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14 March 2025
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Markets are undergoing a mini-crash and there’s a whiff of fear in the air. The challenge for investors is emotional rather than intellectual, and here are three rules to ensure that your portfolio remains on track.
New figures show Australia’s household wealth has reached a record-high $17.2 trillion, or $623,000 per person. It’s been driven by continued growth in superannuation assets, including SMSFs, as well as resilient property prices.
Welcome to a special 600th Edition of Firstlinks. Over 12 years, Firstlinks has become one of Australia’s leading financial newsletters. We mark the occasion as well as delve into the best ways to find a good fund manager.
The world’s largest mutual fund company, Vanguard, says AI will drive a US economic renaissance and tame inflation. And it believes the biggest beneficiaries of the transformation won’t be the large-cap tech companies.
Advisers and newsletters such as ours invariably focus on financial aspects of retirement. But retirement is about more than money; it’s about having goals, finding purpose, and connecting more deeply with family and friends.
New figures show the cost-of-living crisis is continuing to hit workers hard, though it appears to be easing for pensioners. The Government’s problem is that people have long memories when it comes to price increases.
Scientific research suggests that your personality largely determines your financial success. This looks at the latest studies and what tools that you can use to improve self-awareness and become a better investor.
A new book provides fascinating, little known insights into the earliest investments of the world’s greatest investor, Warren Buffett, including one which may have been the blueprint for Berkshire Hathaway.
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.
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.
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?
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.
This time last year, I highlighted 16 ASX stocks that investors could own indefinitely. One year on, I look at whether there should be any changes to the list of stocks as well as which companies are worth buying now.
The CIO of Australia’s fourth largest super fund by assets, John Pearce, suggests the odds favour a flat year for markets, with the possibility of a correction of 10% or more. However, he’ll use any dip as a buying opportunity.
With the arrival of the new year, the first members of ‘Generation X’ turned 60, marking the start of the MTV generation’s collective journey towards retirement. Are Gen Xers and our retirement system ready for the transition?
The capital gains tax main residence exemption is no longer 'fit for purpose', due to its inequities, inefficiency, and complexity. Here are several suggestions for adapting or curtailing the concession.
The ABS recently released figures which are used to determine key superannuation rates and thresholds that will apply from 1 July 2025. This outlines the rates and thresholds that are changing and those that aren’t.
A Grattan Institute report suggests lifetime annuities as a solution to people not spending their super balances. The issue is whether underspending is the real problem or a sign of more fundamental failings in our retirement system.