By Caity Somers, Marketing and Education Manager, Australian Shareholders’ Association

Investing isn’t just for seasoned professionals or retirees—it’s for anyone with curiosity, discipline, and a willingness to learn. Thivyan Aravindan, an ASA member and company monitor, embodies this as he balances university life with a deep passion for investing. From reading his first finance book at 14 to sitting across from ASX-listed company directors, Thivyan shares his journey, insights, and how ASA has helped shape his approach to investing.

Q1: How long have you been a member of the ASA? I’ve been with the ASA for just over a year now—rookie numbers compared to many long-standing members!

Q2: How did you begin your investment journey? I started investing when I was around 14, thanks to my dad’s collection of property investment books. One of the first books I picked up was Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki, which introduced me to the differences between assets and liabilities. I remember jotting down my ‘assets’ at the time—some loose change from my blazer pocket, heavy textbooks, and an unfashionable school tie. Needless to say, I had a long way to go!

It was also around this time that I participated in the ASX Sharemarket Game, which exposed me to financial markets and sparked my passion for investing. From there, my interest snowballed.

Q3: What are you currently studying, and what inspired your choice? I’m in my final year of a Bachelor of Economics at UNSW. My high school economics teacher had a talent for linking economic principles to real-world issues, which made the subject both fascinating and intuitive for me. The ability to influence society and understand how people think, act, and live through economic forces is what inspired me to pursue this field.

At university, I’ve developed a strong interest in behavioral economics. Since investor psychology plays a huge role in market success, mastering this aspect is something I’m keen to continue exploring.

Q4: How has your perspective on investing evolved since starting university? I started university at 18, and my approach to investing has matured significantly since then. Initially, I saw all shares as equal opportunities for wealth-building. But after reading books like One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch and Five Rules for Successful Stock Investing by Pat Dorsey, I realized that different shares serve different purposes. Investing isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach—it requires strategic thinking tailored to long-term goals.

Q5: How do you balance university life with investing? Aside from my lifelong grudge against early morning lectures, I wouldn’t say university and investing clash too much. During exams, it’s definitely easier to procrastinate by speculating on Star Entertainment’s future than finishing econometrics problem sets!

One of the great things about university is the abundance of clubs and societies—including investment societies—where I’ve met like-minded peers who share my passion for markets and finance. It’s a fantastic way to discuss major market movements while making friends along the way.

Q6: Have your university studies influenced your investment decisions? Yes, but not in the way you might expect. The frameworks used to analyze economic issues are surprisingly similar to those used for evaluating businesses. Whether it’s assessing how interest rates impact inflation or how companies adjust pricing strategies to gain market share, the cause-and-effect thinking I’ve developed in economics helps me assess a company’s long-term outlook.

That said, I don’t believe formal education alone makes someone a better investor. There’s a lot of ‘noise’ in investing, and macroeconomics can sometimes cloud judgment. I’ve learned to focus less on share price fluctuations and more on reading annual reports, evaluating management decisions, and forming my own conclusions before comparing them to market sentiment.

Q7: What ASA resources or events have been most beneficial to you? If people count as resources, then my fellow company monitors top the list. Many ASA monitors have decades of experience in fields like consulting and executive management, and I’ve been able to learn so much from their insights.

I also love the ASA luncheons with industry experts. One of my favorites featured Paul Bloxham, Chief Economist at HSBC, discussing global productivity trends. It’s incredibly valuable to hear firsthand insights from experts who shape economic and financial discourse.

Q8: What does your role as a company monitor entail? Imagine being a 19-year-old sitting across from the board of an ASX-listed company, questioning the CFO of Scentre Group (Westfield) on their expense ratios or challenging the Chairman of AMP about executive remuneration. That’s what being a company monitor is like!

The role involves selecting a company based on the number of proxies provided to the ASA, drafting a voting intentions report, attending pre-AGM meetings, and preparing key questions for company directors. Then comes the AGM itself, where we vote on resolutions and engage with executives and shareholders. Finally, I draft a post-AGM report detailing voting outcomes, announcements, and shareholder concerns.

It’s a unique experience that places you at the heart of corporate Australia and gives you real influence as a retail investor.

Q9: How has being a company monitor shaped your investment strategy? Before joining the ASA, I focused almost entirely on financials. Now, I also scrutinize executive remuneration and management behavior. I judge leadership based on three criteria: compensation, character, and operations.

For example, I ask questions like:

• Do executives have enough skin in the game?
• Will they still be rewarded if shareholder returns decline?
• Have they kept their promises in the past?

Numbers are important, but even a great business can fail under poor leadership. ASA has helped me refine my strategy to include both quantitative and qualitative factors in my decision-making.

Q10: What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a company monitor? If a uni student like me can do it, anyone can! This role is incredibly dynamic—it puts you at the heart of corporate Australia, allows you to engage with high-level executives, and helps you become a better investor.

I strongly recommend partnering with another monitor when you start. Having someone to bounce ideas off, double-check your work, and provide feedback makes the experience even more rewarding.

Representing over $8 million in proxies on behalf of retail shareholders has been an eye-opening experience. If you’re looking for a way to make a real impact, ASA is the place to do it.

Happy investing!