The Wall Street Journal online

The Wall Street Journal is an excellent financial newspaper, once upon a time I was limited to reading this or The Asian Wall Street Journal only when I was overseas. These days it is possible to read online and I also pick up a newsprint copy when flying Singapore Airlines or through good local newsagents. My Facebook newsfeed is linked to the WSJ headlines so I now get my daily financial fix.

Naturally, you need an interest in business and it helps if you are trading or investing in shares, bonds, commodities or forex. For me, I predominantly directly invest in the ASX through my self-managed superannuation fund. My government sponsored superannuation fund has about 30% invested in international shares and around 25% in Australian shares, 10% in government bonds, 10% in property, 6% in private equity, 5% in infrastructure, 5% in diversified fixed interest, 5% in alternatives and 4% in cash. I switch funds around as required and the WSJ keeps me informed of international dealings.

So while The Wall Street Journal has, as expected, an American focus, the very issues affecting my investments are global issues that radiate from the goings on at Wall Street. The Europeans, the Asian financial centres of Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai and middle eastern finance brokers are attempting to shift the focus away from American influence. I see Wall Street financiers not willing to surrender their market dominance without a fight. The Wall Street Journal will be the leading financial news service for some time yet.