10 August 2025

Recently trending

Raising the GST to 15%Which generation had it toughest?100 Aussies: seven charts on who earns, pays, and owns Here's what should replace the $3 million super tax Chinese steel - building a Sydney Harbour Bridge every 10 minutes

Reader: "I can quickly sort the items that I am interested in, then research them more fully. It is also a regular reminder that I need to do this."

Reader: "An island of professionalism in an ocean of shallow self-interest. Well done!"

Reader: "Carry on as you are - well done. The average investor/SMSF trustee needs all the help they can get."

Reader: "Best innovation I have seen whilst an investor for 25 years. The writers are brilliant. A great publication which I look forward to."

David Goldschmidt, Chartered Accountant: "I find this a really excellent newsletter. The best I get. Keep up the good work!"

Reader: "Great resource. Cuffelinks is STILL the one and only weekly newsletter I regularly read."

Reader: "Love it, just keep doing what you are doing. It is the right length too, any longer and it might become a bit overwhelming."

Professor Robert Deutsch: "This has got to be the best set of articles on economic and financial matters. Always something worthwhile reading in Firstlinks. Thankyou"

Reader: "Congratulations on a great focussed news source. Australia has a dearth of good quality unbiased financial and wealth management news."

Rob Henshaw: "When I open my computer each day it's the first link I click - a really great read."

Reader: "It's excellent so please don't pollute the content with boring mainstream financial 'waffle' and adverts for stuff we don't want!"

Steve: "The best that comes into our world each week. This is the only one that is never, ever canned before fully being reviewed by yours truly."

John Pearce, Chief Investment Officer, Unisuper: "Out of the (many many) investmentrelated emails I get, Cuffelinks is one that I always open."

Reader: "Is one of very few places an investor can go and not have product rammed down their throat. Love your work!"

Reader: "I subscribe to two newsletters. This is my first read of the week. Thank you. Excellent and please keep up the good work!"

Jonathan Hoyle, CEO, Stanford Brown: "A fabulous publication. The only must-read weekly publication for the Australian wealth management industry."

Ian Silk, CEO, AustralianSuper: "It has become part of my required reading: quality thinking, and (mercifully) to the point."

Eleanor Dartnall, AFA Adviser of the Year, 2014: "Our clients love your newsletter. Your articles are avidly read by advisers and they learn a great deal."

Ian Kelly, CFP, BTACS Financial Services: "Probably the best source of commentary and information I have seen over the past 20 years."

Don Stammer, leading Australian economist: "Congratulations to all associated. It deserves the good following it has."

Reader: " Finding a truly independent and interesting read has been magical for me. Please keep it up and don't change!"

John Egan, Egan Associates: "My heartiest congratulations. Your panel of contributors is very impressive and keep your readers fully informed."

Scott Pape, author of The Barefoot Investor: "I'm an avid reader of Cuffelinks. Thanks for the wonderful resource you have here, it really is first class."

Reader: "Keep it up - the independence is refreshing and is demonstrated by the variety of well credentialed commentators."

Andrew Buchan, Partner, HLB Mann Judd: "I have told you a thousand times it's the best newsletter."

Reader: "The BEST in the game because of diversity and not aligned to financial products. Stands above all the noise."

Noel Whittaker, author and financial adviser: "A fabulous weekly newsletter that is packed full of independent financial advice."

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

Most viewed in recent weeks

Raising the GST to 15%

Treasurer Jim Chalmers aims to tackle tax reform but faces challenges. Previous reviews struggled due to political sensitivities, highlighting the need for comprehensive and politically feasible change.

Noel Whittaker
9 July 2025

Which generation had it toughest?

Each generation believes its economic challenges were uniquely tough - but what does the data say? A closer look reveals a more nuanced, complex story behind the generational hardship debate.

Mark McCrindle
6 August 2025

100 Aussies: seven charts on who earns, pays, and owns

The Labor government is talking up tax reform to lift Australia’s ailing economic growth. Before any changes are made, it’s important to know who pays tax, who owns assets, and how much people have in their super for retirement.

James Gruber
23 July 2025

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.

Tony Dillon
2 July 2025

Chinese steel - building a Sydney Harbour Bridge every 10 minutes

China's steel production, equivalent to building one Sydney Harbour Bridge every 10 minutes, has driven Australia's economic growth. With China's slowdown, what does this mean for Australia's economy and investments?

Ashley Owen
30 July 2025

9 winning investment strategies

There are many ways to invest in stocks, but some strategies are more effective than others. Here are nine tried and tested investment approaches - choosing one of these can improve your chances of reaching your financial goals.

James Gruber
9 July 2025

Latest Updates

Retirement

The best way to get rich and retire early

This goes through the different options including shares, property and business ownership and declares a winner, as well as outlining the mindset needed to earn enough to never have to work again.

James Gruber
6 August 2025
48

Boom, bubble or alarm?

After a stellar 2025 to date for equities, warning signs - from speculative froth to stretched valuations - suggest the market’s calm may be masking deeper fragilities. Strategic rebalancing feels increasingly timely.

Roger Montgomery
6 August 2025
6

Property

A perfect storm for housing affordability in Australia

Everyone has a theory as to why housing in Australia is so expensive. There are a lot of different factors at play, from skewed migration patterns to banking trends and housing's status as a national obsession.

Cameron Kusher
6 August 2025
33

Economy

Which generation had it toughest?

Each generation believes its economic challenges were uniquely tough - but what does the data say? A closer look reveals a more nuanced, complex story behind the generational hardship debate.

Mark McCrindle
6 August 2025
29

Is the iPhone nearing its Blackberry moment?

Blackberry clung on to the superiority of keyboards at the beginning of the touchscreen era and paid the ultimate price. Could the rise of agentic AI and a new generation of hardware do something similar to Apple?

Jimmy Su
6 August 2025
1

Fixed interest

Things may finally be turning for the bond market

The bond market is quietly regaining strength. As rate cuts loom and economic growth moderates, high-quality credit and global fixed income present renewed opportunities for investors seeking income and stability.

Haran Karunakaran
6 August 2025
1

The wisdom of buying absurdly expensive stocks (or not!)

Companies trading at over 10x revenue now account for over 20% of the MSCI World index, levels not seen since the dotcom bubble. Can these shares create lasting value, or are they destined to unravel?

Ben Zhao, Daniel Taylor
6 August 2025
1

Alliances

Site Map

About Firstlinks

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.