Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 250

Cuffelinks Newsletter Special Edition 250

  •   27 April 2018
  •      
  •   

This week, Cuffelinks publishes its Special 250th Edition ebook with over 30 market experts sharing a mistake which made them better investors. From the start in 2013, Cuffelinks has committed to independent financial journalism, bringing insights from hundreds of finance professionals to our community of over 37,000 readers.

It's an important time to learn these lessons, as the 88-year-old founder of Vanguard, Jack Bogle, recently said in a CNBC interview:

"I have never seen a market this volatile to this extent in my career. Now that's only 66 years, so I shouldn't make too much of it."

Cuffelinks Special 250th Edition free ebook is linked here.



The Royal Commission steamrolls on

After another shocking week that revealed the worst of the financial advice industry, the Royal Commission has a stark issue in its headlights: how should advice and product be separated to ensure advisers act in the best interests of their clients? Many quality advisers who operate fee-for-service businesses feel all financial advice has been been tarnished by the revelations of the last two weeks. 

Faced with enough material to fill a book, we have broken down a few issues: how the Commission set the tone to expose wrongful advice; what is grandfathering and why is it under threat; and the likelihood of regulations relating to percentage-based fees. We have extracted transcripts of witness statements so readers can make their own judgements.

We also share the feedback from readers received last week, and as background information, we reprise an article written by Harry Chemay in 2014 which explains how FOFA works. An independent adviser, John Leske, offers his views on the current regulations and how financial advice should be restructured.

Tim Fuller provides a short summary of the Commission's forensic dissection of the Henderson Maxwell business (recently acquired by AZ New Generation Advisory). This independent business directed 84% of its clients into its own managed account. It demonstrates that the advice issues are not confined to the big banks and AMP, with some smaller independents having their own versions of vertical integration, or as they prefer to call it, 'leveraging their eco-system'. 

Thanks to subscribers, authors and sponsors for helping Cuffelinks to reach 250 editions.
 

Graham Hand, Managing Editor

Edition 250 | 27 Apr 2018 | Editorial | Newsletter

 

  •   27 April 2018
  •      
  •   

 

Leave a Comment:

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

The strange effect of the 30% minimum capital gains tax

The 30% minimum tax on capital gains sits at the heart of the budget's proposed reforms. Yet the mechanics reveal anomalies that introduce unexpected distortions that raise questions about its design.

Does your will qualify for the discretionary testamentary trust exemption?

Treasury has confirmed the exemption many families were hoping for. But buried in the fine print are two conditions that could leave some wills on the wrong side of the exemption, despite years of careful planning.

Ranking three common retirement strategies

The defining challenge of retirement isn't just about building wealth, it's about converting your lifetime savings into sustainable income. A holistic understanding of different strategies can improve long-term outcomes.

Are you making these SMSF mistakes?

After four decades advising investors, there are a few common mistakes I've seen SMSF investors make. From holding too much cash and chasing yield to overtrading and trusting tips. Are these errors costing you?

Why Australian shares are falling behind the world

Australia’s market boasts a long record of outperformance, but recent results tell a different story. Is the ASX’s lagging performance a temporary setback or evidence that structural forces will keep global markets ahead?

Australia has saved $4.5 trillion for retirement. Here's what matters more

Most Australians approaching retirement can tell you the exact dollar value of their super account. But success depends on more than a sizeable balance. Here's four key questions to ask yourself at the start of the financial year. 

Latest Updates

Investment strategies

UniSuper CIO shares his reflections on the 2025-2026 financial year

Markets climbed a wall of worry in FY26, but artificial intelligence remained the dominant force, rewarding some of the world’s biggest companies while leaving others behind.

Planning

Post-Budget blues? A knee jerk won’t help

Sweeping tax changes are reshaping the investment landscape and many investors are considering major restructures. But before chasing lower tax bills, it's worth asking whether those decisions will strengthen—or undermine your ability to build wealth across generations.

Investment strategies

Is value investing still relevant in today’s stockmarkets?

Is value investing relevant in an age when momentum investing, quant strategies and index funds increasingly dominate markets? It is underappreciated how share price distortions may be creating some of the best opportunities for patient, disciplined investors.

Investment strategies

How to find opportunity in global equities

Australia's concentrated market makes global diversification essential, but breadth alone is not enough. Investors still need a disciplined framework combining business quality, sensible valuation and a credible catalyst.

Gold

What keeps the world’s most patient investors returning to gold

While many investors are asking whether gold has peaked, the world's central banks appear to be asking different questions altogether. Their thinking offers useful insights for long-term investors.

Investment strategies

Don’t underestimate Australia

Investor sentiment towards Australia has turned increasingly gloomy, but the data tells a different story. There are still plenty of reasons to remain optimistic.

Superannuation

Are you making these SMSF mistakes?

After four decades advising investors, there are a few common mistakes I've seen SMSF investors make. From holding too much cash and chasing yield to overtrading and trusting tips. Are these errors costing you?

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.