MA Financial has built its reputation in the toughest corner of the corporate world, restructures. In the years after the GFC, it advised on some of Australia’s most complex and high-profile turnarounds, from Centro Properties and Alinta Energy to Babcock & Brown and Nine Entertainment.
Today, the firm manages over $12 billion and has grown into a major player in private lending. In this episode, Livewire speaks with Frank Danieli, Head of Credit Investments and Lending, about how MA Financial’s restructure heritage shapes its credit strategies, why uncertainty is a constant, and where he sees opportunities, including an unexpected one in car loans.
________________________
Thanks to our Sponsor AlphaSense
This latest episode is brought to you by AlphaSense.
See what AlphaSense can do for your investment research—visit alpha-sense.com/livewire to get started.
--------
32:00
--------
32:00
Rudi: It’s not a bubble, AI’s next winners, and what investors are overlooking
Investing feels easier when markets are messy. When volatility spikes and fear takes hold, putting fresh capital to work can feel rational, even opportunistic. But when markets are cruising near record highs, valuations look stretched, and AI stocks are powering ahead like a runaway train, adding to a portfolio can feel unnerving.
It’s a sentiment shared by many right now. With the ASX 200 trading at elevated multiples and earnings growth on track to post its third consecutive annual decline, the contradiction is hard to ignore.
But according to FNArena Editor Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, it’s not a bubble, and the market isn’t broken. The real problem? Investors are using the wrong lens.
“The averages are masking the detail,” he argues. High index-level valuations are being distorted by a handful of heavyweight stocks, while strong underlying growth is still coming through in key parts of the market.
In this episode of The Rules of Investing, Rudi joins Livewire’s James Marlay to unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface, why some companies are still worth owning at premium multiples, and how investors can navigate another volatile reporting season without getting spooked out of the market.
___________________
Thanks to our Sponsor AlphaSense
This latest episode is brought to you by AlphaSense.
See what AlphaSense can do for your investment research—visit alpha-sense.com/livewire to get started.
--------
30:13
--------
30:13
Investors had a decade to buy Amazon. Is it Spotify’s turn now?
Amazon spent over a decade as a misunderstood stock - volatile, unprofitable, and often written off. But for those who looked past the noise, it became one of the greatest investments of our time. Today, Janus Henderson sees echoes of that journey in Spotify. It may not look like a market leader yet, but under the surface, the building blocks of enduring growth are falling into place. In this episode, Josh Cummings explains how volatility creates opportunity, why time is a long-term investor’s best friend, and what separates the winners from the noise. Is Spotify your second shot at an Amazon-style success?
_____________________
Thanks to our Sponsor AlphaSense
This latest episode is brought to you by AlphaSense.
See what AlphaSense can do for your investment research—visit alpha-sense.com/livewire to get started.
--------
24:12
--------
24:12
Marcus Padley reveals the secret sauce of timing markets
In this special episode of The Rules of Investing, veteran stockbroker and Marcus Today founder Marcus Padley joins Livewire’s James Marlay for a wide-ranging conversation on two critical themes. First, Marcus takes aim at the industry’s obsession with buy-and-hold, arguing that smart market timing isn’t just possible - it’s essential for managing risk and avoiding underperformance. Then, he fields Livewire reader questions on everything from gold and lithium to bond yields and WiseTech. It’s bold, unfiltered, and classic Marcus.
_____________________
Thanks to our Sponsor AlphaSense
This latest episode is brought to you by AlphaSense.
See what AlphaSense can do for your investment research—visit alpha-sense.com/livewire to get started.
--------
53:59
--------
53:59
Andrew Mitchell: The market always wins
Equity markets have bounced, but Andrew Mitchell from Ophir says the road ahead is tricky. Higher bond yields and policy risks point to slower growth. In this environment, companies that can grow through the cycle will stand out. In this episode of The Rules of Investing, Mitchell shares his views on equity markets, the dominance of US megacaps, and why he remains optimistic on small and mid-caps. He also unpacks the thesis behind a mission-critical tech stock flying under the radar, one he believes has the potential to become a rare ‘Rule of 40’ standout.
_____________________
Thanks to our Sponsor AlphaSense
This latest episode is brought to you by AlphaSense.
See what AlphaSense can do for your investment research—visit alpha-sense.com/livewire to get started.
The Rules of Investing is one of Australia’s longest-running business podcasts, providing investors with unparalleled access to the ideas and insights of Australia’s leading fund managers, economists and industry experts. Learn how the industry’s best invest, with the help of Livewire’s James Marlay and Chris Conway. Whether you’re new to investing or a seasoned professional, this podcast is for you. New episodes are released every second Friday, available on Livewire Markets, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.