A recent article in The Australian titled “AI threat forces super funds to confront massive Canva valuation writedown” raises an important question about how some super funds value their investments. Many Industry Super Funds hold large positions in unlisted assets, including private technology companies, which are typically valued periodically using internal models rather than continuous market pricing. When markets move quickly — such as with the recent disruption to software companies from artificial intelligence — those valuation changes may not immediately appear in reported balances. This raises a key question for investors: do you prefer smoother returns, or transparent market pricing?

Global markets experienced a volatile February as investors navigated a mix of trade uncertainty, technology sector disruption driven by rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. At the same time, Australia’s reporting season delivered a mix of strong and disappointing results, while persistent inflation continues to influence interest rate expectations. In our latest Market Insights update, we explore the key events shaping markets and what investors should be watching in the months ahead.

As the end of the financial year approaches, the temporary full expensing rules will be coming to an end. Considering this, we explore the options that are now available for small and medium businesses to optimise their tax deductions.