Investments

Think you may need financial advice? Watch this step-by-step video showing the process of getting financial advice through Milestone Direct. Read more Read more

We believe that advice should be affordable and accessible wherever you are in New Zealand. To do this we embrace technology to deliver a low cost, high quality service. At Milestone Direct our advisers are trained and obliged to put your interests first. We are here to ensure your financial goals are understood and an appropriate financial recommendation is presented to you and your family:... Read more Read more

Part 6 of a series of 8 videos where Assoc Prof David Tripe of Massey University discusses mortgages with Milestone Direct Limited. Read more Read more

Arguably, your financial success is more determined by your behaviour and attitude about money than your income. So, what are the signs that you will be financially successful? 1. You make yourself a priority As soon as it’s pay day, you should pay your own savings and investment accounts first. Why is this a good idea? Firstly, it converts your saving money... Read more Read more

With the global bull market in equities entering its 10^th year since the financial meltdown of 2008, we have lived through an era of long-term positive investment returns. No matter what has been thrown at these markets over that time, they have (almost) serenely sailed on to new highs. Volatility has all but disappeared and investment returns have been remarkably consistent... Read more Read more

A few down days in financial markets and a drumbeat of “doom and gloom” from the media can be enough for a typical investor to throw in the towel. Even though the Global Financial Crisis and widespread collapse of finance companies was a decade ago, for some the memories can seem like yesterday. It's not easy to hold your nerve as you watch share markets plunge – but 'stay calm' really is good... Read more Read more

KiwiSaver is now well entrenched in New Zealand savings culture. However, there are a multitude of New Zealanders who, for a variety of reasons, still do not fully understand how it works. We have looked back over the past five years at the questions we get regularly asked and have compiled answers to these common misconceptions. Can I continue to contribute after age 65? ... Read more Read more

The financial markets took a tumble over the past month and have since recovered much of what was lost. However, many in the media largely focussed on the share market falls, talking it up as being catastrophic and unprecedented and warning of impending doom and gloom. However, the recent market fall (technically called a correction) is perfectly normal and historically occurs when... Read more Read more

A report recently sent by QV has shown the property trends that we’ve become used to are finally starting to change. This could mean major things for first home buyers, especially those who live in large city centres. The key change reported is that housing is becoming more affordable for home buyers due to the following reasons: Changes in growth rates or property The... Read more Read more

We have seen a substantial rise in investment portfolios over the past 12 months. However, a new government is now in place and it intends to make a number of sweeping changes to the social structure of New Zealand. We know from past experience that there is a long-term trend line with investment values for different assets and if markets rise or fall too dramatically, then they will... Read more Read more

History shows that investors tend to do the opposite of what works. Prior to the Global Financial Crisis, when stocks were expensive, everyone was piling in. After the crash, when they were cheap, they were selling (which is of course why stocks were cheap). That pattern is repeated throughout history. As much as we might recognise it, somehow it never changes. It’s odd, when you... Read more Read more

Investment scams can happen to anyone. They’re often very sophisticated. The people involved sound credible and the websites look very professional, usually including testimonials from other investors. It can be hard to tell a scam apart from a genuine investment opportunity. What to look out for The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) advises that an 'investment' is likely to be... Read more Read more

Bob (not his real name) is a consultant who lives in Christchurch. He’s invested in shares for many years, owns his own home, and is in KiwiSaver. Recently, Bob lost $67,000 through a ‘boiler room’ share scam after an overseas company called him, offering him the chance to invest in a pharmaceutical firm. He said no, but out of interest, researched the company online... Read more Read more

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) is always closely reviewed by Milestone financial advisers. The MPS is a quarterly assessment by our Reserve Bank of what they believe is happening in NZ, internationally, and the impact upon our financial stability. The February 2017 MPS signals a ‘steady as she goes’ approach for the remainder... Read more Read more

2016 saw New Zealand named the world’s best place to live as ranked by the Legatum Prosperity Index. This has now been followed by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report that ranks New Zealanders the fifth richest people in the world. New Zealand has leapfrogged the UK, Singapore and Belgium to be fifth. The Swiss remain the world’s wealthiest at $US562,000 total household wealth, ahead... Read more Read more

2016 was a roller coaster year for the financial markets. Things went up, but also down, and as a result it was not a stellar year for investment portfolios. The world was fixated by Brexit and the US presidential elections. The markets held their breath as we moved into uncharted territory. There is bound to be longer term fall out from these two major events, but for us in New Zealand... Read more Read more