Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Community Rules Policy

  •      
  •   

Firstlinks is part of a community of investors sharing ideas and we welcome your comments on any article. We want everyone to benefit from this community, and request that your comments are respectful and sincere. You may use your real name or an alias to identify your comment, but the name should not be offensive, defamatory or impersonate another person, or be otherwise unacceptable.

When sharing external material on our website, please limit quotes to no more than one paragraph, and use links to other websites with a short summary of the relevant material, rather than copying large amounts of content. You must not upload any information that you do not have a right to make available, or that is subject to confidentiality or copyright.

Firstlinks may moderate comments, and when you post a comment, it may not appear immediately because it is either awaiting approval, or contravenes this Policy. Links to personal and other inappropriate sites will usually be removed.

Comments can be supportive, critical or provide further information. We welcome comments which challenge another opinion, but if you disagree with an article, you must not personally attack or harass the author.

We reserve the right not to publish, or to delete or edit comments that are:

  • Not relevant to the debate or subject
  • Abusive, offensive, defamatory, misleading or otherwise unacceptable
  • Criticising a company or person without constructively adding to the subject or without sufficient supporting argument
  • Attacking the person rather than the subject
  • Not well written or understandable
  • Clearly politically biased
  • In the nature of advertising, product promotion, personal showcasing or in any way soliciting for business.

If you participate on this web site, you shall not post or upload any messages, data, graphics, links or other material which are unlawful or abusive in any way, or which violate the rights of any party, or give rise to liability or violate any law.

Comments are submitted by readers and we cannot guarantee the accuracy or integrity of all submissions. Some readers may contravene our Terms and Conditions as we cannot check every part of their comments.

To the extent allowable under the law, you bear all risk associated with your use of our website, newsletter or any other communication from us. You should not rely on comments in making any investment or other decision. In the event that you have any right, claim or action against any reader arising out of that reader’s comments, then you will pursue such right, claim or action independently of, and without recourse to, us. Your continued use of this website is agreement to these terms.

Firstlinks does not offer personal financial advice. We do not know your financial circumstances, and nor can anyone who provides a comment. We expressly exclude our liability for any loss or damage arising from the posting of comments on our web site.

By submitting comments you agree to indemnify and to continue to indemnify Morningstar Australasia Pty Limited (publisher of Firstlinks) to the full extent possible under the law against all claims, costs and expenses of any type arising out of any such comments.

 

  •      
  •   

 

Leave a Comment:

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Ray Dalio on 2025’s real story, Trump, and what’s next

The renowned investor says 2025’s real story wasn’t AI or US stocks but the shift away from American assets and a collapse in the value of money. And he outlines how to best position portfolios for what’s ahead.

Making sense of record high markets as the world catches fire

The post-World War Two economic system is unravelling, leading to huge shifts in currency, bond and commodity markets, yet stocks seem oblivious to the chaos. This looks to history as a guide for what’s next.

3 ways to fix Australia’s affordability crisis

Our cost-of-living pressures go beyond the RBA: surging house prices, excessive migration, and expanding government programs, including the NDIS, are fuelling inflation, demanding bold, structural solutions.

Is there a better way to reform the CGT discount?

The capital gains tax discount is under review, but debate should go beyond its size. Its original purpose, design flaws and distortions suggest Australia could adopt a better, more targeted approach.

How cutting the CGT discount could help rebalance housing market

A more rational taxation system that supports home ownership but discourages asset speculation could provide greater financial support to first home buyers.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 648 with weekend update

This is my last edition as Editor of Firstlinks. I’m moving onto a new role though the newsletter will remain in good hands until my permanent replacement is found.

  • 5 February 2026

Latest Updates

Property

The 5% deposit scheme is bad for homeowners and Australia

An ‘affordability’ scheme making the county more vulnerable to economic shocks and contributing to the deteriorating financial situation of everyday Australians.

Investment strategies

Is defensive the new offensive?

Relatively boring, unglamorous, defensive stocks like Kroger and Allstate have quietly outperformed gilded tech giants, offering steady growth, visibility, and resilient returns in a market captivated by AI and flashier industries.

Shares

How the RBA scores on its inflation goal

The Reserve Bank continues to face criticism from all sides. A reminder of the RBA's mandate and a review of their track record in maintaining price stability since the early 1990s.

Investment strategies

Levered credit: A late cycle ingredient for drawdown pain

As credit spreads normalised through 2025, yield‑hungry investors have turned to leverage for high returns, uncomfortably echoing pre‑GFC behaviours. Investors need to be careful to understand the true risk‑return trade‑off.

Planning

The more things change… longevity just goes on increasing

Australia needs a major shift in longevity awareness, attitudes and behaviour if, as a community, we are to reap the benefits of increasing longevity. Adopting a national strategy is well overdue.

Property

The improving outlook of Australian commercial real estate

The sector is positioned to benefit from defensive and resilient income streams supported by embedded rental increase opportunities. 

Property

Seize hidden opportunities among 50+ home buyer schemes in Australia

There is a laundry list of government schemes to help Australian's struggling with housing affordability. Savvy buyers should take advantage to break into the property market.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2026 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.