Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Register

22 February 2025

Home / 501

Some Reader Survey results, and time to respond

(Thanks for your interest in this Reader Survey, which is now closed with about 800 responses).

It is many years since we found out more about our readers and what they like and don't like about Firstlinks. We have received hundreds of responses to our Reader Survey, but we will leave it open for a few more days to maximise the sample size.

We promise we read and take onboard every one of the thousands of comments received. It is appreciated to hear so many of you look forward to receiving our newsletter.

Your feedback across a dozen quick questions will help to improve our content and it should take only a few minutes. The survey can be accessed via this link, or using the embedded form below.

The responses have been both insightful and surprising. Many have pointed to our independence and breadth of articles as strengths, and subcribers enjoy reading the comments attached to articles.

Age and SMSFs

One surprise has been the age of our subscribers, as the chart below reveals. We're sure there are more younger readers than shown here! Where are all the Gen X and Y? 

Reflecting this age distribution, most respondents are members of an SMSF, and a high proportion are retired. This is far higher than in previous surveys, and probably shows who is willing to put the time into responding rather than representing our audience.  

Passing to a friend or colleague

Firstlinks does not play the clickbait game of many newsletters, nor have we ever bought a mailing list, and we rely on our readers to refer the newsletter to friends and colleagues. We are grateful that 93% of respondents have either already referred, or are very likely or likely to, with some reasonable explanations of why they do not:

  • Most of my friends are not interested, simply pay and have others do it
  • I never refer or recommend anything to anybody
  • Most of my friends are dead already
  • I recommend to nobody. A problem with you becomes a problem with me
  • Most folk don't want to know and invest in term deposits and are too afraid to seek paid advice.

How likely are you to refer a friend or colleague to Firstlinks?

It's also useful for us to learn more about the subjects you would like Firstlinks to cover. 

What part of your investing do you want most help with?

So thanks again to all the respondents and please jump aboard if you have yet to share your views. 

 

Firstlinks is sponsored by:
banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Retirement is a risky business for most people

While encouraging people to draw down on their accumulated wealth in retirement might be good public policy, several million retirees disagree because they are purposefully conserving that capital. It’s time for a different approach.

The perfect portfolio for the next decade

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.

UniSuper’s boss flags a potential correction ahead

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.

The challenges with building a dividend portfolio

Getting regular, growing income from stocks is tougher with the dividend yield on the ASX nearing 25-year lows. Here are some conventional and not-so-conventional ideas for investors wanting to build a dividend portfolio.

How much do you need to retire?

Australians are used to hearing dire warnings that they don't have enough saved for a comfortable retirement. Yet most people need to save a lot less than you might think — as long as they meet an important condition.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 594 with weekend update

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.

  • 16 January 2025

Latest Updates

Investment strategies

UniSuper’s boss flags a potential correction ahead

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.

9 ways to fix Australia's housing crisis

Decades of policy failure have induced a fall in housing affordability. Unless painful changes are made, an underclass will emerge in a society that is supposed to boast the one of the world's highest standards of living.

Shares

Australia: why the chase for even higher dividend yields?

Australia boasts one of the world's highest dividend yielding sharemarkets, providing substantial benefits to investors and retirees. Despite this, individuals often stretch for even more yield, to their detriment.

Shares

MIGA – Make Income Great Again

The Australian sharemarket seems to be rewarding a number of unprofitable companies on the promise of future riches. Yet profits and cashflows still matter, as a recent case study of Domino's Pizza shows.

Shares

Mapping future US market returns

Exceptional returns from the US sharemarket over the past decade have driven by sales growth, margin expansion, rising valuations, and dividends. Predicting future returns requires careful consideration of these factors.

Shares

Read this before you go all in on US equities

US equities rule global markets, but history is littered with examples of markets that seemed invincible — until they weren’t. Diversification will be key for investor portfolios going forwards.

Property

What impact would scrapping stamp duty have on housing?

Increasing house prices pose challenges for housing affordability. This investigates the impact of stamp duty on the property market, and how removing the tax could help address several key issues.

Sponsors

Alliances

Site Map

About Firstlinks

© 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.