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21 January 2025
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Taking the path less travelled led to a remarkable return from this small-cap. Here is the inside track on how our investment unfolded, and why we don't think the story has finished yet.
Markets have started this year well yet there are still several exciting long-term themes that are underappreciated by global investors. They include alternative assets, luxury goods, AI, and mission-critical financial firms.
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?
Investors frustrated by tedious fund application processes may benefit as asset managers look for ways to enhance their proposition and profit. Digital tokens are the next big thing as a way to represent ownership.
Politicians, unions, business executives and economists met at the Jobs and Skills Summit last week, and the opening address has been widely praised for capturing the problems faced and suggesting solutions.
Senator Hume describes the crypto ecosystem as a new virtual frontier, and says she will not stand in the way of pioneering Australians chasing the opportunities and benefits presented by innovations in crypto assets.
A structural theme that will drive future earnings growth is the ‘emerging consumer’. The rising wealth in emerging economies will drive sub-sectors such as luxury goods, cosmetics, travel, global brands and alcohol.
Rather than marking the end of a bull run for technology, the recent sell-off is just a healthy correction and offers a great buying opportunity into technology leaders that have strong long-term earnings growth.
This month's look at innovations changing the world explores computer chips, cryptocurrencies, renewables, cybersecurity, robotics, mobility, alternative foods, finance ... there is no limit to human ingenuity.
Six portfolio managers look at how life may change by the end of the decade and how shifting trends are influencing their investment decisions. It's an optimistic view of the world in 2030 as a better place.
A monthly look at innovations changing the world explores cornea transplants, cancer diagnosis, aging, AI, virtual and augmented reality, disinformation, mobility, space, environment, batteries ... there is no limit.
While valuations for large tech stocks are now high, investors don’t need to pay big prices on stocks with technolgy advantages if they are prepared to dig a little deeper. Here are three worth checking.
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.