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22 January 2025
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The hourly and daily milieu of financial news is noise for long-term investors. Seen from a distance, the perpetual musings from economists and analysts look like contradictory guesses, likely to encourage over-trading and exiting at the wrong time. Tune it out.
Many investors sell because they think the stockmarket will fall, with the intention of reinvesting. It requires two correct timing decisions but what signals will prompt a reinvestment? It's harder than it looks.
The market capitalisation of Apple now tops US$3 trillion, equivalent to the world's seventh largest country by GDP. The company has permeated our lives and made many investors richer, but when does big become too big?
Tax breaks are one reason to have long term investments in super because it can mean a complete tax exemption on capital gains that have built up over years. But is it essential to start the pension before selling assets?
The 'Magnificent Seven' stocks in the US have had an incredible run and many investors are wondering how long it can last. While it may be tempting to take profits in these stocks, it could prove a costly error.
More than a third of SMSFs have indicated an increased allocation to cash and cash-like products. Cash is often seen as risk-free yet it isn't, especially when high inflation means real cash returns remain in the red.
Our latest podcast features John Abernethy of Clime Investment Management on super funds' biggest problem, Peter with a different take on the unlisted assets issue, while Graham looks at retiree fears of running out of money.
Moving yourself or a loved one to a nursing home is an important and complex decision: it can affect your income, wealth, means-tested aged care fee, and bequests. Here are some things to consider before you decide.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.