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    <title>ProCapital Rates Insights</title>
    <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog</link>
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    <description>Editorial research and strategy from the ProCapital Rates team — term deposits, fixed income bonds, savings accounts, and ETF analysis for Australian investors.</description>
    <language>en-AU</language>
    <copyright>© 2026 Proficient Capital Pty Ltd</copyright>
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      <title>ProCapital Rates Insights</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Term Deposit Rates In Australia: The 2026 Outlook For Investors</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog/term-deposit-rates-australia-2026-outlook</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://procapitalrates.com/blog/term-deposit-rates-australia-2026-outlook</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>noreply@procapitalrates.com (Daniel Whitcombe)</author>
      <category>Term Deposits</category>
      <description>ProCapital Rates analyses Australia&apos;s term deposit market for 2026 — RBA outlook, top yields, and how SMSFs are positioning for the next rate cycle.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[With the RBA cash rate sitting at multi-year highs, term deposits have re-emerged as a serious income strategy. Here's where rates are heading.

• Top 12-month term deposit rates remain above 5.10% across APRA-regulated providers.

• RBA cash rate forecasts suggest a measured easing cycle through 2026.

• SMSF allocations to term deposits have increased materially over the past 18 months.

• Locking in longer terms now may protect yield as rates normalise.

Australian investors entered 2026 with a rare luxury — genuine yield from cash. After a sustained tightening cycle, term deposit rates from APRA-regulated institutions have settled at levels not seen consistently for over a decade. The question is no longer whether to allocate to term deposits, but how much, and for how long.

Our research desk has tracked weekly rate movements across more than fifty providers. The data tells a clear story: the top of the market has compressed, but yield remains structurally attractive relative to the post-2015 average.

## Where Rates Sit Today

As of April 2026, the highest 12-month term deposit rates from APRA-regulated providers cluster between 5.10% and 5.20% per annum. Specialist banks such as Judo, AMP Bank GO, and Community First continue to lead headline pricing, while the major banks sit roughly 35 to 60 basis points behind.

According to the Reserve Bank of Australia's Statement on Monetary Policy, household deposit balances grew by approximately 6.4% over the past twelve months, reflecting both higher interest rates and a defensive allocation shift.

“We're seeing the most disciplined cash allocation behaviour in over a decade. Investors are no longer chasing speculative yield — they want certainty, and term deposits deliver exactly that.” — Daniel Whitcombe, Head of Research, ProCapital Rates

## The RBA Outlook

Market pricing implied through the ASX 30-Day Interbank Cash Rate Futures suggests two to three rate cuts over the next twelve months, taking the cash rate toward the high 3% range by mid-2027. If this trajectory plays out, today's 5.20% headline rates will look generous in retrospect.

This is precisely why our research team has been recommending that income-focused investors consider laddering — staggering maturities across 6, 12, 24, and 36-month windows to lock in yield without sacrificing flexibility.

## What This Means For SMSFs

Self-managed super funds have been the largest behavioural beneficiary of the rate cycle. Term deposits provide income certainty, regulatory comfort under the Financial Claims Scheme up to $250,000 per ADI, and a transparent paper trail for trustees.

Our team works with trustees to structure deposit ladders that align with pension drawdown schedules, particularly for funds in retirement phase where minimum drawdown obligations require predictable cash flow.

Originally published at https://procapitalrates.com/blog/term-deposit-rates-australia-2026-outlook]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>How SMSF Trustees Are Rebuilding Cash Allocations In 2026</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog/smsf-cash-allocation-strategy</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://procapitalrates.com/blog/smsf-cash-allocation-strategy</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>noreply@procapitalrates.com (Sophie Carter)</author>
      <category>Term Deposits</category>
      <description>SMSF cash strategy for 2026: term deposit ladders, FCS protection, and how ProCapital Rates helps trustees structure compliant income portfolios.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Self-managed super funds are quietly reweighting toward income-bearing cash. Here's how leading trustees are structuring it.

• SMSF cash and term deposit holdings reached approximately $164 billion in late 2025.

• Laddering across 6 to 36-month maturities balances yield and liquidity.

• FCS protection caps at $250,000 per account holder per ADI.

• Documentation discipline remains the most overlooked compliance risk.

There are now over 625,000 self-managed super funds in Australia, collectively managing close to $980 billion in assets. According to the latest ATO SMSF statistical overview, cash and term deposits represent approximately 16.7% of total SMSF assets — the highest proportion in nearly five years.

That shift is not accidental. After a turbulent equity market and a period of bond volatility, trustees are returning to instruments where the outcome is contractually defined.

## The Ladder Strategy

A deposit ladder splits a lump sum across multiple term deposits with staggered maturity dates. The benefit is twofold: a portion of capital becomes available regularly for re-investment or liquidity, while the bulk of the portfolio continues to earn the higher rates typically reserved for longer terms.

For a $1 million allocation, a typical structure might place 25% each into 6, 12, 24, and 36-month deposits. As each tranche matures, it can be re-invested at the prevailing 36-month rate, smoothing the impact of any rate cycle.

“Trustees often ask whether they should chase the highest single rate. The answer is almost always no. A well-structured ladder will outperform a single-term bet through any reasonable rate cycle.” — Sophie Carter, Senior Strategist, ProCapital Rates

## Compliance & Documentation

• Investment Strategy Alignment: Cash allocations must be documented in your fund's investment strategy and reviewed annually.

• FCS Awareness: The Financial Claims Scheme covers up to $250,000 per account holder per ADI — split deposits to maintain protection.

• Trustee Resolutions: Material allocation changes should be supported by signed trustee minutes.

• Maturity Tracking: Maintain a maturity schedule to avoid auto-rollovers at uncompetitive rates.

Originally published at https://procapitalrates.com/blog/smsf-cash-allocation-strategy]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Fixed Income Bonds Explained: A Practical Guide For Australian Investors</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog/fixed-income-bonds-explained</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://procapitalrates.com/blog/fixed-income-bonds-explained</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>noreply@procapitalrates.com (Marcus Lim)</author>
      <category>Fixed Income</category>
      <description>Understand Australian fixed income bonds — government, semi-government, and corporate. Yields, ratings, and portfolio construction from ProCapital Rates.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Government, semi-government, and corporate bonds offer income certainty with capital preservation. Here's how they actually work.

• Government bonds offer the highest credit quality but typically lower yields.

• Investment-grade corporate bonds can offer 100-200bps yield premium.

• Yield-to-maturity is the single most important comparison metric.

• Bond ladders provide income predictability and reinvestment discipline.

A bond is, at its simplest, a loan from you to an issuer — a government, a semi-government authority, or a corporation. In return, you receive scheduled coupon payments and the return of your principal at maturity. The Australian fixed income market is one of the deepest in the Asia-Pacific region, with the AOFM reporting Commonwealth Government Securities on issue exceeding $1 trillion.

## The Three Bond Tiers

• Commonwealth Government Securities: Backed by the Australian Government — the AAA-rated risk-free benchmark.

• Semi-Government Bonds: Issued by state treasury corporations such as TCorp, QTC, and TCV — typically AA+ rated.

• Corporate Bonds: Issued by ASX-listed and unlisted companies, ranging from senior secured to subordinated tiers.

“Most retail investors materially underweight fixed income because they don't understand it. Once you grasp yield-to-maturity and credit rating, the asset class becomes far less intimidating.” — Marcus Lim, Fixed Income Specialist, ProCapital Rates

## Why Yield-To-Maturity Matters

Coupon rate alone is misleading. A bond purchased at a premium delivers a lower effective return than its coupon implies; a bond purchased at a discount delivers more. Yield-to-maturity captures both the income stream and the price impact, giving you the true annualised return if held to maturity.

When comparing bonds across our research desk, YTM is the metric we standardise against — never the headline coupon.

## Building A Bond Allocation

For most Australian investors, a sensible fixed income allocation blends a core of government and semi-government bonds with a satellite of investment-grade corporate names. The core delivers stability; the satellite delivers incremental yield.

We typically construct ladders across 2, 5, 7, and 10-year maturities, weighted to the investor's income horizon and tax position.

Originally published at https://procapitalrates.com/blog/fixed-income-bonds-explained]]></content:encoded>
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    <item>
      <title>High-Interest Savings Accounts: The Real Yield After Bonus Conditions</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog/high-interest-savings-accounts-comparison</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://procapitalrates.com/blog/high-interest-savings-accounts-comparison</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>noreply@procapitalrates.com (Eleanor Hayes)</author>
      <category>Savings</category>
      <description>Compare high-interest savings accounts in Australia. ProCapital Rates breaks down bonus conditions, base rates, and the true yield investors actually earn.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Headline rates on savings accounts can be misleading. Here's how to read the fine print and find genuine yield.

• Headline savings rates often require monthly conditions to apply.

• Base rates without bonus conditions average 1.5% to 2.0%.

• Investor-style accounts with no conditions sit between 4.5% and 5.0%.

• Always model the realistic earned rate — not the advertised rate.

Australia's savings account market is one of the most competitive in the developed world, but it's also one of the most opaque. Headline rates of 5.50% sit alongside conditional bonus structures requiring minimum monthly deposits, debit card transactions, and balance growth — a combination that, in practice, many account holders fail to meet.

Our analysis of 32 advertised accounts found that, when bonus conditions are not met, the average actual rate received drops to approximately 1.85% per annum.

“The single biggest mistake we see is investors assuming the advertised rate is what they'll earn. The fine print on bonus conditions is where the real yield disappears.” — Eleanor Hayes, Banking Analyst, ProCapital Rates

## What To Look For

• Unconditional Base Rate: The rate you earn even if you do nothing — this is your true floor.

• Balance Caps: Many bonus rates apply only up to a balance ceiling, often $250,000.

• Honeymoon Periods: Some accounts offer elevated rates for 4 months only, then revert.

• Linked Account Requirements: Bonus rates may require an active transaction account from the same provider.

## When To Switch To A Term Deposit

If you can confidently set aside funds for 6 to 24 months, a term deposit will almost always deliver a more reliable yield than a conditional savings account. The contractual nature of the rate removes the behavioural risk of missing monthly conditions.

We typically recommend savings accounts only for working capital that genuinely needs at-call access.

Originally published at https://procapitalrates.com/blog/high-interest-savings-accounts-comparison]]></content:encoded>
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    <item>
      <title>ETFs Vs Managed Funds: The Cost Difference That Compounds Over Decades</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog/etfs-vs-managed-funds-australia</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://procapitalrates.com/blog/etfs-vs-managed-funds-australia</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>noreply@procapitalrates.com (Daniel Whitcombe)</author>
      <category>ETFs</category>
      <description>ETFs vs managed funds in Australia — cost analysis, performance, and the long-term compounding impact on portfolio value, by ProCapital Rates.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[A 0.5% annual fee differential might sound small. Over 25 years, it can mean a six-figure difference in retirement balance.

• Australian ETF assets exceeded $230 billion at the start of 2026.

• Average ETF MER is approximately 0.30%; managed funds average 1.10%.

• On a $500K portfolio, the fee differential exceeds $4,000 per year.

• Tax efficiency favours ETFs due to lower portfolio turnover.

The Australian ETF market crossed $230 billion in assets under management in early 2026, driven by both retail and institutional flows. The structural appeal is well understood: low fees, intraday liquidity, and broad index exposure in a single trade. What's less appreciated is the cumulative impact of fee compression on long-horizon outcomes.

## The Fee Compounding Problem

Consider two investors, each starting with $500,000. Both earn an underlying market return of 7% per annum. Investor A holds an ETF portfolio with a blended MER of 0.30%. Investor B holds a managed fund portfolio with a blended MER of 1.10%.

Over 25 years, Investor A's portfolio grows to approximately $2.55 million. Investor B's portfolio grows to approximately $2.10 million. The 0.80% annual fee differential, compounded, produces a $450,000 gap.

“The fee question is not academic. For a typical retiree, the difference between a low-cost ETF portfolio and a high-cost managed fund portfolio is often the difference between running out of money and leaving an estate.” — Daniel Whitcombe, Head of Research, ProCapital Rates

## Where Managed Funds Still Win

ETFs are not universally superior. In genuinely inefficient markets — small-cap emerging markets, certain credit segments, infrastructure — active management has demonstrated persistent alpha net of fees. Our research team allocates to active strategies selectively where the structural opportunity justifies the cost.

Originally published at https://procapitalrates.com/blog/etfs-vs-managed-funds-australia]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>How The RBA Cash Rate Actually Flows Through To Your Deposit</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog/rba-cash-rate-impact-on-deposits</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://procapitalrates.com/blog/rba-cash-rate-impact-on-deposits</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>noreply@procapitalrates.com (Marcus Lim)</author>
      <category>Market Insights</category>
      <description>Understand how RBA cash rate decisions impact term deposit and savings rates in Australia. ProCapital Rates explains the transmission mechanism.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[When the RBA moves the cash rate, deposit rates don't always follow in lockstep. Here's how the transmission really works.

• Deposit rate pass-through is asymmetric — slower on the way up, faster on the way down.

• Wholesale funding markets often lead deposit rate moves by weeks.

• Specialist banks adjust rates more aggressively than the majors.

• Locking in before a cut cycle preserves yield.

When the Reserve Bank of Australia announces a change to the cash rate target, headlines focus on mortgage repayments. The deposit side of the ledger receives less attention but matters enormously to income-focused investors. Understanding the transmission mechanism is critical to timing reinvestment decisions.

## The Transmission Channels

• Wholesale Funding Costs: Banks fund themselves through a mix of deposits and wholesale debt — both move with the cash rate.

• Bank Bill Swap Rate (BBSW): The 90-day BBSW is the reference rate for institutional pricing and leads retail deposit moves.

• Competitive Dynamics: Specialist banks chasing deposit growth often lead the market, forcing majors to follow.

• Deposit Mix Strategy: Banks adjust which products they price aggressively based on their funding needs.

“By the time the RBA actually cuts, term deposit rates have usually already moved. Investors who wait for the official announcement to lock in are typically too late.” — Marcus Lim, Fixed Income Specialist, ProCapital Rates

Originally published at https://procapitalrates.com/blog/rba-cash-rate-impact-on-deposits]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>The Financial Claims Scheme: What&apos;s Actually Protected, And What Isn&apos;t</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog/financial-claims-scheme-explained</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://procapitalrates.com/blog/financial-claims-scheme-explained</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>noreply@procapitalrates.com (Sophie Carter)</author>
      <category>Term Deposits</category>
      <description>How the Australian Financial Claims Scheme protects deposits up to $250,000 per ADI. Practical structuring tips from ProCapital Rates.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[The $250,000 government guarantee on deposits is widely misunderstood. Here's exactly how the FCS works.

• FCS protection is capped at $250,000 per account holder per ADI.

• Joint accounts are treated as having two separate $250,000 caps.

• Coverage applies to deposits — not investment products like bonds or shares.

• Splitting balances across multiple ADIs preserves protection above the cap.

The Financial Claims Scheme is one of the most important pieces of investor protection in the Australian financial system, but it's also one of the most frequently misquoted. Activated in 2008 during the global financial crisis, the scheme guarantees deposits up to $250,000 per account holder per Authorised Deposit-taking Institution.

## How The Cap Works

The $250,000 limit applies per account holder, per ADI — not per account. If you hold $200,000 in a savings account and $200,000 in a term deposit at the same bank, your total covered amount is $250,000, not $400,000.

Joint accounts are treated more generously. A joint account is considered to have two separate $250,000 caps, one for each holder.

“Investors with substantial cash holdings need to actively structure across multiple ADIs. The protection is generous, but it isn't automatic — it requires deliberate placement.” — Sophie Carter, Senior Strategist, ProCapital Rates

## Beyond The Cap

For investors with deposits exceeding the cap, structuring across multiple ADIs is the most direct solution. A married couple with $1 million to allocate could comfortably structure across two ADIs in joint names, fully protected.

Our team routinely structures multi-ADI ladders for SMSF and high-net-worth clients to ensure full FCS coverage while still accessing the highest available rates.

Originally published at https://procapitalrates.com/blog/financial-claims-scheme-explained]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Building A Retirement Income Strategy With Defensive Assets</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog/retirement-income-strategy-australia</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://procapitalrates.com/blog/retirement-income-strategy-australia</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>noreply@procapitalrates.com (Eleanor Hayes)</author>
      <category>Market Insights</category>
      <description>How Australian retirees structure income portfolios with term deposits, bonds, and dividend equity. Practical guidance from ProCapital Rates.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Retirement isn't about maximising return — it's about engineering reliable cash flow. Here's how to structure it.

• Retirees typically need 60-70% of pre-retirement income.

• A bucket strategy separates short-term income from long-term growth.

• Term deposits and bonds form the foundation of the income bucket.

• Sequencing risk is the single biggest threat to early retirement.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia estimates a comfortable retirement requires approximately $73,000 per year for a couple and $52,000 for a single. Generating that income reliably, year after year, requires a different mindset to the accumulation phase.

The single greatest risk in early retirement is sequencing risk — the danger that a major market drawdown in the first few years forces the sale of growth assets at depressed prices, permanently impairing portfolio longevity.

## The Bucket Approach

• Bucket 1 — Short-Term: 2-3 years of living expenses in cash and short-dated term deposits. Insulates from market volatility.

• Bucket 2 — Medium-Term: 5-7 years of expenses in bonds and longer-dated term deposits. Generates income while preserving capital.

• Bucket 3 — Long-Term: Remaining capital in growth assets — equities, property, ETFs — for inflation protection.

“The bucket strategy isn't elegant, but it's effective. It gives retirees the psychological permission to hold growth assets through volatility, because they know their next three years of income is already locked in.” — Eleanor Hayes, Banking Analyst, ProCapital Rates

Originally published at https://procapitalrates.com/blog/retirement-income-strategy-australia]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Inside The Australian Corporate Bond Market: Where Yield Lives</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog/australian-corporate-bond-market-guide</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://procapitalrates.com/blog/australian-corporate-bond-market-guide</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>noreply@procapitalrates.com (Marcus Lim)</author>
      <category>Fixed Income</category>
      <description>Australian corporate bond market guide — credit ratings, sector exposures, and yield premiums explained by ProCapital Rates research.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Corporate bonds offer a meaningful yield premium over government debt — if you understand the credit landscape.

• Australian corporate bond issuance exceeded $90 billion in 2025.

• Major bank senior debt yields approximately 100-140bps over Commonwealth Government Securities.

• Sector concentration in financials remains a portfolio construction challenge.

• Subordinated and Tier 2 bonds offer higher yield with defined capital structure risk.

The Australian corporate bond market has matured materially over the past decade, with annual issuance crossing $90 billion in 2025 according to the Australian Office of Financial Management's wider market commentary. For investors prepared to look beyond government and semi-government debt, the corporate market offers meaningful incremental yield.

## Reading The Credit Stack

• Senior Secured: Top of the capital structure, backed by specific assets. Lowest yield, highest recovery in default.

• Senior Unsecured: The bulk of the investment-grade market. Modest yield premium.

• Subordinated (Tier 2): Ranks below senior debt. Materially higher yield, higher loss-given-default.

• Hybrid / AT1: Bank capital instruments with conversion features. Higher complexity, equity-like risk in stress.

“Most retail investors are over-concentrated in major bank hybrids without realising the capital structure risk they're taking. A diversified corporate bond allocation needs deliberate sector and seniority spread.” — Marcus Lim, Fixed Income Specialist, ProCapital Rates

Originally published at https://procapitalrates.com/blog/australian-corporate-bond-market-guide]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Constructing A Core-Satellite ETF Portfolio For Australian Investors</title>
      <link>https://procapitalrates.com/blog/etf-portfolio-construction-australia</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://procapitalrates.com/blog/etf-portfolio-construction-australia</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>noreply@procapitalrates.com (Daniel Whitcombe)</author>
      <category>ETFs</category>
      <description>ETF portfolio construction for Australian investors — core-satellite framework, asset allocation, and rebalancing rules from ProCapital Rates.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[A disciplined ETF portfolio doesn't need to be complicated. The right four to six funds can do most of the work.

• A four-fund core can deliver global diversification at under 0.20% MER.

• Satellite allocations should not exceed 25% of the portfolio.

• Rebalance annually or on 5% drift thresholds — whichever comes first.

• Tax considerations matter more than fund selection at the margin.

Portfolio construction often suffers from over-engineering. The reality, supported by decades of research from Vanguard, BlackRock, and Australian academic studies, is that asset allocation drives roughly 90% of long-term returns. Fund selection within an asset class drives the remainder.

## The Four-Fund Core

• Australian Equity ETF: Broad ASX 200 or 300 exposure — 25-35% of portfolio.

• Global Developed Markets ETF: Hedged or unhedged depending on currency view — 30-40%.

• Emerging Markets ETF: Optional growth exposure — 5-10%.

• Fixed Income ETF: Australian or global aggregate bond exposure — 20-30%.

“The most common portfolio construction mistake we see is too many overlapping funds. Holding twelve ETFs that all track variations of the same index isn't diversification — it's expensive duplication.” — Daniel Whitcombe, Head of Research, ProCapital Rates

## Rebalancing Discipline

Rebalancing forces you to sell what has appreciated and buy what has lagged — the disciplined opposite of behavioural investing. Annual rebalancing or 5% drift thresholds are both valid frameworks; the key is consistency.

For taxable accounts, consider directing new contributions to underweight assets rather than selling appreciated ones — this minimises capital gains tax friction.

Originally published at https://procapitalrates.com/blog/etf-portfolio-construction-australia]]></content:encoded>
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