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Edition: 214

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Edition 214

  • 11 August 2017

The 1997 Nobel Laureate and distinguished academic, Robert C. Merton, was in Sydney last week, and we talked about the value of 'trust' in financial institutions. He argued trust is a key strategic asset which creates growth opportunities and defends against competition. It allows deeper customer engagement across products and services. Then in a presentation at Dimensional Fund Advisors, he spoke specifically on the trust problems faced by fintechs...

The value of 'trust' in financial institutions

Nobel Laureate, Robert C. Merton, says technology and fintechs will find it difficult to build trust, but how much trust do we have in "the contradiction of the country’s most hated company"?

Seven checks for choosing the best LIC

Unlike managed funds and ETFs, LICs can trade at substantial premiums and discounts to the value of their underlying assets, but this is only one factor to consider when choosing a LIC.

Is there an ideal minimum investment in a portfolio?

There is no correct answer to the maximum or minimum amount of exposure to a single company in a portfolio, but liquidity, risk and costs play into the decision.

Five things to know before you invest in ETFs

Exchange Traded Funds have become popular with investors and their advisers in recent years but there are important lessons in how best to access the market.

Silver's shine versus gold's glitter

There is about 19 times more silver than gold in the earth, but the gold price is 78 times higher, and silver has far more uses than as a store of wealth. Is it silver's time to shine?

The risks of dropping personal insurance

The way insurance payments are made can have a significant impact on the overall cost of personal cover, and knowing future premiums helps manage the risk of losing insurance when most needed.

Australian shares: what happened to the miracle economy?

Australia has enjoyed a remarkable 25 year run without a ’recession’, but our stockmarket has badly lagged the US in recent years, and company earnings are still some 30% below the level of 10 years ago. Will it improve soon?

Summary of LIC performance over a solid year

A review of the Listed Investment Company landscape, including where value lies in LICs trading at a discount, but also the healthy premiums where caution is needed in case the popularity of the manager wanes.

Most viewed in recent weeks

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?

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?

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 627 with weekend update

This week, I got the news that my mother has dementia. It came shortly after my father received the same diagnosis. This is a meditation on getting old and my regrets in not getting my parents’ affairs in order sooner.

  • 4 September 2025

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