Altius Capital

Markets in 2026
Have not commented for awhile but read some interesting articles during a volatile week for markets this week with key takeaways for investors.
The financial markets have been supported by Policy Intervention, (GFC, Pandemic etc) but this just raises the bar for systemic risk, as shocks get absorbed without deleveraging/losses...leading to a larger eventual correction (?), when policy makers do not have the ability to continue to intervene?
I have long held that as the fact change so should your portfolio. In this market the set and forget Balanced/ Growth portfolio are not optimized for return but to diversify risk assuming asset classes are not correlated. Maybe they are?
I prefer a more active approach around risk optimization rather than return maximization. Simply put, can I get the same or a better return but with less, say 1/4 of the risk?
Finally Gold. Ignored by many and not part of most portfolios unless the manager bought Newmont or Northern Star as part of their ASX allocation. With all sorts of risk globally in trade and monetary policies, this is a real asset that has been purchased by reserve banks globally, and those who may not have trust in other assets.....note the long queues at Bullion exchanges. We see support for current prices and if we were a producer of gold, with our costs in control, our economic resource expanding (higher gold price = lower grade cutoff) and an increasing price for our product, we would be very enthusiastic about our balance sheet and P&L for the next 12 months

Democracy - something you cannot take for granted?
I watched this get painted a week ago.
There are times we take for granted our right to self determination, that the Police will enforce the law, that we will have rights upheld, freedom of thought and access to due legal process.
I wish those younger democracies wanting to 'protect their freedoms gained' all the best, and those sent to fight in a battle they do not necessarily believe in, a swift end to hostilities.
Utter madness what is going on in Ukraine.

Pop the Bonnet.
Interest rates on the rise, or will something else trigger a slow down, and cause rates to remain low? Either way, it is a god time to make sure you are positioned to benefit from any changes, and also ensure you are not overly exposed to areas or investments that may struggle.

Will 2020 be remembered at the year of the great Toilet Paper wars?

Fighting in the streets? Bootleg toilet paper being shipped in across the border. Armed guards in the hygiene aisle?

In every good panic there are opportunities. Lift your eyes, rmember to maintain good hygiene, and set your portfolios for a recovery.

Lets face it. If you are a catastrophist, and this is the end, what is the use of having a pile of cash you can not spend, and a house full of toilet paper?
What you should be doing is stocking up with beer and ice!!