Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 236

Summer Series Guest Editor, Greg Paramor AO

Cuffelinks' mantra is “Connecting investors with ideas” and it has certainly lived up to it over many years. When Graham asked me to pick five articles, it was like being asked to pick the best wines – no one will agree. Picking the best wine depends on your individual palate, the region, the grape variety, the acidity, the alcohol content to name a few. Picking the best articles depends upon whether you like equities, bonds, property or a combination, are you new to investing or a sophisticated investor, what’s your risk appetite, do you study the markets or are you a day trader.

I like to be challenged, I like innovation and I like looking over the horizon. I also like learning from history. The articles I have picked from the Cuffelinks vault reflect this.

Howard Marks on risk and how to handle it: Howard has an amazing insight into the markets with US$100 billion under management. He consistently talks about risk. Whilst this article is a summary of a slide presentation he did in 2014, the message is timeless. As Howard said about risk “something to be managed and controlled, not avoided”.

My 10 biggest investment management lessons: Despite this article being written by Chris Cuffe for his own newsletter, I have a huge respect for Chris and what he has achieved in funds management. I have no doubt part of his success is that he lives and breathes these simple but insightful lessons. Many people make investing complicated but when you cut through the hype and euphoria, whether in a bull or bear market, all investors whether new or sophisticated, should never lose sight of the basics.

Business model disruption has barely begun: Parts 1 and 2: We are in a world of enormous change and disruption. Hamish Douglass’ articles provide an insight into the world of disruption and how companies old and new are adapting.

The evolution of Listed Investment Companies: Whilst LICS have been around since the 1920’s, the last few years has seen an explosion in the number of LICs and acceptance as a legitimate investment option by institutions, SMSFs, and mum and dad investors. Written four years ago, Chris Stott’s article concludes, “I believe that the momentum gained in recent years has scope to continue given the thematics for the sector.” Well, he certainly got that right.

Real estate social infrastructure coming of age: At Folkestone, we believe that real estate social infrastructure is a legitimate investment option. Adrian Harrington’s article back in 2015 (please excuse the self indulgence!) defined what comprises real estate social infrastructure, the drivers, the risks and different investment options. In recent years, both institutional and retail capital has flowed into this sector and childcare, seniors housing, student accommodation, health and medical facilities and government assets are no longer seen as the poor cousins to office, retail and industrial assets.

Greg Paramor is Managing Director of the listed property group, Folkestone (ASX:FLK). He is a past President of the Property Council of Australia and was awarded an AO in January 2015 for services to the not-for-profit sector and the real estate industry.


 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

Beat the market: active ETFs v LICs v unlisted managed funds

Listed property headlines disguise full story

Have A-REIT share prices bottomed out?

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Why the $5.4 trillion wealth transfer is a generational tragedy

The intergenerational wealth transfer, largely driven by a housing boom, exacerbates economic inequality, stifles productivity, and impedes social mobility. Solutions lie in addressing the housing problem, not taxing wealth.

The 2025 Australian Federal election – implications for investors

With an election due by 17 May, we are effectively in campaign mode with the Government announcing numerous spending promises since January and the Coalition often matching them. Here's what the election means for investors.

Finding the best income-yielding assets

With fixed term deposit rates declining and bank hybrids being phased out, what are the best options for investors seeking income? This goes through the choices, and the opportunities and risks involved.

What history reveals about market corrections and crashes

The S&P 500's recent correction raises concerns about a bear market. History shows corrections are driven by high rates, unemployment, or global shocks, and that there's reason for optimism for nervous investors today. 

Howard Marks: the investing game has changed

The famed investor says the rapid switch from globalisation to trade wars is the biggest upheaval in the investing environment since World War Two. And a new world requires a different investment approach.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 605 with weekend update

Trump's tariffs and China's retaliatory strike have sent the Nasdaq into a bear market with the S&P 500 not far behind. What are the implications for the economy and markets, and what should investors do now? 

  • 3 April 2025

Latest Updates

Investment strategies

4 ways to take advantage of the market turmoil

Every crisis throws up opportunities. Here are ideas to capitalise on this one, including ‘overbalancing’ your portfolio in stocks, buying heavily discounted LICs, and cherry picking bombed out sectors like oil and gas.

Shares

Why the ASX needs dual-class shares

The ASX is exploring the introduction of dual class share structures for listed companies. Opposition is building to the plan but the ASX should ignore the naysayers and bring Australia into line with its global peers.

The state of women's wealth in Australia

New research shows the average Australian woman has $428,000 in net wealth, 40% less than the average man. This takes a deep dive into what the gender wealth gap looks like across different life stages.

Investing

The two most dangerous words in investing

Market extremes are where the biggest investment risks and opportunities lie. While events like this are usually only obvious in hindsight, learning to watch out for these two words can alert you to them in real time.

Shares

Investing in the backbone of the digital age

Semiconductors are used to make microchips and are essential to a vast range of technology and devices. This looks at what’s driving demand for chips, how the industry is evolving, and favoured stocks to play the theme.

Gold

Why gold’s record highs in 2025 differ from prior peaks

Gold prices hit new recent highs, driven by a stronger euro, tariff concerns, and steady ETF buying – all while the precious metal’s fundamental backdrop remains solid amid a shifting global economic landscape.

Now might be the best time to switch out of bank hybrids

In this interview, Schroders' Helen Mason discusses investing in corporate and financial credit securities, market impacts of tariffs, opportunities for cash investments, and views on tier two and hybrid bonds.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 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.