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Eric Marais

The quiet winners of AI competition

The tech giants are in a money-throwing contest to secure AI supremacy and may fall short of high investor expectations. The companies supplying this arms race could offer a more attractive way to play AI adoption.

Investing in the backbone of the digital age

Semiconductors are used to make microchips and are essential to a vast range of technology and devices. This looks at what’s driving demand for chips, how the industry is evolving, and favoured stocks to play the theme.

Mapping future US market returns

Exceptional returns from the US sharemarket over the past decade have driven by sales growth, margin expansion, rising valuations, and dividends. Predicting future returns requires careful consideration of these factors.

Is FOMO overruling investment basics?

Four years ago, we introduced our 'bubbles' chart to show how the market had become concentrated in one type of stock and one view of the future. This looks at what, if anything, has changed, and what it means for investors.

Gold: trustless, rustless, shiny, and tiny

While gold can create divisive views - Buffett called it a valueless pet rock - this assesses its place in portfolios from a supply-demand standpoint and versus currencies. Both angles suggest some exposure to gold is prudent.

The power of dividends

In an era where growth companies dominate and the likes of Nvidia grab all of the attention, dividend paying stocks are flying under the radar. Some of these stocks offer compelling prospective returns.

Latest Updates

Are the government’s CGT changes better for young investors?

New CGT rules promise fairness, but could young investors lose out? A practical scenario reveals how changes impact deposit goals, investment choices, and long-term wealth building for the next generation.

Retirement

How to minimise tax with a will

Inheritance tax implications in Australia may surprise some, as poor estate planning without proper wills or trusts can lead to costly tax bills and delays for beneficiaries.

Investment strategies

AI can’t pick winning funds, but it can help you avoid losers

Machine learning has been touted a game changer investment management. But a new study overturns claims that AI can generate positive alpha in mutual funds. Here are some practical takeaways for investors.

Investment strategies

Inflation BIG picture: Boomers got lucky, next Gen not so much

A 150-year view shows inflation's upward bias, driven by shifting monetary regimes and war stocks. This marks an end to the low-inflation boom that enriched boomers and ushers in a higher-inflation era for younger investors.

Planning

Tax deductibility of financial advice improves affordability

A shrinking adviser workforce and rising costs are squeezing access to financial advice, just as demand surges. Expanded tax deductibility offers a modest but meaningful boost to affordability.

Retirement

Retirement in reality – 3 months in

A reflection on travel mishaps, smart decision-making, time pressures and rebuilding health habits. Three months in, here's how to navigate the surprising realities of life after work.

Taxation

Calculating the business cost of Australia’s new 'productivity tax'

Amid a national productivity crisis, new economic analysis finds the tax changes in the 2026 Federal Budget create Australia’s first-ever by design 'Productivity Tax', where young people will pay the biggest price.

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