News
The Irish investment market is pathetic
By Michael O’Connor, theislandinvestor.com
I lived abroad for years, so all the investment strategies I created were typically outside of Irish tax considerations.
But over the last few weeks I have been putting together several investment strategies for Irish-domiciled clients. It has been eye-opening, to say the least.
In short, most of the Irish market appears to be dominated by a handful of life insurance companies that offer 'wrapped' Multi Asset Funds. This means they offer a basket of stocks, bonds, property etc., all within one investment.
Irish Life's MAPs 4 multi-asset fund states a standard annual management charge of 1.15%. A bit on the higher side for my liking, but this is still manageable.
But when you dig a little deeper, the KID documents (where all fees have to be fully disclosed as part of UCITS regulations) show the fee as 2.2%.
Double the quoted price
As an added bonus, they lock your money up for seven years, where an early encashment charge is waiting for those who wish to withdraw their money early. That's right, they charge YOU for making your money inaccessible.
This lock-up period is a shrewd business tactic. An exit charge is an excellent way to ensure customers don't leave when they realise how poor the performance is.
Too late, you're trapped.
Performance
Fees become more digestible provided the performance is strong, but unfortunately, the misery continues.
The Irish Life MAPS 4 Portfolio has an annual return of 1.63% a year over the last five years. Granted, this was a challenging market climate to navigate, but falling below even the lowest expectations of inflation means that this fund has returned negative real returns after inflation over the last five years.
A similar 60/40 portfolio made up of passive index funds (S&P 500 and US T bonds) would have returned roughly 6.5% a year over the same period for a fee of roughly 0.1%.
We can go round and round in circles regarding the 'risk adjusted' approach and the added 'diversification' of the multi-asset fund versus the 60/40 portfolio I have shown. But the reality is much of this so-called diversification is over-engineering for an extra cost for many long term investors.
So, how can such pathetic offerings still exist in a system where low-cost operators such as De Giro are providing endless ETF options and commission-free trades that provide access to market returns at a fraction of the price?
Two reasons spring to mind
Firstly, the Irish retail investment scene is built on a financial broker commission system where unsuspecting customers are shoved into these products by 'financial planners' who receive kickbacks and commissions from these investment companies. You think you're getting free investment advice; believe me, you're not.
Second, the tax treatment of ETF structures is comical in Ireland, and US ETFs aren't even an investment option. A 41% exit tax and an eight-year deemed disposal rule leaves investors stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Choose an overpriced, underperforming product that locks your money away for multiple years or choose the cheaper, better-performing product and suffer the tax consequences.
Bizarrely, investors are forced to make decisions based on preferential tax treatment rather than on the underlying investment's merits.
I have gone into much more detail on the tax treatment and investment options in Ireland on my website. Just scan the QR code.
If you would like me to independently review your investment portfolio, just send me an email at mike@theislandinvestor.com.
Frustration mounts over morning gridlock at Coolcorcoran
Mounting traffic gridlock at the Coolcorcoran junction onto the N22 Killarney Bypass is causing daily delays for commuters, with local motorists calling on Killarney Municipal District and elected representatives to take immediate action.
Early morning traffic coming from the Tralee side has become severely backed up past BG Motors during the peak 8.15am commute.
Motorists attempting to enter the bypass from the Coolcorcoran side face long queues and increasing frustration as they struggle to join the main road.
Local drivers point to a specific design issue at the exit, where a raised kerb and a section of unused footpath prevent left-turning vehicles from merging smoothly into the traffic flow.
Road users are requesting a simple layout modification to resolve the bottleneck: converting the exit to left-turn only, removing the kerb obstruction, and directing driver traffic to loop via a U-turn at the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre roundabout. Similar left-turn measures were previously implemented at the nearby Lewis Road junction to improve safety and traffic flow.
The request comes as broader plans for the N22 bypass upgrade and new link road infrastructure remain under progression by Kerry County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Motorists wishing to share their views on local road issues can email info@killarneyadvertiser.ie.
Frustration mounts over morning gridlock at Coolcorcoran
Frustration mounts over morning gridlock at Coolcorcoran Mounting traffic gridlock at the Coolcorcoran junction onto the N22 Killarney Bypass is...
Ailbhe Keogan scoops top television writing award
Acclaimed Kerry screenwriter Ailbhe Keogan has won the Best TV Drama Script award at the 19th Writers’ Guild of Ireland...
Strong turnout for St Paul’s Golf Classic at Beaufort
After a recent spell of indifferent weather, glorious sunshine and a gentle breeze greeted 35 teams at Beaufort Golf Course...
€150,000 granted to draft masterplan for St Finan’s site
Kerry County Council has been awarded €150,000 in government funding to progress a Masterplan and Infrastructure Delivery Plan for the...
GoSafe cameras live at Farranfore level crossing next week
GoSafe cameras live at Farranfore level crossing next week Automated speed cameras at the Farranfore rail level crossing will become...
