Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Register

9 July 2025

Home / 400

Welcome to Firstlinks Special Edition 400

  •   25 March 2021
  • 2
  •      
  •   

Weekend market update: A strong day in the US on Friday with the S&P 500 up 1.7% and NASDAQ a healthy 1.2%. It capped the best week for the Australian market in the last seven, with the S&P/ASX200 up 0.5% on Friday and 1.7% for the week. The market ignored the rising coronavirus cases in Europe and the prospect of up to 150,000 people losing their jobs when JobKeeper ends today (Sunday), with all-systems-go on residential property prices. 

***

Since Firstlinks (initially Cuffelinks) started publishing in February 2013, we have brought you thousands of articles from hundreds of authors. Everything we have published is in a searchable archive on our website. We have focussed on education with product and stock mentions where it is important to show how to access an investment or illustrate a point.

When we started, veteran publisher Greg Bright thought we wouldn't last three months, such is the relentless nature of the industry, but the support of our readers, contributors and sponsors has helped us to 400 editions. Thanks to all, including Greg for the friendly banter.

***

Around 2,500 people retire in Australia every week, and 1.1 million Australians are trustees of their own SMSF, with millions more in large funds. Nurturing the $3 trillion Australians hold in superannuation and trillions more outside super is a lifelong learning process, as Andy Bird, CEO of multinational Pearson Publishing, said last week:

"A growing global middle class and longer careers are driving lifelong and non-academic learning, particularly reskilling and upskilling, a trend that has been accelerated over the past year. This all adds up to a huge momentum in our industry."

This 400th Edition of Firstlinks is different, with three highlights:

1. A special ebook with 45 responses to the question:

“What is the best opportunity for investors over the next few years?”

Thanks to all the market professionals who contributed.

2. An exclusive report by renowned demographer, Bernard Salt, on the number of people that are retiring soon and the profound impact on them and Australia.

3. A special offer for Morningstar Premium and Sharesight. I have personally used Sharesight to monitor and record my investments for many years. It's the place I go for my tax and transaction records and I now use Morningstar Premium to check analyst views on funds and share before I invest.

***

For this week only, we are not publishing our normal set of articles as the 400th Special lead already includes much to digest. We asked contributors to limit their investing ideas to about 200 words to give sharp, short bite-sized pieces. Lots of interesting insights, including from our regulars plus many who have not previously written for Firstlinks.

Read the 400th Special as an article on our website or download the ebook version. Please share with anyone who may benefit from a free subscription.

Bernard Salt's article discloses a demographer's view of retirement and the wave that will hit from 2021 to 2027. There will soon be over five million Australians over the age of 65, and while not all will be retired, most will be vocal and expecting to live healthy and active lives for many decades. It was not that way when their parents were 65.

And look out for the special deal. We don't usually make offers like this in Firstlinks, so I asked Morningstar (owner of this publication) for their best price to combine full access to Morningstar Premium with the portfolio management software of Sharesight. No messing around with a trial. Better to commit to improving your record keeping, looking at the features of Morningstar Premium and taking the time to learn how to use the Sharesight.

If you don't find it useful after a year, all it's cost you is $1 a day, and perhaps half that if you are eligible for a decent tax deduction.

Experience Morningstar Premium’s independent research, data and tools for $365 for your first year. To access this offer for Firstlinks readers, please email mark.lamonica1@morningstar.com with the promo code DOLLARADAY and your full name. You will then be given instructions on a secure subscription.

 

Graham Hand, Managing Editor

 

PDF version of Firstlinks Newsletter

ASX Listed Bond and Hybrid rate sheet from NAB/nabtrade

Monthly market update on listed bonds and hybrids from ASX

Indicative Listed Investment Company (LIC) NTA Report from Bell Potter

LIC Monthly Report from Morningstar

Plus updates and announcements on the Sponsor Noticeboard on our website

 

Firstlinks is sponsored by:
banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

7 examples of how the new super tax will be calculated

You've no doubt heard about Division 296. These case studies show what people at various levels above the $3 million threshold might need to pay the ATO, with examples ranging from under $500 to more than $35,000.

The revolt against Baby Boomer wealth

The $3m super tax could be put down to the Government needing money and the wealthy being easy targets. It’s deeper than that though and this looks at the factors behind the policy and why more taxes on the wealthy are coming.

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

Are franking credits hurting Australia’s economy?

Business investment and per capita GDP have languished over the past decade and the Labor Government is conducting inquiries to find out why. Franking credits should be part of the debate about our stalling economy.

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. 

The huge cost of super tax concessions

The current net annual cost of superannuation tax subsidies is around $40 billion, growing to more than $110 billion by 2060. These subsidies have always been bad policy, representing a waste of taxpayers' money.

Latest Updates

Superannuation

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. 

Superannuation

Less than 1% of wealthy families will struggle to pay super tax: study

An ANU study has found that families with at least one super balance over $3 million have average wealth exceeding $19 million - suggesting most are well placed to absorb taxes on unrealised capital gains.   

Superannuation

Are SMSFs getting too much of a free ride?

SMSFs have managed to match, or even outperform, larger super funds despite adopting more conservative investment strategies. This looks at how they've done it - and the potential policy implications.  

Property

A developer's take on Australia's housing issues

Stockland’s development chief discusses supply constraints, government initiatives and the impact of Japanese-owned homebuilders on the industry. He also talks of green shoots in a troubled property market.

Economy

Lessons from 100 years of growing US debt

As the US debt ceiling looms, the usual warnings about a potential crash in bond and equity markets have started to appear. Investors can take confidence from history but should keep an eye on two main indicators.

Investment strategies

Investors might be paying too much for familiarity

US mega-cap tech stocks have dominated recent returns - but is familiarity distorting judgement? Like the Monty Hall problem, investing success often comes from switching when it feels hardest to do so.

Latest from Morningstar

A winning investment strategy sitting right under your nose

How does a strategy built around systematically buying-and-holding a basket of the market's biggest losers perform? It turns out pretty well, so why don't more investors do it?

Sponsors

Alliances

Site Map

About Firstlinks

© 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.