Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 440

How to make the most of Firstlinks

We strive to find the best content for our readers each week and to make our site a free resource for your investing needs. We edit all articles and curate them into a readable form to maximise the use of your time and there are no annoying logins or forgettable passwords to worry about.

Here are 10 ways to make the most of this resource:

1. Search function

The search box in the top right of the home page is a good way to find articles on almost any financial subject. 

2. Education Centre

This section has become one of the most popular on our website. It holds ETF reports, LIC updates, hybrid pricing and reports on hundreds of listed and unlisted securities. We have added a carousel to the home page to show the reports or it can be accessed from the top menu bar.

3. White Papers

Our sponsors provide longer research papers which often contain more details than their articles. There is now a White Paper section on the menu bar which shows all the papers since 2015, plus a White Paper carousel with the latest pieces.

4. Subject articles highlighted

We have grouped articles into major categories and added a new section under the subscription box which shows the latest articles from each of these major subjects. A chance to catch up on recent material.

5. Archive of all previous editions

Nine years of previous editions are stored under the Archive section on the top menu bar. Select any of the years and previous editions, and there’s a wealth of material.

6. Trending and ‘Most Viewed’ articles

Want to know what others have been reading in the last few weeks? The ‘Trending now’ articles will scroll across the top and be included next to any of the articles in the ‘Most Viewed’ section.

7. Special eBooks

Firstlinks has compiled 11 special eBooks over the years, selecting the best content from specific years or contributions to mark an important anniversary. See them under the top menu tab.

8. List of all authors

Our list of authors reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Australian finance. Under the archive tab on the top menu bar, all authors are listed alphabetically by first name. Follow up on your favourite author.

9. Sponsor section

Each Firstlinks sponsor has its own page under the 'Sponsor' tab. If you read an article and you want to know more about the fund manager or company, it's a place where all previous articles and White Papers are stored. Are they smart enough to justify your business?

10. Free to register

Anyone can register to receive Firstlinks each week for free by filling in the registration box on the home page.

And look out for the return of our popular podcast, 'Wealth of Experience' for Season 2 in early 2022.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

10 ways to make the most of our new website

The Morningstar team welcomes Firstlinks

Onward and upward

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Why the $5.4 trillion wealth transfer is a generational tragedy

The intergenerational wealth transfer, largely driven by a housing boom, exacerbates economic inequality, stifles productivity, and impedes social mobility. Solutions lie in addressing the housing problem, not taxing wealth.

The 2025 Australian Federal election – implications for investors

With an election due by 17 May, we are effectively in campaign mode with the Government announcing numerous spending promises since January and the Coalition often matching them. Here's what the election means for investors.

Finding the best income-yielding assets

With fixed term deposit rates declining and bank hybrids being phased out, what are the best options for investors seeking income? This goes through the choices, and the opportunities and risks involved.

What history reveals about market corrections and crashes

The S&P 500's recent correction raises concerns about a bear market. History shows corrections are driven by high rates, unemployment, or global shocks, and that there's reason for optimism for nervous investors today. 

Howard Marks: the investing game has changed

The famed investor says the rapid switch from globalisation to trade wars is the biggest upheaval in the investing environment since World War Two. And a new world requires a different investment approach.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 605 with weekend update

Trump's tariffs and China's retaliatory strike have sent the Nasdaq into a bear market with the S&P 500 not far behind. What are the implications for the economy and markets, and what should investors do now? 

  • 3 April 2025

Latest Updates

Investment strategies

4 ways to take advantage of the market turmoil

Every crisis throws up opportunities. Here are ideas to capitalise on this one, including ‘overbalancing’ your portfolio in stocks, buying heavily discounted LICs, and cherry picking bombed out sectors like oil and gas.

Shares

Why the ASX needs dual-class shares

The ASX is exploring the introduction of dual class share structures for listed companies. Opposition is building to the plan but the ASX should ignore the naysayers and bring Australia into line with its global peers.

The state of women's wealth in Australia

New research shows the average Australian woman has $428,000 in net wealth, 40% less than the average man. This takes a deep dive into what the gender wealth gap looks like across different life stages.

Investing

The two most dangerous words in investing

Market extremes are where the biggest investment risks and opportunities lie. While events like this are usually only obvious in hindsight, learning to watch out for these two words can alert you to them in real time.

Shares

Investing in the backbone of the digital age

Semiconductors are used to make microchips and are essential to a vast range of technology and devices. This looks at what’s driving demand for chips, how the industry is evolving, and favoured stocks to play the theme.

Gold

Why gold’s record highs in 2025 differ from prior peaks

Gold prices hit new recent highs, driven by a stronger euro, tariff concerns, and steady ETF buying – all while the precious metal’s fundamental backdrop remains solid amid a shifting global economic landscape.

Now might be the best time to switch out of bank hybrids

In this interview, Schroders' Helen Mason discusses investing in corporate and financial credit securities, market impacts of tariffs, opportunities for cash investments, and views on tier two and hybrid bonds.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.