Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 6

Edition 6

  •   15 March 2013
  •      
  •   

Welcome from Chris Cuffe

It was Greg Perry’s Australian equity investment expertise that helped lay the foundation for Colonial First State to become the largest fund manager in Australia. Greg left behind the world of big portfolios in 2002 and has never returned to it. Even when he ran his own boutique fund for a few years, he made sure he had a completely unfettered mandate, and now he only manages his own money, without the constraints of his corporate days. This week, I explore some of the advantages of being a relatively small investor.

We’re Jack Gray groupies at Cuffelinks, and I’m delighted to have him among our Contributors. Last month, Jack was named by Asset International as one of the ten most influential academics in the institutional investing world, and he gives us two pragmatic principles we should all consider.

Graham Hand recently attended a gold conference to shed some light on the lustre that has seen gold rise from $400 ten years ago to $1,600 now, and came away more enthralled by the people who work in the industry than the precious metal itself. Make up your own mind.

And as ever, we have a couple of pieces to guide your path to greater financial independence: Rick Cosier on the attractions of transition to retirement pensions, and Warren Bird makes some powerful observations about bond funds which will challenge your understanding.

Latest posts from Cuffelinks, 15 February 2013, Edition 6

  • Small can be beautiful Chris Cuffe
  • Nixon’s Mum Jack Gray
  • Is a ‘transition to retirement’ pension worthwhile? Rick Cosier
  • Bond funds and term deposits are apples and apples Warren Bird
  • Fun at a gold conference, but it’s not all glistering Graham Hand

View email | Download PDF


 

Leave a Comment:

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Maybe it’s time to consider taxing the family home

Australia could unlock smarter investment and greater equity by reforming housing tax concessions. Rethinking exemptions on the family home could benefit most Australians, especially renters and owners of modest homes.

Simple maths says the AI investment boom ends badly

This AI cycle feels less like a revolution and more like a rerun. Just like fibre in 2000, shale in 2014, and cannabis in 2019, the technology or product is real but the capital cycle will be brutal. Investors beware.

Why we should follow Canada and cut migration

An explosion in low-skilled migration to Australia has depressed wages, killed productivity, and cut rental vacancy rates to near decades-lows. It’s time both sides of politics addressed the issue.

Are LICs licked?

LICs are continuing to struggle with large discounts and frustrated investors are wondering whether it’s worth holding onto them. This explains why the next 6-12 months will be make or break for many LICs.

Australian house price speculators: What were you thinking?

Australian housing’s 50-year boom was driven by falling rates and rising borrowing power — not rent or yield. With those drivers exhausted, future returns must reconcile with economic fundamentals. Are we ready?

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 625 with weekend update

Is it better to live rich or die rich? While many of us were raised to believe that preserving wealth for the next generation is the ultimate goal, a recent gathering I attended hinted that this mindset may be shifting.

  • 21 August 2025

Latest Updates

Economics

Why super returns may be heading lower

Five mega trends point to risks of a more inflation prone and lower growth environment. This, along with rich market valuations, should constrain medium term superannuation returns to around 5% per annum.

Property

Should housing home people or money?

Australia’s home ownership dream is fading as prices soar beyond the reach of many. To achieve affordable prices, the way that Australians view housing as a means of building wealth may need to change.

Retirement

Retirement income expectations hit new highs

Younger Australians think they’ll need $100k a year in retirement - nearly double what current retirees spend. Expectations are rising fast, but are they realistic or just another case of lifestyle inflation?

Economy

Mitigate or adapt: the climate challenge

When change comes we have three paths: ignore it, try to soften its blow, or adapt to it. Australia leans hard on mitigation for climate change but neglects adaptation, leaving us exposed and unprepared.

Retirement

The three key drivers of a purposeful retirement

The concept of retirement is evolving for Australians, with new research showing a desire to work post-retirement and prioritize social connections. Quality financial advice and ‘practising’ retirement activities are key.

Investment strategies

Australia’s moment? De-dollarisation gains momentum

Global credit markets face a fundamental shift as US dollar dominance wanes. Australian investment-grade credit, with attractive spreads and stability, may emerge as a key beneficiary in this structural capital reallocation.

Economy

AI is more smoke and mirrors than a revolution

AI hype oversells machine 'intelligence', masking its true nature as pattern replication. This flood of synthetic content threatens trust and fairness - underscoring the enduring need for thoughtful human oversight.

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.