28 February 2026

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Ray Dalio on 2025’s real story, Trump, and what’s next Making sense of record high markets as the world catches fire 3 ways to fix Australia’s affordability crisis Is there a better way to reform the CGT discount?How cutting the CGT discount could help rebalance housing market

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Edition: 195

1-8 out of 8 results.

Edition 195

24 March 2017

A trader-friend who lives in Illinois USA sent me this chart from The Economist, with the question, "What is it about the old British Empire and house prices?" I replied with the usual stuff on Chinese investment, low interest rates and strong economies, and he came back on the ratios of household debt to GDP, price to disposable income and price to rents. The Economist has a fantastic interactive chart showing 27 countries, but for all their skilled analysis, they've been wrong on Australia since 2002. They now call it 'severely overpriced', and surely we're due at least a flat period.

Four things retirees must know about shares

Don Hamson
23 March 2017
11

Investors and financial market professionals underestimate the power of franking credits to enhance returns, especially in pension phase where franking is fully refunded.

You get what you don’t pay for

Robin Bowerman
23 March 2017
3

While there is a role for both active and passive investments in portfolios, the impact of relatively small reductions in management fees can compound to large amounts over a lifetime of saving.

10 grey swans to watch out for

Lorne Johnson
23 March 2017
2

'Grey swans' are surprises that are improbable but more likely to occur than 'black swans', and investors should consider the possible impact on their portfolios. Some of these swans will paddle by this year.

Should we exclude companies purely on ethical grounds?

Adam Tindall
23 March 2017
9

General principles previously governed ethical investing, but both fund managers and clients now accept the more hard-nosed approach of eliminating certain companies from portfolios.

Big increase in retirees expecting to outlive their savings

Graham Hand
23 March 2017
24

New research shows a rapid increase in the proportion of retirees expecting to outlive their savings, and those not yet retired are worried about markets and not saving enough.

Watch premiums and discounts in LICs

Leisa Bell
23 March 2017
5

Independent Investment Research has released its December Quarter 2016 review of the performance of the 34 LIC's under its coverage. Understand the premiums and discounts to NTA before investing.

Future oil prices: it takes two to contango

Andrew Kaleel, Matthew Kaleel
23 March 2017

US shale oil producers and the combined alliance of OPEC and Russia need one another to maintain the 'sweet spot' in oil sector dynamics and profitability into the future.

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Most viewed in recent weeks

Ray Dalio on 2025’s real story, Trump, and what’s next

The renowned investor says 2025’s real story wasn’t AI or US stocks but the shift away from American assets and a collapse in the value of money. And he outlines how to best position portfolios for what’s ahead.

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3 ways to fix Australia’s affordability crisis

Our cost-of-living pressures go beyond the RBA: surging house prices, excessive migration, and expanding government programs, including the NDIS, are fuelling inflation, demanding bold, structural solutions.

James Gruber
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Is there a better way to reform the CGT discount?

The capital gains tax discount is under review, but debate should go beyond its size. Its original purpose, design flaws and distortions suggest Australia could adopt a better, more targeted approach.

Matthew Maltman, Matt Nolan
11 February 2026

How cutting the CGT discount could help rebalance housing market

A more rational taxation system that supports home ownership but discourages asset speculation could provide greater financial support to first home buyers.

Jago Dodson, Liam Davies
18 February 2026

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 648 with weekend update

This is my last edition as Editor of Firstlinks. I’m moving onto a new role though the newsletter will remain in good hands until my permanent replacement is found.

5 February 2026

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