9 July 2026

Recently trending

How to minimise tax with a will Testamentary trusts post-budget: Estate planning, tax reform and the ‘death tax’ debate Meg on SMSFs: The CGT changes don’t impact super but what about Div 296 tax decisions?High quality businesses are on sale The strange effect of the 30% minimum capital gains tax

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

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."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

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

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."

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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."

Home / 219

Edition: 219

1-7 out of 7 results.

Edition 219

15 September 2017

Ten years on from the start of the GFC in 2007, most asset classes have recovered reasonably well. Equity markets did not decline until late 2008, but investors who exited stocks then have missed a solid rise, as shown below in the chart of total returns, including reinvested income.

US will fall more than Australia in next bust

Ashley Owen
14 September 2017
1

Amazingly, Australian and US stock markets have delivered the same returns for their home country investors over the very long term. With the recent US strength, it's more likely to fall further in the next bust.

Understanding the extra return from hybrids

Dr Sam Wylie
14 September 2017
11

Hybrids are complex instruments but they can be viewed as a bond with an embedded option, and they convert to equity in certain circumstances. Investors should consider the risk of this happening.

Watch out for the buy/sell spread on funds

Rosemary Steinfort
14 September 2017
9

Investors should know the buy/sell spreads in their funds. The purpose of the spread is to pay for the transaction costs when investors buy or sell to ensure equitable outcomes for those that remain.

The unreliability of inflation forecasting

Philipp Hofflin
14 September 2017

Inflation and deflation forces exist and the dominant outcome is uncertain at the moment, but equity investors should consider inflation risk within their asset allocation framework.

Investors face new choices in listed vehicles

Andrew Lockhart
14 September 2017
5

Listed Investment Trusts are a rival structure to the long-established Listed Investment Companies, but what should investors know about the differences?

Managed accounts enter the mainstream

Matt Heine
14 September 2017
2

Managed accounts are becoming more mainstream. They allow investment transparency, better performance analysis and improved tax optimisation versus some other structures.

Firstlinks is sponsored by:

Most viewed in recent weeks

How to minimise tax with a will

Inheritance tax implications in Australia may surprise some, as poor estate planning without proper wills or trusts can lead to costly tax bills and delays for beneficiaries.

Shani Jayamanne
3 June 2026

Testamentary trusts post-budget: Estate planning, tax reform and the ‘death tax’ debate

Proposed Budget changes to taxation are casting new uncertainty over testamentary trusts, prompting closer scrutiny of estate planning structures and the real implications of reforms still taking shape.

Dr. Sylvia Villios
10 June 2026

Meg on SMSFs: The CGT changes don’t impact super but what about Div 296 tax decisions?

New CGT rules could tip the scales in the super vs non-super debate. For those facing the Division 296 tax, the case for withdrawing has gotten more complex. A "comparison rate" tool may help assess decisions.

Meg Heffron
10 June 2026

High quality businesses are on sale

Beneath the dominance of the ASX's largest stocks, much of the market has been left behind. High-quality companies are now trading at levels rarely seen, offering opportunities for investors willing to look deeper.

Tim Carleton
17 June 2026

The strange effect of the 30% minimum capital gains tax

The 30% minimum tax on capital gains sits at the heart of the budget's proposed reforms. Yet the mechanics reveal anomalies that introduce unexpected distortions that raise questions about its design.

Tony Dillon
1 July 2026

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 667 with weekend update

The downfall of the giant and three lessons for investors.

18 June 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.