Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / Author: Leisa Bell

Leisa Bell

Your predictions for the US presidential election and the ASX300

Trump or Biden? Our readers make a nailbiting call, while your predictions for the ASX300 over the long term show optimism while flat over the short term. The best insights come from the hundreds of revealing comments.

Your views on the Victorian COVID restrictions

The second wave of COVID-19 sweeping Victoria and the resulting lockdown have taken a huge toll on the state's economy and its population. Was the government's reaction heavy-handed or necessary?

Survey on COVID-19's impact and management

Following on from our April 2020 COVID survey, how have your opinions and circumstances changed? Have government policies been effective? How has your portfolio fared? What does 'the other side' look like?

COVID survey results: All you need is LUV

Only 17% of our readers think we have seen a market bottom, and there's debate about the L, U or V shaped recovery. While most of the Government's actions are supported, checking has been lax.

Morningstar: Douglass interview, 29 top picks, corona research

Three Morningstar resources are available to Firstlinks readers to assist in the current market turmoil. A short Hamish Douglass interview, detailed US research into the virus and a special trial offer.

Poll results: Equity manager cash allocations

Last week's poll on whether equity managers should be holding large allocations of cash had more than 400 responses. Disclosure is the key to keeping investors happy.

Latest Updates

Shares

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.

Property

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.

Superannuation

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.

Investment strategies

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.

Shares

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.

Investment strategies

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.

Investment strategies

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.

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.