26 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?Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 648 with weekend update

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Edition 223

20 October 2017

It is a surprise when a conference room full of market professionals, including many fund managers, is polled and 70% agree with the statement, "Passive funds will take over from actively managed funds as the core investment product for mass retail customers", with over half saying within two to five years. This happened at the Calastone Connect Forum in Sydney last week, where the following chart from Funds Global Asia was also presented based on a survey of their readers.

Richard Thaler: Nobel economist changing our behaviour

19 October 2017
3

Nobel Laureate, Richard Thaler, believes that the irrationality of humans affects economics and financial markets, with wide-ranging implications for decision-making and investing.

Housing: balance in our most cyclical sector

David Rumbens, Andrew Ponsonby
19 October 2017

The housing sector tends to go through periods of overbuilding and underbuilding, but there is evidence that the forces are currently near a balance.

Check pension outcomes when making a will

Noel Whittaker
19 October 2017
3

Where both husband and wife are elderly and receiving an age pension, the structure of the will can significantly improve the pension and personal outcomes on the death of either person.

Business model disruption - Part 2

Hamish Douglass
19 October 2017

In Part 2 of this two-part series, Hamish discusses how the most dominant businesses of the last 50 years might struggle, faced with new threats, and even Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger are worried.

Understand the retirement income challenge

Aaron Minney
19 October 2017
4

It’s often assumed one of the primary aims of wealth accumulation is to leave money for the kids, but retirees realise their own longevity means they need to look after their retirement first.

New role for outcomes test and member goals

Maree Pallisco
19 October 2017
2

Recent regulatory proposals expand the existing scale test to an outcomes test by determining annually whether the fund’s MySuper products are meeting the clients’ best interests. Similar tests can apply to SMSFs.

Are bank deposits and gold safe havens?

Ashley Owen
19 October 2017
8

Continuing our look at 'safe havens', gold and bank deposits are often considered alternatives to 'risky' shares. How have they performed in times of stress, and do they rate as long-term investments at other times?

Business model disruption has barely begun

Hamish Douglass
15 October 2017
3

Facebook, Google and Amazon seem already entrenched in our lives, but with the information they know about their users, their ability to target advertising and products has only touched the surface of change.

Are shares a long-term safe haven?

Ashley Owen
15 October 2017
2

The short-term volatility of share prices, and the rapid falls which hit markets every 15 years or so, disguise the wealth creation effects of share investments over a long-term horizon.

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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.

James Gruber
21 January 2026

Making sense of record high markets as the world catches fire

The post-World War Two economic system is unravelling, leading to huge shifts in currency, bond and commodity markets, yet stocks seem oblivious to the chaos. This looks to history as a guide for what’s next.

James Gruber
28 January 2026

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
4 February 2026

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

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

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 646 with weekend update

There’s one surprising area of the market that’s been left behind over the past year: quality stocks. Not only in Australia, but globally. The likes of REA, CAR Group, and Aristocrat may offer opportunities in an overpriced market.

22 January 2026

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