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Chris Stott

Four key themes to emerge from Asia’s pre-eminent investment conference

An investment conference attended by thousands of leaders from industry and finance points the way to future investment trends.

LICs: Traders versus investors for tax purposes

The ATO distinguishes between LICs, deeming some as investors for tax purposes and some as traders for tax purposes. This distinction has implications for the way dividends are sourced and capital gains are treated.

CEO appointments: internal or external?

The merit of appointing an internal or external CEO depends on the company's circumstances. Internal appointments tend to be more successful, although alignment of interests with shareholders is critical.

Is there an ideal minimum investment in a portfolio?

There is no correct answer to the maximum or minimum amount of exposure to a single company in a portfolio, but liquidity, risk and costs play into the decision.

8 factors to consider when assessing LICs

There are now almost 100 Listed Investment Companies, but they are not created equally. There are important differentiating features that should be considered before choosing where to invest.

Insider sales can be a powerful warning

Purchases and sales of shares in their own company by directors and executives can be a powerful sign of the future potential within a company and should be monitored closely.

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SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: The CGT changes don’t impact super but what about Div 296 tax decisions?

New CGT rules could tip the scales in the super vs non-super debate. For those facing the Division 296 tax, the case for withdrawing has gotten more complex. A "comparison rate" tool may help assess decisions.

Planning

Testamentary trusts post-budget: Estate planning, tax reform and the ‘death tax’ debate

Proposed Budget changes to taxation are casting new uncertainty over testamentary trusts, prompting closer scrutiny of estate planning structures and the real implications of reforms still taking shape.

Taxation

Income tax and bracket creep

Examining how five "tax cuts" stack up against bracket creep. Why offsets and incremental changes may do little to ease rising average tax burdens, compared to structural reform through indexation over time.  

Exchange traded products

The limits of a quality investing approach in Australia

Quality strategies shine globally, but Australia's concentrated market tells a different story. Limited diversification and sector dominance can constrain the defensive outcomes investors have seen in broader markets.

Investment strategies

Balancing opportunity and complexity

As private markets expand, investors face a growing mix of structures, a stabilising private equity cycle and uneven AI disruption. Fresh questions are being raised about where the real opportunities now sit.

Investment strategies

Why strong returns matter as much as generosity

As EOFY approaches, structured giving offers a tax-effective way to support charities, while allowing donations to grow over time and play a longer-term role in family wealth and legacy planning outcomes.

Investment strategies

The most important investment decision you’ll ever make

Stock picking often gets the spotlight, but research shows asset allocation explains the vast majority of long‑term returns. Understanding your mix of growth and defensive assets is the real key to investment success.

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