Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 236

Summer Series Guest Editor, Greg Paramor AO

Cuffelinks' mantra is “Connecting investors with ideas” and it has certainly lived up to it over many years. When Graham asked me to pick five articles, it was like being asked to pick the best wines – no one will agree. Picking the best wine depends on your individual palate, the region, the grape variety, the acidity, the alcohol content to name a few. Picking the best articles depends upon whether you like equities, bonds, property or a combination, are you new to investing or a sophisticated investor, what’s your risk appetite, do you study the markets or are you a day trader.

I like to be challenged, I like innovation and I like looking over the horizon. I also like learning from history. The articles I have picked from the Cuffelinks vault reflect this.

Howard Marks on risk and how to handle it: Howard has an amazing insight into the markets with US$100 billion under management. He consistently talks about risk. Whilst this article is a summary of a slide presentation he did in 2014, the message is timeless. As Howard said about risk “something to be managed and controlled, not avoided”.

My 10 biggest investment management lessons: Despite this article being written by Chris Cuffe for his own newsletter, I have a huge respect for Chris and what he has achieved in funds management. I have no doubt part of his success is that he lives and breathes these simple but insightful lessons. Many people make investing complicated but when you cut through the hype and euphoria, whether in a bull or bear market, all investors whether new or sophisticated, should never lose sight of the basics.

Business model disruption has barely begun: Parts 1 and 2: We are in a world of enormous change and disruption. Hamish Douglass’ articles provide an insight into the world of disruption and how companies old and new are adapting.

The evolution of Listed Investment Companies: Whilst LICS have been around since the 1920’s, the last few years has seen an explosion in the number of LICs and acceptance as a legitimate investment option by institutions, SMSFs, and mum and dad investors. Written four years ago, Chris Stott’s article concludes, “I believe that the momentum gained in recent years has scope to continue given the thematics for the sector.” Well, he certainly got that right.

Real estate social infrastructure coming of age: At Folkestone, we believe that real estate social infrastructure is a legitimate investment option. Adrian Harrington’s article back in 2015 (please excuse the self indulgence!) defined what comprises real estate social infrastructure, the drivers, the risks and different investment options. In recent years, both institutional and retail capital has flowed into this sector and childcare, seniors housing, student accommodation, health and medical facilities and government assets are no longer seen as the poor cousins to office, retail and industrial assets.

Greg Paramor is Managing Director of the listed property group, Folkestone (ASX:FLK). He is a past President of the Property Council of Australia and was awarded an AO in January 2015 for services to the not-for-profit sector and the real estate industry.


 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

Beat the market: active ETFs v LICs v unlisted managed funds

Listed property headlines disguise full story

Have A-REIT share prices bottomed out?

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Raising the GST to 15%

Treasurer Jim Chalmers aims to tackle tax reform but faces challenges. Previous reviews struggled due to political sensitivities, highlighting the need for comprehensive and politically feasible change.

100 Aussies: seven charts on who earns, pays, and owns

The Labor government is talking up tax reform to lift Australia’s ailing economic growth. Before any changes are made, it’s important to know who pays tax, who owns assets, and how much people have in their super for retirement.

Here's what should replace the $3 million super tax

With Div. 296 looming, is there a smarter way to tax superannuation? This proposes a fairer, income-linked alternative that respects compounding, ensures predictability, and avoids taxing unrealised capital gains. 

9 winning investment strategies

There are many ways to invest in stocks, but some strategies are more effective than others. Here are nine tried and tested investment approaches - choosing one of these can improve your chances of reaching your financial goals.

Chinese steel - building a Sydney Harbour Bridge every 10 minutes

China's steel production, equivalent to building one Sydney Harbour Bridge every 10 minutes, has driven Australia's economic growth. With China's slowdown, what does this mean for Australia's economy and investments?

With markets near record highs, here's what you should do with your portfolio

Markets have weathered geopolitical turmoil, hitting near record highs. Investors face tough decisions on valuations, asset concentration, and strategic portfolio rebalancing for risk control and future returns.

Latest Updates

Retirement

The best way to get rich and retire early

This goes through the different options including shares, property and business ownership and declares a winner, as well as outlining the mindset needed to earn enough to never have to work again.

Shares

Boom, bubble or alarm?

After a stellar 2025 to date for equities, warning signs - from speculative froth to stretched valuations - suggest the market’s calm may be masking deeper fragilities. Strategic rebalancing feels increasingly timely.

Property

A perfect storm for housing affordability in Australia

Everyone has a theory as to why housing in Australia is so expensive. There are a lot of different factors at play, from skewed migration patterns to banking trends and housing's status as a national obsession.

Economy

Which generation had it toughest?

Each generation believes its economic challenges were uniquely tough - but what does the data say? A closer look reveals a more nuanced, complex story behind the generational hardship debate. 

Shares

Is the iPhone nearing its Blackberry moment?

Blackberry clung on to the superiority of keyboards at the beginning of the touchscreen era and paid the ultimate price. Could the rise of agentic AI and a new generation of hardware do something similar to Apple?

Fixed interest

Things may finally be turning for the bond market

The bond market is quietly regaining strength. As rate cuts loom and economic growth moderates, high-quality credit and global fixed income present renewed opportunities for investors seeking income and stability. 

Shares

The wisdom of buying absurdly expensive stocks (or not!)

Companies trading at over 10x revenue now account for over 20% of the MSCI World index, levels not seen since the dotcom bubble. Can these shares create lasting value, or are they destined to unravel?

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 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.