15 January 2025 Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 594 It’s well documented that many retirees draw down the minimum amount required and die with much of their super balances untouched. This explores the reasons why and some potential solutions to address the issue. Read More
14 January 2025 The perfect portfolio for the next decade This examines the performance of key asset classes and sub-sectors in 2024 and over longer timeframes, and the lessons that can be drawn for constructing an investment portfolio for the next decade. Read More
14 January 2025 The case for and against US stock market exceptionalism The outlook for equities in 2025 has been dominated by one question: will the US market’s supremacy continue? Whichever side of the debate you sit on, you should challenge yourself by considering the alternative. Read More
14 January 2025 Negative gearing: is it a tax concession? Negative gearing allows investors to deduct rental property expenses, including interest, from taxable income, but its tax concession status is debatable. The real issue lies in the favorable tax treatment of capital gains. Read More
14 January 2025 How can you not be bullish the US? Trump’s election has turbocharged US equities, but can that outperformance continue? Expensive valuations, rising bond yields, and a potential narrowing of EPS growth versus the rest of the world, are risks. Read More
14 January 2025 Navigating broken relationships and untangling assets Untangling assets after a broken relationship can be daunting. But approaching the situation fully informed, in good health and with open communication can make the process more manageable and less costly. Read More
14 January 2025 Beware the bond vigilantes in Australia Unlike their peers in the US and UK, policy makers in Australia haven’t faced a bond market rebellion in recent times. This could change if current levels of issuance at the state and territory level continue. Read More
14 January 2025 What you need to know about retirement village contracts Retirement village contracts often require significant upfront payments, with residents losing control over their money. While they may offer a ‘100% share in capital gain’, it’s important to look at the numbers before committing. Read More
8 January 2025 Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 593 with weekend update The great wealth transfer has begun as Generation X has overtaken Baby Boomers for housing and shares in Australia, according to KPMG research. Though closer analysis suggests that’s incorrect and Boomers still rule the roost. Read More
7 January 2025 Howard Marks warns of market froth The renowned investor has penned his first investor letter for 2025 and it’s a ripper. He runs through what bubbles are, which ones he’s experienced, and whether today’s markets qualify as the third major bubble of this century. Read More
7 January 2025 What to expect from the Australian property market in 2025 The housing market was subdued in 2024, and pessimism abounds as we start the new year. 2025 is likely to be a tale of two halves, with interest rate cuts fuelling a resurgence in buyer demand in the second half of the year. Read More
7 January 2025 How to fix the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme The scheme has not been updated since it was established and is no longer fit for purpose. Members now find themselves disadvantaged in several important ways versus those in other superannuation funds. Read More
7 January 2025 5 key investment themes for the next decade AI has helped markets to new highs and rightly dominated news headlines. Yet there are other themes, including niche ones such as gene editing, which are also expected to drive investment returns over the next decade. Read More
7 January 2025 New avenues of growth make 2025 exciting for investors Investors need to be more discerning this year as headline valuations are high and the economic cycle turns. Dig a little deeper, though, and there are big opportunities in overlooked shares with strong tailwinds. Read More
7 January 2025 The pros and cons of debt recycling strategies Debt recycling is a powerful strategy for those juggling the seemingly competing goals of debt reduction and building an investment portfolio. Yet it’s often misunderstood because it isn’t just a single strategy. Read More
7 January 2025 Australia is out of step on nuclear power Globally, nuclear power is gathering momentum as a differentiated power source in the energy transition to zero carbon emissions. Yet in Australia, a nuclear ban remains, making us an outlier among our Western Allies. Read More
1 January 2025 Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 592 with weekend update One of the best parts of Firstlinks is the community that we’ve created and the thousands of comments that our articles receive. Here is your chance to set the agenda for 2025: what topics would you like to see covered? Read More
31 December 2024 The 20 most popular articles of 2024 Check out the most-read Firstlinks articles from 2024. From ’16 ASX stocks to buy and hold forever’, to ‘The best strategy to build income for life’, and ‘Where baby boomer wealth will end up’, there’s something for all. Read More
31 December 2024 2025: Another bullish year ahead for equities? 2024 was a banner year for equities, with a run-up in US tech stocks broadening into a global market rally, and the big question now is whether the good times can continue? History suggests optimism is warranted. Read More
31 December 2024 Is travel your best investment? Is travel a luxury or a priceless investment? Reflecting on decades of family adventures and solo journeys, this explores how intentional travel creates cherished memories, meaningful connections, and personal growth. Read More
18 December 2024 Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 591 with weekend update Australia is at a crossroads: we’re one of the world’s richest countries, yet our wealth has stagnated over the past 15 years. A review of our history and how we became prosperous offers clues to the best ways to kickstart the economy. Read More
17 December 2024 9 lessons from 2024 Key lessons include expensive stocks can always get more expensive, Bitcoin is our tulip mania, follow the smart money, the young are coming with pitchforks on housing, and the importance of staying invested. Read More
17 December 2024 Time to announce the X-factor for 2024 What is the X-factor – the largely unexpected influence that wasn’t thought about when the year began but came from left field to have powerful effects on investment returns – for 2024? It’s time to select the winner. Read More
17 December 2024 Australian shares struggle as 2020s reach halfway point It’s halfway through the 2020s decade and time to get a scorecheck on the Australian stock market. The picture isn’t pretty as Aussie shares are having a below-average decade so far, though history shows that all is not lost. Read More
17 December 2024 Is FOMO overruling investment basics? Four years ago, we introduced our ‘bubbles’ chart to show how the market had become concentrated in one type of stock and one view of the future. This looks at what, if anything, has changed, and what it means for investors. Read More
17 December 2024 Is Medibank Private a bargain? Regulatory tensions have weighed on Medibank’s share price though it’s unlikely that the government will step in and prop up private hospitals. This creates an opportunity to invest in Australia’s largest health insurer. Read More
17 December 2024 Negative correlations, positive allocations A nascent theme today is that the inverse correlation between bonds and stocks has returned as inflation and economic growth moderate. This broadens the potential for risk-adjusted returns in multi-asset portfolios. Read More
17 December 2024 The secret to a good retirement An Australian anthropologist studying Japanese seniors has come to a counter-intuitive conclusion to what makes for a great retirement: she suggests the seeds may be found in how we approach our working years. Read More
19 November 2024 Meet Robert Jenkins Robert Jenkins, a seasoned Business Development Manager, reveals how Stockspot’s transparent, tailored approach helps secure his family’s financial future while simplifying investing. The post Meet Robert Jenkins appeared first on Stockspot Blog. Read More
12 November 2024 Dollar-cost average or go all in? Everything you need to know about dollar-cost average investing versus lump sum investing. How does it work? Overview and examples. The post Dollar-cost average or go all in? appeared first on Stockspot Blog. Read More
7 November 2024 Meet Paul Irwin Paul Irwin, ex-CEO and business owner, shares how Stockspot’s simple, diversified approach supports his long-term goals. The post Meet Paul Irwin appeared first on Stockspot Blog. Read More
4 November 2024 What are the odds of picking a Melbourne Cup winner? You have a better chance of picking a Melbourne Cup winner than an outperforming global fund manager. The post What are the odds of picking a Melbourne Cup winner? appeared first on Stockspot Blog. Read More
17 October 2024 Best Performing ETFs in Australia in 2024 These ETFs were the best performing ETFs in Australia in 2024. The post Best Performing ETFs in Australia in 2024 appeared first on Stockspot Blog. Read More
15 October 2024 Stockspot Performance Update: September 2024 Our five core options returned 16.2% to 21.9% after fees while our Sustainable options returned between 17.3% and 23.1%. The post Stockspot Performance Update: September 2024 appeared first on Stockspot Blog. Read More
15 October 2024 Stockspot Sustainable Portfolios: September 2024 Update Over the 12 months to 30 September 2024, the Stockspot Sustainable Portfolios have delivered returns of 17.3% to 23.1% (after fees). The post Stockspot Sustainable Portfolios: September 2024 Update appeared first on Stockspot Blog. Read More
15 October 2024 Helping friends and family discover the power of investing This article offers tools to highlight the importance of investing and to help you share valuable insights for becoming a successful investor. The post Helping friends and family discover the power of investing appeared first on Stockspot Blog. Read More
13 October 2024 What are the best high interest cash ETFs in Australia? How to invest in a high interest savings account through an exchange traded fund (ETF) on the ASX. The post What are the best high interest cash ETFs in Australia? appeared first on Stockspot Blog. Read More
12 October 2024 What are the best growth ETFs of 2024? We review the best high growth ETFs on the ASX and discuss whether growth ETFs are a good investment in 2024. The post What are the best growth ETFs of 2024? appeared first on Stockspot Blog. Read More