Mission Statement
Fortrend helps Australians diversify into sectors of the economy not available on the ASX. The objective is to reduce risk and improve long term returns with high conviction advice. We offer U.S. domiciled stockbroking accounts.
Due to tax incentives, franking credits in particular, the Australian stock market is Austral-centric, income focused, and protectionist:
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Austral-Centric: Imputation encourages Australian companies to earn income in Australia to generate franking credits. Income earned offshore does not generate franking credits. Therefore, Australian listed companies have become Austral Centric.
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Income Focused: Investors in Australia prefer that Australian listed companies distribute franked income today, rather than invest for growth, which would generate taxable capital gains in the future.
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Protectionist: Foreign investors do not get the benefit of franking credits and are at a competitive disadvantage to Australian investors, particularly superannuation funds which get a rebate for taxes paid at the corporate level.
The net effect is that the Australian market provides very little global growth oriented investment opportunities.
Joe Forster
Managing Director, Fortrend Securities Pty Ltd
Chief Executive Officer, Fortrend Securities Inc.
Joe started his career in the Research Department at Smith Barney in New York, where he developed the Relative Value Model. Now, Joe publishes an RVM research report each month with his recommended core stocks. He has beaten the market on a consistent basis since founding Fortrend in 1992.
In the late 1980’s, Joe moved to Australia with a view to bridge the US and Australian capital markets. He worked as an investment banker reporting directly to the head of Merrill Lynch Australia.
Organizational Structure
Fortrend Securities Pty Ltd introduces accounts to Fortrend Securities Inc. It holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) and is responsible for servicing your account. Fortrend Securities Inc is a member of FINRA.
Fortrend’s clearing firm is responsible for the custody of assets, publishing statements, confirmations, sending proxy material and processing corporate actions among other things. The clearing firm operates as the “Back Office” while Fortrend is the “Front Office” and is responsible for service and advice.
