Financial advisers should prepare for the return of inflation and market volatility in 2018 as cyclical forces gain the upper hand over structural trends, according to investment manager Vanguard.

SMSF advisers must follow and understand 11 fundamental rules when dealing with related-party-type investments in order to efficiently assess and rectify transactions, an SMSF technical expert has said.

The recent stock market rout has SMSF investors wondering what the turbulence means for them. But investors should not panic – 2018 still has the potential to be a positive year for stocks globally after the dust settles.

Building pension portfolios in the context of the $1.6 million transfer balance cap (TBC) regime is an issue advisers will need to start considering for their clients.

SMSFs have been increasing their holdings in technology stocks. Should they continue to add to, or reduce, those holdings?

SMSF investors should monitor four key themes that are likely to drive investment markets this year, with encouraging conditions expected to continue, according to AMP Capital.

The global real estate asset class delivered modestly positive returns in 2017 and similar results are expected for the next 12 months.

Including a portfolio allocation to global franchise companies can complement the home bias and stock concentration exhibited by many SMSF investors, a specialist fund manager has said.

Fintech platform Stake has announced the beta launch of Stake Premium, which will provide SMSF investors with direct access to United States share trading without charging any trading fees or commissions.