ASX hits near-record as miners offset banks
The ASX 200 index gained 9 points or 0.10 per cent to 8,677.20 at the end of Tuesday's trading, for its second highest close of all time, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 15.30 points or 0.17 per cent to 8,941.50.
Australia's dollar slipped 0.17 per cent and is now buying 65.14 US cents. It was a mixed day for the ASX 200. NewsWire / Jeremy Piper Credit: News Corp Australia
On a mixed day of trading, six sectors finished in the green while a further five fell.
Materials and Healthcare led the way up 2.37 and 2.08 per cent respectively.
BHP gained 2.60 per cent to $41.51, Rio Tinto soared 3.37 per cent to $118.32 and Fortescue jumped 3.25 per cent to $17.81 on higher iron ore prices.
Commonwealth Bank mining and energy commodities director Vivek Dhar said the iron ore price was back to its highest point since April 2 on the back of the latest move out of China.
'Over the weekend, the launch of the RMB 1.2 trillion hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsanpo river in Tibet also boosted demand expectations,' he wrote in an economic note.
'However, given policymakers are yet to announce any substantial property stimulus package, and China's economy has proven resilient so far this year, demand alone is unlikely to be the reason that iron ore prices have tracked back above $US100/t.'
Offsetting the strong gains in the mining sector was another poor day for the big four banks.
CBA slumped a further 3.06 per cent to $172.42, NAB dragged 2.69 per cent to $37.22, Westpac fell 1.27 per cent to $32.65 and ANZ slipped 0.77 per cent to $29.82.
The substantial selling in the big banks this week has led to the ASX200 Financial sector falling 5.3 per cent below the record high of 9,676 reached in late June putting it on track for its lowest daily close in seven weeks. Six of the 11 sectors gained while 5 fell. NewsWire / Jeremy Piper Credit: News Corp Australia
The fall on the local market comes despite shares in the US reaching another record high.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 18.66 points, or 0.04 per cent, to 44,323.53, while the broader S & P 500 gained 8.89 points, or 0.14 per cent, to 6,305.68 and the tech heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 78.52 points, or 0.38 per cent, to 20,974.18.
This was another record high for both the S & P 500 and Nasdaq.
Capital.com senior financial market analyst Kyle Rodda said Wall Street kicked off the week at a record high despite heightened trade tensions and looming tech earnings.
'Investors all but shrugged off reports that the European Union is preparing a suite of retaliatory tariffs on the United States should negotiations break down and tariffs get lifted to the levels that the US has threatened the EU with,' he wrote in an economic note.
In company news, Insignia Financial has entered into a scheme implementation deed which will see CC Capital acquire all the businesses shares.
Insignia shares will be sold at $4.80 per share, offering a 56.9 per cent premium on its $3.06 price on December 11 2024 when the process of taking over the business began.
Bedmakers Technology group told the market it achieved record profitability and positive cash flow. In its latest statement, the company said revenue increased $22.6m and gross margins expanded by 71.5 per cent for an adjusted EBITDA of $3.2m.
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Sydney Morning Herald
17 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
ASX set to slide, Wall Street mixed; Tesla falls, Alphabet surges
Wall Street is hanging near its records on Thursday, though the calm surface of the US stock market is hiding some roiling moves underneath. Alphabet is rising, and Tesla is tumbling following a jumble of profit reports from big US companies. The S&P 500 was 0.3 per cent higher in afternoon trading, coming off its all-time high set the day before. The Dow Jones was down 174 points, or 0.4 per cent, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.4 per cent higher. The Australian sharemarket is set to retreat, with futures at pointing to a fall of 33 points, or 0.4 per cent, at the open. The ASX lost 0.8 per cent on Thursday. Alphabet climbed 1.9 per cent after the company behind Google and YouTube delivered a fatter profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It's leaning more into artificial-intelligence technology and said it's increasing its budget to spend on AI chips and other investments this year by $US10 billion ($15.2 bilion) to $US85 billion. That helped push up other stocks in the AI industry, including a 1.1 per cent rise for Nvidia. The chip company was one of the strongest forces lifting the S&P 500 because it's the largest on Wall Street in terms of value. But an 8.8 per cent drop for Tesla kept the market in check. Elon Musk's electric-vehicle company reported results for the spring that were roughly in line with or above analysts' expectations, and Musk is trying to highlight Tesla's moves into AI and robotaxis. Loading The focus, though, remains on how Musk's foray into politics is turning off potential customers, and he said several rough quarters may be ahead as 'we're in this weird transition period where we'll lose a lot of incentives in the US' Stocks have broadly been rallying for weeks on hopes that President Donald Trump will reach trade deals with other countries that will lower his stiff proposed tariffs, along with the risk that they could cause a recession and drive up inflation. The record-setting gains have been so strong that criticism is rising about how expensive stock prices have become. That in turn puts pressure on companies to deliver solid growth in profits in order to justify their gains. Chipotle Mexican Grill also helped weigh on the market despite delivering a profit for the spring that topped analysts' expectations. The restaurant chain's growth in revenue came up short of expectations, and its stock fell 13.8 per cent.
Sky News AU
17 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
'Peter Gago's troubleshooter': New Penfolds Director of Winemaking Steph Dutton reveals her priorities across the company's global empire
Introducing Steph Dutton, the new director of winemaking at Penfolds, Australia's greatest wine company. The 39-year-old Melbourne Girls Grammar old girl answers to Peter Gago, the legendary Penfolds chief winemaker who led the vintner's audacious push into US, China and France. The arrival of Penfolds as a global winemaking powerhouse is on show with its new Australian releases where local treasures like Grange, RWT and Bin 389 compete with vintages from the other side of the globe. Under the guidance of Gago and Dutton, Penfolds now manicures a universal vineyard straddling the two hemispheres. At any time in either the Barossa, Coonawarra, Coal River or Napa valleys or at Ningxia in the aptly named Shangri-La vineyards in China, or further south in Yunnan near the Burma border, the grapes are ripening. Penfolds also has an ongoing collaboration with Champagne Thiénot and its holding company Treasury Wine Estates owns the Chianti winery Castello di Gabbiano in Tuscany (a pleasant 37-minute drive south of Florence) and more wineries at Marlborough in New Zealand. Dutton has emerged as Gago's troubleshooter across an impressive portfolio of properties that now includes Château Lanessan in Bordeaux. She says it is an honour for an Australia firm to take charge at the left bank Lanessan vineyard which has been owned by a succession of eight generations of the Bouteiller family. The 390ha of land in the Haut-Médoc appellation has 80ha under vine, she said. It produces cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petit verdot. Dutton, a mother of two whose parents were advertising executives, climbed the ranks from senior winemaker to group winemaker before being named the director of winemaking. She and her husband Andrew 'Baldy' Baldwin, another gun winemaker at Penfolds, had six-month stints together directing operations at the Penfolds vineyards in Napa and at Paso Robles. They were on a steep learning curve, she said. 'Napa cabernet tannins are very different to Australian tannins for example, so getting to know which barrels were going to match which tannins in different regions is a challenge.' If there was a problem, it has resolved itself spectacularly in Penfolds Bin 704 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, a sumptuous offering bottled after 16 months in French oak barriques. Dutton grasps the historical significance of the bold Bordeaux acquisitions and the equally brave push into China and California. Lanessan contains two chateaux, one derelict. TWA has just appointed French architects for a major restoration of the cellar door and winery. TWE has a second left bank winery 15 minutes away at Château Cambon la Pelouse at Macau on the road leading to Margaux and Pauillac. TWE purchased the property in 2019. Dutton sees room for expansion. She already had her masters in genetic science before completing her winemaking degree. So how does she keep the predominantly male winemakers in line? 'You can't. It's impossible to keep these guys in line,' she said. She modified her answer by saying she doesn't have to. 'The Southern hemisphere crew in Australia are pretty well established and know what they are doing. 'The big focus for me in the last couple of years is making sure we are authentically and highly skilled in the northern hemisphere as well.' Penfolds winemaker Shauna Bastow is now living permanently in Bordeaux guiding the experimental FWT (French Winemaking Trial) series, including the FWT 585, a cabernet, merlot, and petit verdot blend. However Dutton is the 'boots on the ground' winemaker in sites where the same variety of grapes produce different flavour profiles. 'As you know the art of blending is incredibly important for us at Penfolds,' she said. 'In France, we want flexibility to bring in little grower plots, both from our own vineyards and our grower network there _ just as we do in Australia. 'Our immediate priority is getting Chateau Lanessan in tip top shape.' Dutton says it is a personal goal to create another iconic wine from the Lanessan fruit. 'It might come next year, or it may take eight years. We are still doing the work.' She wants to plant another 20ha of vines at Lanessan while 'rejuvenating' 15ha of existing vines. As the flagship and luxury brand of TWE, Dutton says Penfolds aspires to be the 'best of the best'. 'The combination of a grower network and owned fruit gives you more blending opportunities and options,' she said. 'And it is a little bit of an insurance policy in sourcing from vintage to vintage. We are still finding our feet.' 'We have trials going all the time at Penfolds.' Some have begun in right bank territory and Penfolds is looking at syrah in the Northern Rhone Valley.' She and Baldy often sip chardonnay on Friday night. 'We have slightly different tastes. Baldy does love the softer more voluptuous chardonnays while I tend to look for some of the racier styles. There are some that race across the palate and some that expand across the palate and the best examples do a little both of both.' And if you ask a Penfolds winemaker for their favourite wines they will probably nominate three or four, she said. St Henri will invariably be among them. 'For me, St Henri is an example of a highly saturated wine, full in body but still elegant,' Ms Dutton said. It is often described as a counterpoint to Grange because it shows little, if any, oak. Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2022 has a commanding bouquet of black fruits, plum and licorice leading to a richly layered palate. It will gain soft, mocha-like characters with age. Penfolds Grange 2021 is another blending masterclass that will have the serious collectors queuing up. Grange doesn't get much better than this. I scored it 98 points. There is a remarkable synergy from grapes harvested in the Barossa Valley (66 percent), McLaren Vale (26) and Clare Valley (eight). This year's edition has six percent cabernet sauvignon. Mr Gago's tasting notes described it best: 'A vortex of mid-palate sumptuousness flanked by sleek, dusty tannins and chocolatey brûléed-suggestive oak.' Where did the flavour come from? Perhaps the Clare delivered Dutch liquorice and menthol, he muses. The Barossa berries contributed the dark satsuma plum, star anise and roasted quince notes while the Worcestershire sauce, squid ink, corned beef and peppercorn notes were delivered from McLaren Vale fruit. The wine was matured for 18 months in American oak hogsheads. (100 percent new) - More reviews next week.
Man of Many
an hour ago
- Man of Many
11 Best Cardholders for Men
Unlike the best wallets for men—which encourage pocket hoarding with their roomy interior—the best cardholders simplify your life by sticking to the essentials. Using quality materials and compact designs, they often feature slim card slots and sometimes, you'll even find a small central pocket or an adjoining bill clasp. Leather reigns supreme, but don't sleep on alternatives like coated canvas or durable aluminium. You have your options, to say the least, and they begin with our curated list of the best cardholders for men. Pick one up and kiss your overstuffed pockets goodbye! Best Cardholders for Men at a Glance Highlights from our list include the following options: Now you've read our favourites, let's check out the complete list. Bellroy Card Slip | Image: Supplied / Bellroy 1. Bellroy Card Slip Price: AUD$85 Pros Cons Quality construction, streamlined design, and simple but handsome aesthetic. There might not be enough room to hold all your cards and there's no pocket for cash. Scroll horizontally to view full table Bellroy's high-quality, value-for-money wallets have been a favourite of ours for years, but the brand's new card slip is what we're using every day. This Australian brand is a master of leather goods and accessories, and its minimalist cardholder is no exception. Here, the focus is all about quality materials and finer details. Primarily forged from supple leather, its painted edges, embossed accents, and trusty stitchwork deliver expert examples of modern craftsmanship and a natural aesthetic. It holds room for up to four cards with a prominent rear slip pocket designated for the card you use most. If only everything in life were this simple! Craftsmanship details : 65% Leather, 30% Recycled Polyester, 5% Other materials : 65% Leather, 30% Recycled Polyester, 5% Other materials Dimensions : 65 × 105 × 2 mm : 65 × 105 × 2 mm Capacity : holds up to 4 cards : holds up to 4 cards Special features: rear slip pocket, quick-access sections, RFID protection Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Credit Card Case | Image: Supplied / Bottega Veneta 2. Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Credit Card Case Price: AUD$540 Pros Cons Ultimate premium leather construction, room for cards and cash, visual distinction, and minimalist branding from a name you can trust. The price might be right for quality of this tier, but it's expensive nevertheless. Scroll horizontally to view full table This swanky cardholder will cost you, but you know as much as soon as you see the Bottega Veneta name. Indeed, the Italian fashion house went all-in on premium leather, using lambskin for the exterior and sealing the deal with supple calfskin lining. Behold the Intrecciato weave pattern on both sides, lending the accessory a further tier of elegance and distinction. There's also a roomy central pocket for coins or cash. Finally, you can choose between a handful of colours, some of which are particularly vibrant and fun. Craftsmanship details : lambskin leather exterior with calfskin leather lining : lambskin leather exterior with calfskin leather lining Dimensions : 3.15 x 4.1 x .2 inches : 3.15 x 4.1 x .2 inches Capacity : 6 card slots plus a central pocket : 6 card slots plus a central pocket Special features: unique Intrecciato pattern Carl Friedrik Foley in Dark Olive 3. Carl Friedrik Foley Price: AUD$335 Pros Cons High-end full-grain, semi-aniline bovine leather construction. Curved silhouette easily slides into the pocket of your trousers or jacket. Priced close to designer options on our list, but without the designer name. Scroll horizontally to view full table This one was a bit of a surprise for us because it comes from a premium travel goods brand, Carl Friedrik, who hasn't released a new all-leather accessory in four years. These guys know how to make a high-end carry-on bag, so it's no surprise that this vertical cardholder is one of the best on the market. It features a subtly curved silhouette that easily slides into your pocket, four card slots, and a hidden side-opening compartment for storing receipts. However, it's the use of materials that stood out to us with full-grain, semi-aniline bovine leather construction that's finished in a grained texture, offset by smooth vachetta leather. It's not cheap, so we're not going to say it's unexpected to find such high-end materials, but it's a welcome addition, and will comfortably find its place in the jacket of any tailored suit. We selected the Dark Olive colourway for the image above, but it's also available in Black and Chestnut. These colours match other products in the brand's Sonder collection, which extends to other travel goods like passport sleeves and bags. Craftsmanship details : Full-grain, semi-aniline bovine leather : Full-grain, semi-aniline bovine leather Dimensions : Width: 6.8 cm (2.7 inches) Height: 10.5 cm (4.1 inches) Depth: 0.5 cm (0.2 inches) : Capacity : 8 cards and 2 notes, concealed side-opening pocket for receipts : 8 cards and 2 notes, concealed side-opening pocket for receipts Special features: Monogram detailing Ekster Cardholder Pro | Image: Supplied / Ekster 4. Ekster Cardholder Pro Price: USD$99 Pros Cons Durable aluminium construction, room for up to 14 cards (and some cash) that eject from the case, customisable add-ons, and more. This cardholder might offer too many bells and whistles for some users, thereby overcomplicating its intent. Scroll horizontally to view full table Cardholders have taken off as a product category over the last few decades and it's paved the way for brands like Ekster, which often step outside the box to embrace new materials and concepts. So goes the Cardholder Pro and its metallic makeup of 100% recycled aluminium. Slim and sturdy at first glance, the EDC includes innovative features like an expandable backplate and a one-touch card ejector. It's also compatible with customisable attachments, including a coin tray or wallet tracking device. Put it all together and you get the functionality of a wallet plus nifty extras, all squeezed into a pocket-friendly framework. Craftsmanship details : 100% recycled aluminium construction : 100% recycled aluminium construction Dimensions : 0.6 x 4.25 x 2.4 inches : 0.6 x 4.25 x 2.4 inches Capacity : holds up to 14 cards between two compartments : holds up to 14 cards between two compartments Special features: customisable add-ons, touch-button mechanism, expandable backplate, RFID protection Smythson Flat Card Holder | Image: Supplied / Smythson 5. Smythson Flat Card Holder Price: AUD$335 Pros Cons The use of Panama leather results in a distinctive texture while signature brand detailing drives home the heritage vibe. Here we have another cardholder that will cost you a pretty penny and not necessarily provide something that you couldn't get from a cheaper alternative. Scroll horizontally to view full table UK-based Smythson has been a luxury brand of choice amongst British royalty and other famous clientele for over a century and counting. Their Flat Card Holder is a masterwork of minimalism that lets the quality material, cross-grain texture, and logo detailing do all of the talking. Speaking of quality material, this one is crafted from the brand's own Panama leather, the same leather used by their founder when he invented the first featherweight diary all the way back in 1908. Choose from among a variety of striking colours and prepare to fall in love with this cardholder and its timeless allure. Craftsmanship details : cross-grain calf leather construction : cross-grain calf leather construction Dimensions : 4 x 3 inches : 4 x 3 inches Capacity : 5 card pockets plus a central pouch : 5 card pockets plus a central pouch Special features: logo embossing, unique texture Louis Vuitton Double Card Holder | Image: Supplied / Louis Vuitton 6. Louis Vuitton Double Card Holder Price: AUD$550 Pros Cons Coated canvas construction plus the name Louis Vuitton equals a long-lasting, high-quality accessory that doubles as a status symbol. Another luxury entry with a high price to match. The visual layout might not be to everyone's taste. Scroll horizontally to view full table When only the finest craftsmanship will abide, look no further than the French house of Louis Vuitton. The luxury brand's Double Card Holder hails from their Monogram Eclipse collection, hence the visual design of its exterior. Crack open the central pocket to discover the ultimate sign of quality, i.e. the label's trademarked emblem. Thanks to the use of coated canvas, this product will last years and withstand all kinds of elements (water, heat, etc) in the process. A costly investment perhaps, but one that's worth making. Craftsmanship details : coated canvas exterior with cowhide leather lining : coated canvas exterior with cowhide leather lining Dimensions : 11 x 7 x 1.5 cm : 11 x 7 x 1.5 cm Capacity : 4 card slots plus a central pocket : 4 card slots plus a central pocket Special features: signature Monogram Eclipse design Status Anxiety Together For Now Wallet | Image: Supplied / Status Anxiety 7. Status Anxiety Together For Now Wallet Price: USD$49.95 Pros Cons Quality leather construction, simple layout, custom lining, and a great price. You get what you pay for in this world, meaning this cardholder might wear down sooner than some counterparts. Scroll horizontally to view full table 'Quality over quantity' is the prevailing mantra at Aussie lifestyle brand Status Anxiety, and this unisex cardholder follows suit. It cultivates pure minimalism through its unfettered design, compact measurements, and premium construction, complete with custom brand lining. If you're looking to simplify your life and bolster your EDC arsenal in one fell swoop, consider this your one-and-done. Pick a colour and go. Craftsmanship details : shrunken soft pebble leather construction : shrunken soft pebble leather construction Dimensions : 10 x 7.5 cm : 10 x 7.5 cm Capacity : 4 card slots plus a stash pocket : 4 card slots plus a stash pocket Special features: custom lining, blind embossed logo Montblanc Meisterstück Card Holder 6CC | Image: Supplied / Montblanc Meisterstück Card Holder 6CC 8. Montblanc Meisterstück Card Holder 6CC Price: USD$270 Pros Cons Supple calf-skin leather construction and black fabric lining make this a masterpiece of texture. Finished with brand detailing on both sides. The slots and central pocket deliver something of a tight squeeze and can start to show wear as a result of the friction when you remove cards or other items. Scroll horizontally to view full table Like Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta, Montblanc is synonymous with top-shelf construction and luxurious design. Their Card Holder 6CC puts those tenets in one place, with six card slots and a central pocket for folded bills or receipts. To touch the exterior is to run your fingers over the smoothest and finest leather, complemented by black fabric lining. Look for the brand's iconic symbol on one side and embossed text on the other, and accept no substitutes. Craftsmanship details : calfskin leather exterior with fabric lining : calfskin leather exterior with fabric lining Dimensions : 3.94 x 0.2 x 3.15 inches : 3.94 x 0.2 x 3.15 inches Capacity : 6 card slots plus an additional pocket : 6 card slots plus an additional pocket Special features: brand emblem Goyard Saint-Sulpice Card Wallet | Image: Supplied / Goyard 9. Goyard Saint-Sulpice Card Wallet Price: USD$480 (approx. AUD$765) Pros Cons This minimalist cardholder is all about the quality of its construction, the allure of its visual design, the inspirational underpinnings, and the name Goyard. 'You paid how much for that cardholder?' is a question owners should be prepared to hear. At the very least, make sure you get a real one (and not a knock-off). Scroll horizontally to view full table Goyard's Saint-Sulpice Card Wallet was inspired by a French church of the same name, which isn't to mention the brand's own exclusive reputation and distinguished heritage. The resulting aesthetic is downright head-turning and truly one-of-a-kind, easily making it one of the best cardholders. Putting visuals aside, this is an ever-ready classic that combines a durable coated canvas exterior with premium leather lining to offer lasting quality. Effortlessly compact, it holds room for your essential cards and slips into your pocket with ease. Meanwhile, the very name Goyard is quite esteemed so this one should hold its value for ages. Craftsmanship details : coated canvas exterior with leather lining : coated canvas exterior with leather lining Dimensions : 10.5 x 0.2 x 7 cm : 10.5 x 0.2 x 7 cm Capacity : 4 card slots plus a central pocket : 4 card slots plus a central pocket Special features: unique visual design inspired by France's Saint-Sulpice Church Ridge Wallet in Royal Black | Image: Supplied / Ridge Wallet 10. Ridge Wallet Price: USD$95 (approx. AUD$150) Pros Cons Durable construction, room for plenty of cards plus cash, RFID protection, and other features make this one a functional powerhouse. The metallic construction might scratch other things in your pocket or damage the cards themselves. Some users also find it difficult to retrieve their cards from the holder. Scroll horizontally to view full table No, this isn't a sponsored inclusion on our list of the best cardholders! The Ridge Wallet might be the most advertised cardholder wallet hybrid on the internet, but we've chosen to add it to our list because it's stood the test of time thanks to a highly functional, pragmatic design that lets you hold up to 12 cards. It comes available in an epic variety of colours and with either a cash strap, money clip, or both. The price is right and the durability is top notch so consider this the last cardholder you may ever need to buy. And if it ever does break down, you can easily replace the screws or elastic. Craftsmanship details : 6061-T6 aerospace-grade aluminium construction : 6061-T6 aerospace-grade aluminium construction Dimensions : 86 x 54 x 6 mm : 86 x 54 x 6 mm Capacity : up to 12 cards plus a cash strap or money clip (or both) : up to 12 cards plus a cash strap or money clip (or both) Special features: RFID protection, expandable design, replaceable components LOEWE Puzzle Plain Cardholder in Classic Calfskin | Image: Supplied / LOEWE 11. LOEWE Puzzle Plain Cardholder in Classic Calfskin Price: AUD$470 Pros Cons A stunning geometric pattern and eye-catching embossment put this compact cardholder in a class of its own. LOEWE is also very well-known for the top quality of their leather construction. If the name LOEWE doesn't mean much to you, then this cardholder might not be worth the lofty price. Scroll horizontally to view full table Designer brand LOEWE adorned this cardholder with the same geometric pattern found on their iconic Puzzle bags. Made in Spain from premium calfskin leather, it covers the basics but with an extra touch of quality construction and luxurious distinction. Yes, you get four card slots and a central pocket, but you also get the aforementioned puzzle pattern along with a stylish anagram embossment. And this is a brand that truly knows its leather! Craftsmanship details : calfskin leather construction : calfskin leather construction Dimensions : 7.5 Width x 0.3 x 10.3 cm : 7.5 Width x 0.3 x 10.3 cm Capacity : 4 card slots plus a central pocket : 4 card slots plus a central pocket Special features: geometric pattern, embossed anagram-style emblem What Features Make a Great Cardholder? Consider the features and practicality of each cardholder: Slim profile : The central idea behind cardholders is that they offer a more pocket-friendly and compact alternative to wallets. : The central idea behind cardholders is that they offer a more pocket-friendly and compact alternative to wallets. Card and cash capacity : Some cardholders are designed to hold only cards while others have both card slots and either a billfold attachment or a central pocket. : Some cardholders are designed to hold only cards while others have both card slots and either a billfold attachment or a central pocket. Security features: RFID-blocking technology is offered on some cardholders to prevent identity theft and other intrusions. Look at the quality of the materials and how durable it is: Materials : We don't argue with leather, but materials like aluminium and coated canvas are potentially more reliable. : We don't argue with leather, but materials like aluminium and coated canvas are potentially more reliable. Craftsmanship : Where are the materials sourced? Is the brand known for quality construction? : Where are the materials sourced? Is the brand known for quality construction? Durability: Different types of material (including different types of leather) will deliver different levels of durability. There are many different styles of cardholders. Choose one that suits your needs: Design : Are you looking for something slim and sturdy, something more refined, or a mix of both? : Are you looking for something slim and sturdy, something more refined, or a mix of both? Branding : A brand emblem can be both a sign of quality and a status symbol at the same time. Proceed accordingly. : A brand emblem can be both a sign of quality and a status symbol at the same time. Proceed accordingly. Functions: Are there expandable or discreet compartments? Does it have built-in RFID protection? Will the materials last during outdoor activities? Why You Should Trust Our List With more than a decade of hands-on experience in the men's lifestyle category, the authors of this article, Ben McKimm and Jacob Osbourn, have had the chance to test the best cardholders on the market. Jacob has an eye for technical detail, while Ben has his focus on design, and together, they've selected a concise list of their favourites based on the factors considered above. If you'd like to recommend a cardholder for Man of Many to test, please get in touch! Frequently Asked Questions About Cardholders What is the difference between a cardholder and a wallet? A cardholder is generally slimmer than a wallet and intended to hold essential cards (license, credit cards, etc), often featuring a central pocket for bills. By contrast, wallets typically fold out and feature card slots, hidden compartments, and a larger pocket for cash. Are cardholders better than traditional wallets for everyday use? Whether or not one needs a cardholder or a traditional wallet will vary from person to person. If you're the type who uses their phone or the same two credit cards to pay for everything and doesn't have a lot of memberships, then you might find a cardholder to be far more preferable than a wallet. How many cards can a slim cardholder hold? Brands are finding all kinds of ways to cram extra space into small areas so there's no one answer to this question. That said, slimmer cardholders tend to hold room for anywhere from 4 to 6 cards. Can a cardholder fit cash, or is it strictly for cards? Cardholders are generally designed to hold cards, but many feature a billfold or expandable components for cash. Do cardholders come with RFID protection? Some cardholders have built-in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) protection to ward off savvy thieves who may be trying to steal their identity or credit card information (as things like passports and credit cards use RFID). Are leather cardholders worth the investment? Quality leather is meant to last a long time and take on more character (i.e. patina) as it ages. However, even high-quality leather can wear down after extensive use or prolonged exposure to certain kinds of weather (extreme heat, constant rain, etc). Hence, leather cardholders are only worth the investment if they're made from high-quality leather and properly maintained. How should I care for and maintain a leather cardholder? To best care for a leather cardholder, it should be cleaned occasionally with a soft cloth or special brush. You can also condition it with a leather conditioner to keep it from drying out, letting it air dry afterwards (as opposed to using a heat source). All the while, you should be keeping the leather away from moisture or direct sunlight, both of which can cause near-instant damage and wear.
