I am not Bobby Axelrod!

So like many others who have been locked down due to isolation and Covid restrictions, I have taken up the 30 day trial with Stan as I have pretty well exhausted Netflix, Foxtel and Google movies. There are a couple of shows that aren't available on the other streaming platforms. Due to my love of finance I had to make sure I got a look at Billions which has been running for 5 seasons already.

The main character is Bobby Axelrod who runs his own hedge fund- Axe Capital and aside from the personal dramas of running a New York based hedge fund, the show also gives an insight into the tactics and strategies of how these “professional asset managers” parley, hedge, short, arbitrage (don't ask me what these terms mean) and use any other means of making money even if it greatly affects family's and communities. Yes, I know it is a television show but in my dealings with clients and managing significant retirement assets on behalf of them, I am sure that some clients get me confused with Bobby Axelrod.

I get many requests to research W.A. mining companies, Bitcoin, start up technology stocks and any other number of speculative and risky assets. I get that clients want an involvement in their retirement funds, but seeking advice in these kinds of assets is definitely outside the scope of how we manage retirement funds.

Our asset allocation approach focussed on domestic and international companies and real estate assets as well as defensive cash funds means that our investment process is stable and consistent. Our broadly diversified exposure to low cost index funds offers the market exposure that clients need for a retirement that needs to cover 30 odd years of rising costs. Even in times of uncertainty like we have now, these strategies are tried and tested and risking your capital with speculation is not going to be an option on our watch as it never adds significant value to client positions. This opinion is based upon my 3 decades experience in managing retirement funds to make sure that they last a lifetime.

So if you ever get an urge to discuss the prospects of a mining stock or the next big thing to come out of Silicon Valley, just put it to the back of your mind and feel confident in the processes that we have developed over many years.