Check out what’s happening in the world this week, plus what it means for you and your investments. (2:41 min read)

This information does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if the relevant investment is appropriate having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.

 

1. Australia’s perennial super problem

A Productivity Commission report has revealed the shortcomings of our superannuation system.

Most of the problems identified are eating into members’ super balances. Whether it’s the billions wasted in unnecessary fees, or the millions of accidental accounts floating around.

What does this mean for my super?

The key findings to reflect on are:

• the multiple super accounts (which tends to happen inadvertently if you’ve had a few jobs) plus;
• underperforming funds.

We believe the best defence anyone can have against these inefficiencies is to be engaged and educated.

Now is the time to build up your financial literacy by arming yourself with relevant knowledge. It’ll help you choose a super fund that’s catered to your needs.

What does this mean if you’re invested with AtlasTrend?

At the moment, AtlasTrend does not have a superannuation product. Although, we are actively considering starting a superannuation fund to help address the issues raised in the Productivity Commission’s report. Stay tuned.

 

2. Technology giants

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on global technology companies to use their influence for the betterment of society.

He asked tech giants Microsoft, IBM and Facebook to help improve “social situations, inequalities, climate change”.

What does this mean if you’re invested in the stock market?

In the past, investing in the stock market has been about making a financial return.

However, we believe business in the 21st century is changing. Consumers are more socially aware and expect large corporations to drive society forward.

We think President Macron’s statements are becoming popular opinion, reinforcing the idea that businesses should profit with purpose.

The halo effect of this could have meaningful impact for stock market investors.

The most successful investments going forward might not be in companies solely focused on generating the most profit at all costs.

What does this mean if you’re invested with AtlasTrend?

AtlasTrend’s managed funds are built around trends that are impacting millions (if not billions) of people globally over the next decade.

We believe these trends are disrupting the status quo and changing how we live. In particular, the Clean Disruption Fund is directly focused on investing in companies generating cleaner energy, or that use clean energy in a disruptive way.

This directly addresses the climate change issue and follows the path of profit for a broader purpose.

3. Apple’s answer to smartphone addiction

Apple announced a lot of exciting updates at their annual developer conference. The features aimed at curbing smartphone addiction stood out from the rest.

What does this mean if you’re invested in Apple shares?

It’s uncommon for businesses to actively discourage customers from using their products frequently

Apple’s proactive step to help users manage screen time will help with sustained product adoption and growth.

Apple is also ramping up their efforts in the smart speaker space, which provides a viable alternative to smartphones and tablets for some tasks.

What does this mean if you’re invested with AtlasTrend?

Two of AtlasTrend’s managed funds invest in Apple shares.

We believe smartphone addiction could become an increasingly negative social issue, particularly among younger users.

We applaud both Apple and Google for tackling this pressing societal concern.

As with any technology, there can be positives and negatives.

From an investment perspective, the key is to understand whether technology providers will openly acknowledge negative aspects of their products and help resolve those issues.

That is what will help build a long-term, sustainable business.

 

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