Investing on facts not FOMO

Shane Lee • January 12, 2022

Prices for property, cryptocurrencies and shares have all hit records recently. While great news for investors, there’s always a risk that some people will jump into the market because they are afraid of missing out on easy money.

FOMO, or the fear of missing out, has always been around on financial markets, but social media and reality television have taken it to a whole new level.

In the lead-up to the 1929 Wall Street Crash, the saying was that when the shoeshine boy or taxi drivers started giving you share tips, it was a sure sign the market was running ahead of itself. Rather than a signal to buy, it was probably time to bail out or bide your time.

These days, social media has become the new shoeshine boy.

A long history
This fear of missing out goes back even further to the mid-1600s Dutch tulip market bubble. At its height, the cost of the rarest tulip bulb was the equivalent of six times the average wage. People rushed to buy tulips on credit for fear of missing out. Inevitably, the tulip bubble burst, devastating investors and the Dutch economy.

A much more recent example of a market getting overheated was the dotcom boom at the turn of the century when people paid top dollar for shares in companies with no history of profits.

Two decades later, and there are concerns that FOMO may be a factor in the rise of property, shares and cryptocurrencies. Over the past year, Australian house prices have jumped 22 per cent on average and more in some parts of the country. (i) People are scared that if they don’t get in now, then they will never get a foot on the property ladder.

Global share price to earnings (PE) ratios are also at high levels. Some argue that high prices are justified by low interest rates while others worry that some companies may be valued on an overly optimistic view of future earnings.(ii)

Cryptocurrencies are complex
But it’s the focus on cryptocurrencies that has some market veterans concerned, not least because these are complex new instruments that are not well understood.

At the end of the day, you should always understand where you are putting your money and how it fits your investment objectives and risk profile. If a big drop in price would keep you awake at night, then crypto may not be for you.

In its typically understated style, the Reserve Bank has warned that “the current speculative demand for cryptocurrencies and their surge in value is likely to reverse”.(iii)

Meme stocks are also an area of concern. These are companies made popular with retail investors through social media sites like Reddit. Examples include AMC and Gamestop.

They are what used to be called pump-and-dump stocks, popularised in the movie The Wolf of Wall St. The only investors to really benefit are those who got in at the beginning and sold in time to realise their gains; not the ones who bought at the peak of the frenzy.

Think long term
Investments should always reflect your long-term objectives. Jumping from one investment to another just because somebody says it’s a good thing can be dangerous.

In the words of Warren Buffett, it pays to be counterintuitive with the market. Rather than follow the crowd “be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful”.

But humans being human, tend to do the opposite and pay the price. It’s an age-old maxim that in the long run, growth assets like shares and property tend to outperform other asset classes. You won’t enjoy those long-term gains if you are buying and selling in reaction to short-term market moves.

That’s not to say you should set and forget your investments. For instance, when the market is booming, it may present an opportunity to realise some of your gains, sell any duds, and reinvest the proceeds when bargains emerge.

If you are considering an investment but unsure about its worth or where it might sit within your overall portfolio, give us a call.

The information in this article does not take into account your objectives, needs and circumstances. We recommend that you obtain investment and taxation advice specific to your investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs before making any investment decision or acting on any of the information contained in this document. Subject to law, Capstone Financial Planning nor their directors, employees or authorised representatives gives any representation or warranty as to the reliability, accuracy or completeness of the information; or accepts any responsibility for any person acting, or refraining from acting, on the basis of the information contained in this document. Principal Wealth Management Pty Ltd trading as BMO Financial Solutions ABN 53 109 336 601 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 277821) of Capstone Financial Planning Pty Ltd ABN 24 093 733 969 Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) No. 223135.

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Do you know how your super is performing?

By Nikki Ashurst • November 2, 2026
Many Australians don't know how their super fund has performed or what it invests in. Are you one of them? Here's what to check and why it matters. Do you know how your super fund performed over the last two years? Many Australians don’t and are working towards their financial future without fully understanding one of their most important assets and without a clear plan for how their super may support them in retirement. That's not surprising, as many people view super as something that should run quietly in the background while they're busy with careers, families and everything else that life throws at them. But when you’re not sure what’s happening behind your balance, it’s harder to know whether you’re on track, whether your current approach reflects your goals or what opportunities might be available to help you make the most of what you’ve built so far. Your super isn't sitting in an account, it's invested Super is invested by a fund on your behalf across a mix of assets, with those investments working to grow your balance over time. Those include: Shares Ownership in Australian and international publicly listed companies. Their value can rise and fall, sometimes substantially over short periods but shares can provide capital growth over the long term. Property and infrastructure Real assets like office buildings, shopping centres, airports and energy networks. They can produce income and don't always behave in the same way as share markets, helping diversify investment holdings. Fixed interest and bonds Lending to governments and companies in return for interest. They can provide regular income and be steadier than shares, although returns and risk vary depending on the investment. Cash Generally, the most stable and lowest risk investment type. It can provide stability and faster access to money but typically offers lower longer term return potential. The investment option you choose determines the mix of assets held in your super based on your risk appetite. Most super funds offer options from conservative to high growth. If you’re young, a growth option with a higher exposure to growth assets like shares could offer higher returns over time – but it also comes with higher risk. As retirement nears, you might want to consider a more conservative approach with more defensive assets, like bonds for example to protect your savings. If you've never made a choice, you're probably in your fund's default option, which is designed to suit a broad membership. It’s worth knowing whether the mix you're in matches your circumstances and goals, including how far you are from retirement. Why performance alone is not a true comparison If you're thinking about how your super compares, returns are often where people start. The trouble is that a return figure means nothing without context: What it's being compared to Growth and conservative options invest differently and with different levels of risk. Compare like with like or the comparison may not be genuine. The comparison period A single year can be heavily influenced by short term market conditions. Super is measured in decades, so five, seven and ten year returns tell you far more about whether a fund is consistently doing its job, albeit not a predictor of future performance. Fees and tax Published returns should reflect investment fees, costs and tax but administration fees may be charged separately from your balance. Two funds quoting the same return can leave you in meaningfully different places once all fees are accounted for. Then there are the things that returns can't show you at all. For example, what insurance is attached to your account and what it's costing you, whether the fund offers guidance, tools and advice or simply sends a statement once a year. Another consideration maybe the level of support available when you need it. When comparing funds, it's worth looking at the full picture, including performance, fees, investment options, retirement support and member benefits. What today’s decisions mean tomorrow To understand how your super stacks up, start here: Find your investment option It's on your annual statement and in your online account. Look at what's in it Your fund publishes the asset allocation (shares, cash etc.) for each investment option. Check the long-term return for that option Focus on five and ten year returns, not just last year and compare them with equivalent options. Understand the total cost Add together administration fees, investment fees and insurance premiums as an annual dollar figure. Comparing super is about working out which option will perform best for you. Before you jump in, it’s worth understanding what's behind the numbers so you can make decisions based on more than a headline return. Knowing where you stand is the first step A super balance tells you where you are today. Understanding how your super is invested, how it compares and whether it's aligned with your goals helps show whether you're heading in the right direction. Source: MLC The information in this article does not take into account your objectives, needs and circumstances. We recommend that you obtain investment and taxation advice specific to your investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs before making any investment decision or acting on any of the information contained in this document. Subject to law, Capstone Financial Planning nor their directors, employees or authorised representatives gives any representation or warranty as to the reliability, accuracy or completeness of the information; or accepts any responsibility for any person acting, or refraining from acting, on the basis of the information contained in this document. Principal Wealth Management Pty Ltd trading as BMO Financial Solutions ABN 53 109 336 601 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 277821) of Capstone Financial Planning Pty Ltd ABN 24 093 733 969 Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) No. 223135.

The SMSF landscape is changing

By Jude Schofield • October 7, 2026
More Australians are choosing to take direct control of their retirement savings by establishing a self-managed super fund (SMSF) and according to the SMSF Association, Aussies now see their super as an important part of building and managing their overall wealth.