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21 January 2025
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The expansion of the 'care sector' represents the most profound structural change to Australia's job market since the mining boom. This analyses how it's come about and the impact it will have on the economy.
As geopolitical tensions rise, Western countries are trying to de-couple from China and source products from other nations. The question is: which countries can replace China as the world's manufacturing powerhouse?
The RBA Governor says Australia has a productivity problem that threatens to undermine economic growth and lead to sticky inflation. There are good reasons for Philp Lowe's concerns and here's what needs to be done.
I gave myself 30 minutes to write an article by asking OpenAI six common investing questions. It searches billions of responses on the internet to generate answers, but you be the judge. Should I polish up my CV?
The Intergenerational Report is an opportunity to talk about ways to a better future, but it is not the one outlined in the paper. It has too many generous assumptions while the budget will always be in deficit.
If you're still getting your head around blockchain, read this quick summary on the potential of distributed ledgers. The technology is not without problems but cannot be ignored.
Productivity growth has slowed, and if it persists, it's another sign that future investment returns will disappoint and fiscal imbalances will persist. There are strategies that might counter the worst effects.
The market has been supplying investors with high dividend-paying stocks, but unfortunately, this focus overlooks better opportunities with more growth and capital appreciation.
The Australian economy faces many challenges from both global and domestic influences, and while opportunities exist for Australian businesses and investors, it's a time for caution.
Investors need to be aware of what’s happening to productivity and how this will affect future returns and the affordability of tax-payer funded pensions, especially if company profits fall.
Since 1973, the Year of the Goat has generated the highest average returns among the 12 Chinese zodiac symbols, averaging an impressive 45.3% each year. Will this continue in 2015?
We don’t know what the world will look like in 2050, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't think about it and plan for different scenarios. Demographic change and growth in emerging markets are major themes.
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.