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Edition: 406

1-8 out of 8 results.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 406 with weekend updates

  • 6 May 2021

This time last year, we were debating the shape of the recovery in alphabetic terms. Choices were the L, where the economy fell and stayed down for a long while, and the U, where the fall was followed by a period on the floor before a rise. Some offered the W, a series of rises and falls as pandemic waves took over, and the K, a widespread drop followed by strong rises and falls across sectors and economies. Are a tick or a swoosh better analogies?

Buffett says stock picking is too hard for most investors

Warren Buffett explained why he believes most investors should not pick stocks but simply own an S&P 500 index fund. "There's a lot more to picking stocks than figuring out what’s going to be a wonderful industry."

Are we underestimating the peak of the V-shaped recovery?

Consensus growth forecasts are far too conservative, and the Coalition’s political challenges and the Budget’s economic windfalls will likely spark additional fiscal spending later in 2021, giving further boosts.

Five reasons why growth versus value is the wrong focus

Rather than marking the end of a bull run for technology, the recent sell-off is just a healthy correction and offers a great buying opportunity into technology leaders that have strong long-term earnings growth.

Why does Australia’s skewed stock market underperform?

The Australian stock market is skewed towards mining and financial services which account for a whopping 55% of market capitalisation. In the US, these two account for only 17%. But there's more to our underperformance.

Three key trends and the power of investing in decarbonisation

Renewable energy is evolving rapidly, and incumbent and non-renewable sources of energy generation have been priced out of the market. But there are many challenges when investing in such a changing paradigm.

Making a positive impact with thematic investing

We can profit from trends that have the potential to change the world, and it's also possible to make a positive impact with thematic investing in the catastrophe and opportunity of climate change.

Real yields, inflation and risk assets in a transition

We are undergoing a multi-year transition where high near-term economic growth drives rising real rates and higher but stable inflation. It bodes well for risky assets but with volatility and changing correlations.

Most viewed in recent weeks

Australian stocks will crush housing over the next decade, one year on

Last year, I wrote an article suggesting returns from ASX stocks would trample those from housing over the next decade. One year later, this is an update on how that forecast is going and what's changed since.

Taxpayers betrayed by Future Fund debacle

The Future Fund's original purpose was to meet the unfunded liabilities of Commonwealth defined benefit schemes. These liabilities have ballooned to an estimated $290 billion and taxpayers continue to be treated like fools.

Australia’s shameful super gap

ASFA provides a key guide for how much you will need to live on in retirement. Unfortunately it has many deficiencies, and the averages don't tell the full story of the growing gender superannuation gap.

The nuts and bolts of testamentary trusts

Unlike family trusts, testamentary trusts are activated posthumously, empowering you to exert post-death control over your assets. Learn how testamentary trusts offer unique benefits and protective measures.

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.

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.

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