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Ashley Owen

Budget time and Labor v Liberal on fiscal discipline

When comparing the fiscal disciplines of left- and right-leaning parties, do the stereotypes prevail? This first part of a three-part series looks at which parties have produced more federal surpluses and deficits.

Silver and bronze go to United States and United Kingdom

Continuing our series on the best performing stock markets since the GFC, the recoveries of the US and the UK place them on the podium, thanks in part to brain power and the strength of their huge global companies.

Australia can learn from gold medal winner, Denmark

At a time when Australia is worrying about the loss of manufacturing jobs, Denmark's gold-medal economic recovery since the GFC has some interesting policy implications for us.

Stock market Olympics, and the winners are -

In some countries, stock markets have already surpassed their pre-GFC peaks. There are some surprising winners, and Australia lags despite our recent economic growth being the best in the developed world.

Economic growth and equity return outlook

Surely it's a truism that economic growth, earnings growth and growth in stock prices are directly related. When you look over the last three decades, the real world appears quite different.

Global stock markets in 2013

A pictorial look at how the main developed and emerging stock markets fared in a post-GFC world, with an unfashionable conclusion. Which countries came out on top, and which were best avoided?

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Planning

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. 

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.

Investment strategies

CGT reform and fund turnover: who really feels the impact?

The implications of CGT reform are far and wide. As the 50% discount gives way to inflation indexation, turnover and return profiles may become critical drivers of after-tax performance. Some strategies face a far greater hit. 

Superannuation

Super was built for a very different Australia

Our retirement system was built around assumptions that no longer hold. Lower homeownership, longer lifespans and changing expectations are exposing cracks that policymakers and super funds need to address. 

Retirement

Retirement in reality - 4 months in

Many people spend years planning financially for retirement but little time preparing for what comes next. Four months in, here are the surprising lessons i've learnt on finding purpose, social connection and healthy habits. 

Investment strategies

After the Budget, Australia needs its own definition of quality

As tax reforms reshape investment incentives, investors should rethink what quality investing means in the uniquely concentrated Australian market, where traditional frameworks may not translate as effectively.

Datacenters are the new shale oil

Why are tech giants pouring billions into datacentres when the economics look questionable? The most dangerous words in investing may be: "everyone else is doing it". Today's AI boom has striking parallels with the shale bust.

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