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15 October 2025
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Royal Commission fallout, Noel Whittaker on Hayne’s mistake, LICs stay at discounts, 5 SMSF mistakes, founder mindset, Active ETFs, Have Your Say.
There is much to admire about the work of the Royal Commission, but in recommending a ban on banks paying commissions to mortgage brokers, he has underestimated the role they play.
Some investors buy LICs at a discount in the hope of extra gain when the discount is removed, but it might never happen. There's a way of judging the discount relative to its historic norms.
The tax benefits of holding money in an SMSF come with a responsibility to follow the rules, and the penalties can be severe for what seem like innocent or mistaken breaches.
Founder-led companies and 'entrepreneurial investors' make better, calculated judgements and tap into experiences which give them an advantage over more conservative investors.
All vehicles come with pros and cons versus alternatives, and Active ETFs have a wide range of appealing characteristics in which Australia has led the world. Many more Active ETFs will be launched.
After a year of analysing financial services like it has never been done before, the RC Final Report was released today with 76 recommendations which are expected to be adopted. What will change?
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.
With rising home prices and falling affordability, political leaders preach reform. But asset disclosures show many are heavily invested in property - raising doubts about whose interests housing policy really protects.