What's News at UCA Funds Management
To read the full newsletter please click on the link to the right
January 2012 issue of UCA Funds’ newsletter
Looking ahead after five years in the global economic wilderness
The past five years have been frustrating for sharemarket investors with the S&P/ASX300 Accumulation Index returning -2.4%pa over the period. But despite the eurozone's economic woes there is cause for optimism. Also, UCA Financial Planner, Rod Giri, gives a briefing note on 'transition to retirement' and how investors approaching retirement age can make the most of their superannuation. And as it's Summer, sit back and relax as you take in our 'memories of Summers past' reminiscences.
October 2011 issue of UCA Funds’ newsletter
Debt is the Slavery of The Free
It is unlikely anyone in the year 45 BC ever uttered the term Sovereign Debt Crisis, yet the sentiment of Publilius Syrus’s words remain true to this day. With the solvency of the co-called GIPSI countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Ireland) being called into question, volatility remains high as markets react to the progress (or otherwise) of Eurozone member rescue plans. Yet, beyond the headlines lies reason for optimism. Also in this issue we hear from Dr Lynette Buoy, CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (CFECFW). A longstanding client, CFECFW is the peak body for around 100 organisations that address child and family support services, and was established in 1912. Dr Buoy is an indefatigable campaigner for children’s rights and we are proud to profile in this newsletter the organisation which she represents.
July 2011 issue of UCA Funds’ newsletter
“Whither goest thou, America,…” Although US growth has recently displayed evidence of a pause, Wall Street has, for the June quarter at least, been performing well. It is expected that Main Street will follow. Notwithstanding, it seems that the US may never be the powerhouse it once was. Also, we profile Garry Prigg, CEO of the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre which recently became a client of ours as a result of the Centre being the beneficiary of the $1000 prizemoney received by Goldman Sachs Executive Director, Hamish Tadgell at the ESG Research Australia Awards. Moreover, UCA Funds Management and staff are supporting CPEC in the Run Melbourne fun run on Sunday 17 July.
April 2011 issue of UCA Funds’ newsletter
Climbing the Wall of Worry. The ‘Rip van Winkle’ investor who slept through the past three months may be excused for having expected recent events – Tsunami and Middle East unrest – to wreak havoc on global sharemarkets. Contrary to the sceptics, global policymakers appeared to have engineered a recovery in financial markets. And in a story with a nice piece of circularity about it, Citi Investment Research donated to Oxfam Australia the $1000 first prize it received for taking home the ‘Best ESG Broking Firm as voted by Investment Managers’ Awards at the recent ESG Research Australia Awards in Sydney. The ESGRA Awards, sponsored by UCA Funds Management, are designed to recognise and promote the important part brokers can play in identifying and assessing the impact of environmental, social and governance matters on investments and investment returns.
January 2011 issue of UCA Funds’ newsletter
Road to Recovery. For much of 2010, US economic data was at odds with the anecdotal evidence and profit performance of US corporations writes UCA Funds Management Portfolio Manager, Greg Chapman. However, more recently some of the key domestic indicators in the US – employment and consumption – are showing a much awaited uptick. Find out what he has to say about the outlook 2011. Also, we speak to Jim Palmer, Treasurer of The Religious Society of Friends, more frequently known as the Quakers. The Quakers and Ethical Investing go hand in glove and we look back at the many socially concerned businesses established by Quakers over the years. And finally, we speak to Stephen May, Fundraising Manager of the Epworth Medical Foundation. A hospital at the forefront of medical innovation, Epworth is undertaking a major fundraising capital campaign and is looking for generous individuals (and corporations) to follow in the philanthropic footsteps of its original benefactor, Sir Aaron Danks.
October 2010 issue of UCA Funds’ newsletter
In the latest newsletter titled Deflation – the good, the bad and the ugly, UCA Funds Management Chief Investment Manager Ian Baster analyses the debate currently occupying economists’ time: whether the world is facing the prospect of inflation or deflation. Whilst he argues the case for the former, it is the later which would inflict a heavy toll on indebted nations and individuals alike.
July 2010 issue of UCA Funds’ newsletter
Emission Control. In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in April (and subsequent delayed cleanup) President Obama imposed a six-month moratorium on offshore drilling. Yet the response of a US President to an oil crisis more than 30 years prior shares more than the odd parallel. Our Reminiscences series continues to strike a chord with our readers and in this issue we are fortunate to have shared with us the memories and recollections of another two inspiring readers. And finally, we celebrate 25 years of investing with UCA Cash Portfolio and UCA Growth Portfolio by taking a look back at the newspapers at the time of their inception.
April 2010 issue of UCA Funds’ newsletter
Epic Theatre. Greece, the birthplace of democracy, is now branded the EU’s repository of risk. In what some may call an irony of epic-proportions, Greece now finds itself subject to the prying eyes of its EU partners as well as the IMF as it searches for a way out of its sovereign debt crisis. In doing so, it highlights the absence of (and need for) good governance. Also, we meet the Master of Melbourne University’s Ormond College, the indefatigable Dr Rufus Black. A former partner at management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, Rufus shares with us his thoughts on education, faith, ethics and money and the challenges of the 21st century. And finally, we meet John Goff. John, an investor of many years standing, was so taken by the people and their stories in our recent “reminiscences of the 1930s” series that he sent in his memories of growing up in the Thirties. We are much appreciative of John sharing them with our readers as well.
January 2010 issue of UCA Funds’ newsletter
The Carry Trade. In matters financial, Mark Twain was, he said “more interested in the return of my money than the return on my money”. Chief Investment Manager Ian Baster explores the Carry Trade and its Twain-like “return-of-my-money” (risk) implications and questions the accepted wisdom that the Australian dollar will reach parity with the US dollar some time soon. Also, we pay a visit to Broadmeadows UnitingCare and hear firsthand from Financial Counsellors Rene Ploegmakers and Pam Mutton about their providing of financial advice to people struggling on low incomes; the picture they paint is a long way from the glossy financial services brochures.
October 2009 issue of UCA Funds’ newsletter
Recovery in train. With forecasters steadily ratcheting up their growth figures, read what our Investment Manager has to say on the Australian economy, the US economy and the future direction of the $US. Plus, we give an update on our Ethical Index and ask how has it performed in the past turbulent 12 months?
July 2009 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
The Dance Step has Changed. With recent data flow having shown signs of the green shoots of recovery, the stockmarket responded with a strong 25% rally. But was the market getting ahead of itself? Chief Investment Manager Ian Baster shares his thoughts. We also have the second in our series of interviews with investors who lived through The Great Depression not surprisingly it is an experience which indelibly affects attitudes to money. Plus there’s the review of the Resilient Families Symposium jointly hosted by the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Victoria and the Child and Family Association of Australia.
April 2009 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
The “S” Word…again? The flip side of globalisation’s increasingly synchronised trade and funds flow is the potential for a synchronised global recession. Yet even amidst the Great Recession (as the IMF defines it) there are sufficient green shoots to indicate if not a recovery then an abating of bad news, for those who care to look. We also have the first in a series of interviews with investors who lived through The Great Depression to see what parallels, if any, there are with the challenges that face us now.
January 2009 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
UCA Funds Management’s Chief Investment Manager, Ian Baster together with Fixed Interest & Mortgages Manager, Brian Wilkins provide a detailed rundown of financial markets over the December quarter and the implications of the world’s central banks whatever-it-takes response to the global financial crisis.
November 2008 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
With the economic storm clouds continuing to gather, Portfolio Manager Graeme Rough gives a detailed account of the causes behind what has become known as the GFC, the Global Financial Crisis. We also interview philanthropist and climate change advocate Mark Wootton about how he and his wife Eve are dealing with the ravages of climate change on their Hamilton based property, Jigsaw Farms.
July 2008 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
With the end to one of the most challenging financial years in recent memory, Chief Investment Manager Ian Baster and Fixed Interest & Mortgages Manager Brian Wilkins share their thoughts on the year past and the outlook for the year ahead. Our Portfolio Manager Graeme Rough takes us inside the workings of UCA Funds management’s proprietary Ethical Index.
Hear Red Symons' interview with UCA Funds Management
UCA Funds Management's Marketing Manager Peter Thompson was interviewed by Red Symons on our decision to place Coca Cola Amatil on our list of excluded stocks. Click here to hear the interview.
April 2008 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
In our latest newsletter we ask what implications listed beverage company Coca Cola Amatil’s push into alcohol production has for investors. Also in this issue we speak to Cheryl Lawrie about her role as Alternative Worship Project Worker and how, even amidst some of the most inhospitable places, she finds signs of faith.
January 2008 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
As a complement to UCA Funds management’s sponsorship of UnitingCare Pancake Day, the January issue contains interviews with National Director of UnitingCare Australia, Ms Lin Hatfield Dodds. As well, we speak to David Hickey, Director of Appeals who is responsible for coordinating UnitingCare Pancake Day in Victoria and Tasmania.
October 2007 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
The October issue contains an interview with Dr Mark Zirnsak, Director of the Justice and International Mission Unit. Mark is also Chairman of the Interchurch Gambling Taskforce and a trenchant critic of the lack of funding allocated by the state governments to help alleviate problem gambling.
July 2007 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
The July issue contains an interview with Chris Cuffe, Executive Director of Social Ventures Australia, one of Australia's leading philanthropic organisations.
May 2007 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
The May issue contains an interview with Rev John McRae, Minister at the outer Hobart suburbs of Bridgwater and Gagebrook, one of the poorest regions in Australia.
October 2006 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
The October issue features an insightful interview with Judy Leitch, CEO of Wesley Mission, one of Melbourne's oldest social advocacy groups.
July 2006 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
The July issue of fmn, UCA Funds' quarterly newsletter, contains a profile of Dr Jenny Grounds, Treasurer of the Medical Association for Prevention of War.
April 2006 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
The April issue of UCA Funds' quarterly newsletter contains several interesting stories. There's the regular Investment Update from UCA Funds' Chief Investment Manager, Ian Baster we also discuss UCA Funds' decision to place Woolworths on an ethical investment review plus there's the Profile section which contains a revealing interview with philanthropist and ethics in business campaigner, John Gourlay. In addition we report on UCA Funds' sponsorship activities, namely Friends of The Surf and Donald Uniting Church's FREE KICK Youth Mentoring Program.
January 2006 issue of UCA Funds' newsletter
The January 2006 newsletter contains a frank analysis by Chief Investment Manager Ian Baster of the good and not-so-good news gleaned from global financial markets.