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

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?

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. 

Lithium's latest drop and what it means for ASX investors

Lithium's latest sell-off has punished ASX miners as prices remain hostage to shifting expectations. The key challenge is navigating a market prone to extreme volatility despite a strong case for the long-term demand outlook.

Retirement spending is not one-size-fits-all

New data challenges the idea that Australians are underspending their super. The bigger issue may be helping retirees navigate complexity, make confident decisions and use their savings to support security, wellbeing and choice.

Latest Updates

Retirement

Will you run out of money in retirement?

Fear of running out has become a defining retirement anxiety. Why do some retirees die with substantial wealth while others deplete their nest egg? Evidence suggests the answer is more complicated than we think. 

Investing

The investment that sidesteps the new tax traps

Tax rules have changed, but many investors are still using yesterday’s strategies. Insurance bonds may offer advantages for those seeking greater control, tax efficiency and certainty about their wealth.

Shares

The role of shareholder yield in a portfolio

Investors may be overlooking a timeless source of returns in a volatile market. The companies that consistently generate and return cash to shareholders have often proved remarkably resilient through uncertainty.

Shares

Australian inflation still well above the RBA's target

The RBA has spent more than three decades pursuing its 2%-3% inflation target. But the numbers tell a far more complicated story than the headlines. The results may surprise both its strongest critics and most loyal defenders.

Retirement

Retirement in reality - 5 months in

Retirement planning doesn't end when work does. Five months in, Joanne reflects on retiring at a different time to your spouse, coping with setbacks and the importance of rest. Some lessons only become clear after the fact.

Latest from Morningstar

What 6 key market indicators are telling investors right now

Are markets still expensive? There are the seven key indicators every investor needs to know. From gold and equities to bonds, oil, bitcoin and the US dollar. The data reveals where opportunities and risks may lie for investors today.

Investing

Can you ride the AI bubble without overpaying?

AI may prove as transformative as the internet, but markets are behaving as if success is guaranteed. As capital races towards unprecedented levels, investors should ask whether enthusiasm is getting ahead of reality.

Sponsors

Alliances

  • ASA-Logo-RGB-ActiveGreen-web.png

© 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.