Scott Phillips

New South Wales

Co-Host at Motley Fool Money Australia

Chief Investment Officer at The Motley Fool (Australia)

Investor. Business person. CIO @themotleyfoolau. Director @cityrecitalhall Here for nuanced policy discussion and observations, not cheerleading. And some fun!

Articles

What the bush taught me about investing

1 week ago | fool.com.au | Scott Phillips

A couple of weekends ago, I spent two days in the bush with my boys: learning how to properly use a bushcraft knife, make fire without matches, and treat water so it wouldn't make me crook. We learned to navigate by the sun… and the stars. And we slept under tarps in sleeping bags. We had a ball, and it was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding things I've done in yonks.
The ASX is closed. Now what?

2 weeks ago | fool.com.au | Scott Phillips

So, it's a public holiday across most of Australia, today. And the ASX is closed. Which is… all to the good. It's a reminder that commerce – and life – continues, even when the ASX isn't open. You can hit 'refresh' on your broker's website as often as you like, today, and the numbers won't change. But Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) will still sell groceries. BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) will mine iron ore. CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) will provide vaccines and our banks will process millions of transactions.
The new Super tax is a bad tax... here's why

1 month ago | fool.com.au | Scott Phillips

The Australian government is proposing an additional tax on large Super balances. Fair enough. But the way they're doing it is bad in three distinct ways. Our Chief Investment Officer, Scott Phillips, shares his views on why – and why it could impact many, many more people in the future! VIDEO
The new Super tax is a bad tax

1 month ago | fool.com.au | Scott Phillips

Can we talk about the proposed Superannuation tax for a minute? I know for many people, Super feels a long way away. And also locked away. And I know that critiquing a tax that applies only for people with more than $3m in Superannuation feels like sticking up for the rich and powerful, and something that you and I needn't worry about. Plus, whenever you criticise something done by one side of politics or the other, things can get pretty tribal, pretty quickly.
End of an era: Buffett to step down

1 month ago | fool.com.au | Scott Phillips

In all of the election news over the weekend, I suspect many people might have missed the news that an investing era will draw to a close at the end of 2025. Warren Buffett, the man known as the 'Oracle of Omaha' has announced that he will retire as CEO of investment conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway in just under seven months' time.
Motley Fool TV LIVE and FREE at 8pm AEST

2 months ago | fool.com.au | Scott Phillips

There is a lot going on, right now. Market volatility. 101 days of a new (well, returned) US President. Inflation falling (and maybe rates, too). And an election in a few days. That's a lot for an investor to get her head around. Except… it's not. Not really, anyway. Don't get me wrong – I'm not saying it's unimportant or that the vast number of permutations of the above don't take up some serious mental space. I'm just saying it's not that important, from an investing perspective.
Lest We Forget

2 months ago | fool.com.au | Scott Phillips

It is hard, now, to imagine the world of 1914. International leisure travel was almost non-existent, news slowly trickled around the world on ships and via telegram, and motorised transport was rare. We were barely teenagers, as a nation. Our federal parliament sat between Sydney and Melbourne, with the construction of Canberra having only just begun.
Are you ready for today's falls?

2 months ago | fool.com.au | Scott Phillips

Yes, it's me. Again. And yes, I'm here again for the reason you think: the US markets fell heavily on Friday night, our time (down about 6%), and the ASX futures suggest that we'll drop by a bit over 4% here, today. Sick of me yet? I hope not. I posted some thoughts about investing in times of volatility on Twitter this morning, and one follower generously replied: "Thank you. Much fretting re all this. Some reassurance is much appreciated" I don't blame them.
An antidote to market meltdown mania

2 months ago | fool.com.au | Scott Phillips

Look, I'm going to keep this short. Which… is uncommon for me, and might be a relief for you. Two things:First, the ASX is down 1.5% right now, after the US markets fell almost 5% overnight. No, I didn't predict it, but I did write something yesterday in the wake of the tariff announcement and the fall in the US Futures yesterday afternoon. In the iconic words of the late Charlie Munger, 'I have nothing to add'. So, if you're worried about your portfolio, please have a read.
Trump, Tariffs and (Market) Tantrums!

2 months ago | fool.com.au | Scott Phillips

Trump. Tariffs. Tantrums from stock markets. Yes, it feels like Groundhog Day. It's felt like Groundhog Day for weeks. But here we are. I've written about this before. I called it Russian Roulette with a bullet in every chamber. But let me cover it again, briefly: Yes, tariffs are stupid policy. And yes, for those asking who can't imagine an economic view divorced from politics, no matter the country or leader in question. They make things more expensive in the country that's applying the tariffs.