Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 235

Summer Series, Guest Editor, Gemma Dale

Welcome to this Summer Series edition of Cuffelinks. In theory, this time of year gives us an opportunity to take a break and come back refreshed and renewed for the new year. It is often also a time when we have the opportunity to read, think and consider more deeply those ideas and insights that may not get our closest attention during busier times.

In the spirit of reflection, and improving oneself, the five articles I’ve found most valuable to reconsider start with Cuffelinks Special 200th Edition article, collating the two most valuable pieces of advice that over 30 investment professionals would give their 20-year-old selves. This piece becomes richer with every read, and is peppered with gems that will help to improve my decision making for decades to come.

Having spent many years in the public eye as an SMSF specialist, I am regularly asked about property investment within superannuation. The borrowing rules and their application continue to inflate – and then dash - investor hopes and understanding how it works is still limited. Monica Rule’s excellent piece on how those rules apply to property development continues to hold true.

For those contemplating retirement, an investment concept that garners insufficient attention is sequencing risk. It's the risk of poor market performance early in the investment period, reducing the potential for longer term performance. Kevin O’Sullivan’s article should be read by all investors and professionals dealing with retirement.

I recently re-read Roger Montgomery’s piece, Bubbles and the corruption of risk, quoting Stanley Druckenmiller, formerly of the famous George Soros’ Quantum Fund. Druckenmiller references raisings for credit of dubious quality and Montgomery points to stretched equity valuations as having the potential to create a ‘phony asset bubble’. Nearly three years since this piece was written, equities have rallied strongly and credit markets have suffered no significant correction, but the warnings are there.

And finally, life is not all spreadsheets, as Jack Gray reminds us in Poetry for Investors. Sometimes the greatest insights come from the least likely sources.

A final honorary mention for Alex Denham’s powerful article on the aged care experience of her father. Alex has spent much of her career dissecting the complexities of the legislation governing super, tax, social security and aged care for financial planners and their clients. Utimately what matters is the experience of your loved ones, and how we care for them.

Gemma Dale, Guest Editor

Gemma Dale is Director, SMSF & Investor Behaviour at nabtrade.


 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

Meg on SMSFs: Winding up market linked pensions with care

Meg on SMSFs: Where are the risks in our major super sectors?

How long will you live?

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

16 ASX stocks to buy and hold forever, updated

This time last year, I highlighted 16 ASX stocks that investors could own indefinitely. One year on, I look at whether there should be any changes to the list of stocks as well as which companies are worth buying now. 

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.

2025-26 super thresholds – key changes and implications

The ABS recently released figures which are used to determine key superannuation rates and thresholds that will apply from 1 July 2025. This outlines the rates and thresholds that are changing and those that aren’t.  

Is Gen X ready for retirement?

With the arrival of the new year, the first members of ‘Generation X’ turned 60, marking the start of the MTV generation’s collective journey towards retirement. Are Gen Xers and our retirement system ready for the transition?

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.

What Warren Buffett isn’t saying speaks volumes

Warren Buffett's annual shareholder letter has been fixture for avid investors for decades. In his latest letter, Buffett is reticent on many key topics, but his actions rather than words are sending clear signals to investors.

Latest Updates

Investing

Designing a life, with money to spare

Are you living your life by default or by design? It strikes me that many people are doing the former and living according to others’ expectations of them, leading to poor choices including with their finances.

Investment strategies

A closer look at defensive assets for turbulent times

After the recent market slump, it's a good time to brush up on the defensive asset classes – what they are, why hold them, and how they can both deliver on your goals and increase the reliability of your desired outcomes.

Financial planning

Are lifetime income streams the answer or just the easy way out?

Lately, there's been a push by Government for lifetime income streams as a solution to retirement income challenges. We run the numbers on these products to see whether they deliver on what they promise.

Shares

Is it time to buy the Big Four banks?

The stellar run of the major ASX banks last year left many investors scratching their heads. After a recent share price pullback, has value emerged in these banks, or is it best to steer clear of them?

Investment strategies

The useful role that subordinated debt can play in your portfolio

If you’re struggling to replace the hybrid exposure in your portfolio, you’re not alone. Subordinated debt is an option, and here is a guide on what it is and how it can fit into your investment mix.

Shares

Europe is back and small caps there offer significant opportunities

Trump’s moves on tariffs, defence, and Ukraine, have awoken European Governments after a decade of lethargy. European small cap manager, Alantra Asset Management, says it could herald a new era for the continent.

Shares

Lessons from the rise and fall of founder-led companies

Founder-led companies often attract investors due to leaders' personal stakes and long-term vision. But founder presence alone does not guarantee success, and the challenge is to identify which ones will succeed in the long term.

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.