Invest
How can I better manage my portfolio?
Managing your own portfolio means you can minimise fees and maximise returns, but if you’re not using the right tools, you could be creating more work for yourself. Here are some handy ways to make investing easier.

How can I better manage my portfolio?
Managing your own portfolio means you can minimise fees and maximise returns, but if you’re not using the right tools, you could be creating more work for yourself. Here are some handy ways to make investing easier.

If you’re a retail investor in Australia and you’re not using technology, you are probably missing out. There are plenty of new investing tools that are out there for the DIY investor that can make life easier.
Whether it’s using an online broker to execute your trades instead of a full service stockbroker or using one of the many portfolio management tools to help you work out your investment position, it’s becoming easier to manage your investments online.
Some tools are now free but if they’re not, the cost is probably tax deductible.
What’s in it for you? More control over the investment process and a chance to bypass the middle men. Certainly, it’s important to get good advice, but if you are an engaged investor who has even a moderate ability to use technology, there are digital tools out there that can make building your portfolio and managing your investments easier. Here’s four I use.
Sharesight is online portfolio management software that lets you keep track of all of your stock market portfolios, even if you use a number of brokers. It runs sophisticated analytics on your holdings and best of all, it integrates with your accountant’s software, enabling streamlined reporting at tax time. That’s one regular nightmare avoided. The charge is between zero (if you hold less than ten stocks) and $39 a month for more demanding portfolios.
Stockspot offers a completely online and automated investment advice and funds management service. It exploits the ‘robo’ element of robo advice. You fill in your profile and then you get advice in the form of a Stockspot portfolio, which invests in a diverse range of low-fee Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), for which the annual costs are among the lowest of any financial product. The investment choices are constantly reviewed to ensure you have access to the best possible return and diversification opportunities. Stockspot doesn’t charge brokerage making professional portfolio management accessible to more cost conscious investors.
Livewire says it’s Australia’s first social media platform for investors and market professionals, providing investing and trading insights for investors. Livewire is essentially a platform that gives direct access to the research of some of the best minds in the funds management community – all for free. The website gives investors direct access to stock ideas and to the exclusive insights of Australia’s leading investment professionals. The daily newsletter is a useful read to help keep you ahead of investments and financial markets with lots of expert advice and views.
StockLight is an app developed by software engineer Jason Kotchoff with help from the people at Intelligent Investor. It helps you track your portfolio and research new ideas with key data right at your fingertips, including notifications when your portfolio companies make announcements. StockLight’s key feature is that it rates ASX-listed shares with the traffic light system. “It’s not a stock-picking tool, it’s a launching pad for further research” is what they say. Essentially, it acts as a proprietary system which helps you find opportunities and evaluate your portfolio health. It charges just under $14 a month for its basic service.
Tim Eisenhauer, managing director, OnMarket BookBuilds

Stock market
Beware the reversal of the sharemarket rally, expert says
The companies that offer the greatest risk for investors in 2021 are somewhat ironically many of the same companies that have provided the greatest return to investors in 2020, an expert has warned. ...Read more

Stock market
Is climate change the next big investment theme?
Investors looking to outperform the market are being urged to look at structural growth, with climate change likely to create the biggest investment opportunity since the internet, an industry expert ...Read more

Stock market
All Ords set for new record by February, analyst predicts
The Australian market is likely to reach a new record in the early months of the year, with a win on the health front likely to offset geopolitical issues, an analyst has stated. ...Read more

Stock market
Aussies flock to fixed interest and ETP products for stable returns
Investors seeking stability during the COVID-19 pandemic have turned to fixed interest and cash exchange-traded products, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Stock market
Emerging market equities gain traction in post-pandemic world
Emerging market equities are making a comeback as technology-savvy consumers flock to capitalise on new opportunities that the 2020 pandemic may have made too attractive to ignore. ...Read more

Stock market
Is it too late to start investing in market index ETFs?
With the Australian market recovering its losses since the pandemic began, nestegg asked an industry expert if it was too late for investors to begin their investing journey. ...Read more

Stock market
Is it time to buy reopening stocks?
Investors are being advised to look into stocks that could benefit from markets reopening, an analyst has stated. ...Read more

Stock market
Stocks to watch in 2021
Easing political uncertainty, new vaccine hopes, central bank’s willingness to do all it takes and more, and new stimulus packages are likely to act as tailwinds for investors, an analyst has said. ...Read more

Stock market
Beware the reversal of the sharemarket rally, expert says
The companies that offer the greatest risk for investors in 2021 are somewhat ironically many of the same companies that have provided the greatest return to investors in 2020, an expert has warned. ...Read more

Stock market
Is climate change the next big investment theme?
Investors looking to outperform the market are being urged to look at structural growth, with climate change likely to create the biggest investment opportunity since the internet, an industry expert ...Read more

Stock market
All Ords set for new record by February, analyst predicts
The Australian market is likely to reach a new record in the early months of the year, with a win on the health front likely to offset geopolitical issues, an analyst has stated. ...Read more

Stock market
Aussies flock to fixed interest and ETP products for stable returns
Investors seeking stability during the COVID-19 pandemic have turned to fixed interest and cash exchange-traded products, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Stock market
Emerging market equities gain traction in post-pandemic world
Emerging market equities are making a comeback as technology-savvy consumers flock to capitalise on new opportunities that the 2020 pandemic may have made too attractive to ignore. ...Read more

Stock market
Is it too late to start investing in market index ETFs?
With the Australian market recovering its losses since the pandemic began, nestegg asked an industry expert if it was too late for investors to begin their investing journey. ...Read more

Stock market
Is it time to buy reopening stocks?
Investors are being advised to look into stocks that could benefit from markets reopening, an analyst has stated. ...Read more

Stock market
Stocks to watch in 2021
Easing political uncertainty, new vaccine hopes, central bank’s willingness to do all it takes and more, and new stimulus packages are likely to act as tailwinds for investors, an analyst has said. ...Read more