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22 January 2025
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Reflections on 2014 and what 2015 may bring, the biggest puzzle in asset allocation, SMSFs ability to fund a comfortable retirement, high yield credit myths, poll results and the SGH20 fund.
The holiday season provides a rare opportunity to ponder the ‘big questions’ in life. For this investment professional, it's the chance to think about the one ‘big question’ that has fascinated and puzzled him for 30 years.
Every investor has questions they are pondering at any point in time. In 2015, finding value in the market, explaining how to think about risk and the design of solutions for the post-retirement phase are three major issues.
The ASFA 'comfortable retirement standard' for a couple is only $58,128 per annum, below the average full-time wage. SMSF trustees should check these numbers as an estimate of how much and at what age before they retire.
Many high yield investors assume the past will be a good indication of the future. A failure to correctly understand the past has led to common but dangerous myths about high yield credit.
As we wrap up 2014 and position ourselves on the blocks of 2015, it is worth considering how investors and consumers might behave. The big uncertainties centre around economic growth, inflation and the value of stocks.
Cuffelinks ran a weekly poll on many subjects throughout 2014, and we have compiled all the results. Thank you to those who became involved, it was interesting to learn your opinions.
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.
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.
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.
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.