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10 October 2025
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Productivity Commission scolds super, Whittaker scolds Labor, rich old ladies, multi-sector portfolios, active trading, SMSF max, high yield.
Labor’s rhetoric of taxing the rich and standing up for women doesn’t match the facts. Their proposed imputation policy, if implemented, will raise little revenue and hurt low- and middle-income widows the most.
This wide-ranging interview with Pilar Gomez-Bravo, Director of Fixed Income at MFS Investment Management, covers the role of active management, the low rate environment, portfolio creation and asset class correlations.
The high yield debt market is now much larger and riskier than just before the GFC. That doesn’t bode well for when the next downturn happens and investors have several options to de-risk.
It's often said that 'A man is not a financial plan'. A Practice Director in a successful business shares some of her life tips on financial independence for women aiming to self-fund their retirement.
With the maximum number of members in an SMSF likely to increase from four to six, weigh up the pros and cons when deciding if an increase is in the best interests of all members.
Macro trends are almost impossible to forecast, and picking undervalued shares with an eye to the long term is a better way. But often, stock selection requires resilience in the face of criticism.
Non-banks are claiming market share from banks in many forms of private debt, and it's changing the nature of funding for many small to medium businesses.
Active managers trade more often and in larger amounts than passive managers do. Costs incurred from trading, in aggregate, can be substantial and ought to be considered in the decision to use active strategies.
The Productivity Commission is undertaking a review into the competitiveness and efficiency of Australia's super system. These key points are taken from the draft report, including a neat 'piggy' graphic.
The Productivity Commission report recommends young workers should be given a 'best in show' shortlist of super funds set by an independent process.
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.
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?
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.
Retirement can be daunting for Australians facing financial uncertainty. Understand your goals, longevity challenges, inflation impacts, market risks, and components of retirement income with these crucial charts.
Five mega trends point to risks of a more inflation prone and lower growth environment. This, along with rich market valuations, should constrain medium term superannuation returns to around 5% per annum.
Australia's superannuation system faces a 'Rubicon' moment, a turning point where the focus is shifting from accumulation phase to retirement readiness, but unfortunately, many funds are not rising to the challenge.