"One of the most important, but difficult, aspects of long term investing is learning to not let day-to-day market chatter and scaremongering media headlines affect your long term strategies" says Ashley Owen - Owen Analytics in his monthly look at The Big Picture

Going against our behavioural instincts is difficult and it’s no different for contrarian investing. Lukasz de Pourbaix (Fidelity International) explains why investors should consider contrarian strategies in a portfolio

"Investors enjoyed unusually high returns in the past couple of decades because everyasset class posted above average returns in the low inflation era we have just enjoyed, but what now?" asks Ashley Owen. Find out more

Emily Barlow (Perpetual Private) and Russel Pillemer (Pengana Capital) discuss how private markets and illiquid assets can fit into a portfolio

There are a number of advantages to thematic investing, but also risks. Cameron Gleeson (BetaShares) explains how advisers can think about incorporating investment themes into a diversified portfolio.

"Every year there are ‘End of the world’, or ‘End of life as we know it’ crises and threats that scare investors into waiting and watching from the sidelines. Are the current batch of threats different this time?" asks Ashley Owen

"Despite continual threatning market messages - almost all of the main asset classes are doing  well this year, beating inflation, and most are even doing better than their long-term averages", reports Ashley Owen

"Despite constant doom and gloom in the media headlines this year, most asset classes are ahead in 2023, and most are ahead of inflation", says Ashley Owen

It’s no easy undertaking to win the prestigious Licensee Managed Account category in the IMAP Managed Accounts Awards, but Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Australia has done it for a second consecutive year - a first by any licensee in this category.

What should advice groups consider when reviewing their managed accout program to assess whether or not the program is still achieving its objectives and working as well as it should?

While media headlines warn of possible global recessions ahead, global profits are booming! There appear to be no obvious signs of impending recession in the latest profit results, or profit outlooks. "What is behind the numbers?" asks Ashley Owen

"The US is still critically important to the overall global picture as US companies make up 60% of the global stock market value. Are the latest US profits allowing for a slowdown?" asks Ashley Owen

"While big super funds pour billions into stock picking, they’re still being beaten by investors with a portfolio of simple ETFs" says Chris Byrcki Founder & CEO of Stockspot