5 November 2026

Recently trending

It’s time for LICs to die The retirement scorecard: how many of these questions can you answer?Division 296: the initial moves to make before the windows close Testamentary trusts: Treasury has picked the wrong reading Higher yields are creating opportunities in global bonds

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

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

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

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

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."

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."

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

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

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

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."

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."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Home / 211

Edition: 211

1-10 out of 10 results.

Edition 211

21 July 2017

Australian bank margins and profits are underpinned by existing customers not demanding the rates available to new customers. When I sat on bank pricing committees many moons ago, we called this 'retail inertia'. Most borrowers do not walk into their local branch armed with comparison rates and ask for a better deal, and term deposit customers accept poor rollover rates.

Pension income and segregation in an SMSF

Gordon Mackenzie
21 July 2017

A more detailed response to comments on the previous article requesting clarification on the ability to segregate assets in superannuation, especially for SMSFs and members with over $1.6 million.

And we’re off: super tax risks post 1 July

Gordon Mackenzie
20 July 2017
7

The added complexity of the new superannuation rules increases the compliance burden for investors and their advisers, and the requirements around the $1.6 million threshold are especially complex.

7 ways acquisitions add or destroy value

Matthew Ward
20 July 2017

Well-executed mergers and acquisitions can add material shareholder value, but there are plenty of examples where they destroy value, and in the worst cases, jeopardise the entire company.

The journey is more important than the destination

Noel Whittaker
20 July 2017
7

We may prefer a fast pay off but a long-term approach to investing will result in a less stressful journey and a more successful outcome.

Accessing super before retirement

Monica Rule
20 July 2017
4

Transition to Retirement Income Streams are no longer tax-free, but you can still access your super before retirement if you meet certain conditions, and there are strategies to reduce the tax paid.

3 difficulties investing in emerging markets

Craig Mercer
20 July 2017

For many investors, allocations to emerging markets over the years have proved disappointing. An emphasis on corporate governance and social issues can help unlock some of the potential.

Value investing from an Australian perspective

Hamish Carlisle
20 July 2017

Despite value investing struggling over the last decade, using free cash flow can generate outperformance with lower volatility compared to traditional classifications of value including earnings, book value and dividends.

Clear winner and loser in 2017/2018 survey

Graham Hand
20 July 2017
4

Any person responsible for constructing an investment portfolio must make decisions about asset allocation, requiring educated guesses about future returns. Are these results the Wisdom of Crowds?

Thornhill responds on dividends and Buffett

Peter Thornhill
19 July 2017
7

Author and university lecturer, Peter Thornhill, has been part of a lively conversation in our comments section as a result of Ashley Owen's article on dividends. He produced this chart to expand his argument.

Firstlinks is sponsored by:

Most viewed in recent weeks

It’s time for LICs to die

A high-profile dividend cut and a prominent fund manager’s apology have reignited a long-running debate. If investors can access similar exposures more cheaply and efficiently elsewhere, what exactly is keeping LICs alive?

David Tuckwell
30 September 2026

The retirement scorecard: how many of these questions can you answer?

From the maths of retirement, estimating spending and picking the right asset allocation to survive a poor decade, here are the questions every retiree – current or future – should be able to answer for themselves.

Mark LaMonica CFA
14 October 2026

Division 296: the initial moves to make before the windows close

What if the best superannuation strategy isn't about earning more, but acting before your options disappear? Several overlooked planning windows are narrowing, with consequences that can last for decades.

Liam Shorte
28 October 2026

Testamentary trusts: Treasury has picked the wrong reading

A decades-old estate planning tool has survived one tax crackdown only to be caught by another. The surprise isn't who the reform is targeting, but who could end up paying the price for drafting choices made years ago.

Rachael Rofe
21 October 2026

Higher yields are creating opportunities in global bonds

Bond markets are adjusting to a new reality, but not in the ways investors expect. With markets repricing and capital competing for attention, investors may need to rethink where resilience and opportunity lie.

Eric Souders
7 October 2026

Will investors be better or worse off under new housing tax changes?

Housing tax reforms have sparked warnings of market turmoil and promises of greater fairness. But after modelling nearly two decades of property data, the results suggest winners and losers may not be who many investors expect.

Elyse Dwyer, Nick Garvin
30 September 2026

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.