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1 August 2025

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Edition: 353

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Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 353

  • 16 April 2020
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The Great Lockdown will be the worst downturn since the Great Depression, says the IMF. It warned this week that the Australian economy will slump by 6.7% in 2020, followed by a recovery in 2021. While the economy is not the stock market, there's a disconnection at the moment. Despite the poor outlook, price/earnings ratios for both the S&P/ASX200 and the S&P500 are still well above long-term averages.

Magic money printing and the reality of inflation

It looks like a magic money tree, where the central bank simply deposits money in the government's bank account. We asked one of the world's leading authorities on monetarism for an explanation.

Fear and greed in markets: where to from here?

Equity markets are forward-looking, and the speed of the rebound has surprised many. If COVID-19 is controlled quickly, earnings could bounce back. Fund managers are picking up their favourites. 

COVID survey results: All you need is LUV

Only 17% of our readers think we have seen a market bottom, and there's debate about the L, U or V shaped recovery. While most of the Government's actions are supported, checking has been lax.

The shareholder now ranks last

As companies 'do their bit' to fight coronavirus, company executives and boards have amended stakeholder priorities. The rules of investing have changed, but it's only appropriate for the short term.

The $20,000 decision on early access to super

The government’s early access to super scheme may reduce short-term financial stress for some, but members must understand how much tapping retirement savings will erode savings in later life.

Life and death restarting the Australian economy

The back-to-work strategy is a fine balance between health experts advising on contamination, the need for a functioning economy and the adverse health impact of isolation. Perhaps we need a test region.

Super needs more rethinking outside the box

The Government has made two changes to super rules that would once have been considered highly unlikely, but there are other amendments which would not compromise the overall aims of super.

Beware timing of super contributions at age 66 and 67

Parliament is not expected to sit until August, and the anticipated new super laws for contributions by people aged 65 and 66 may not pass. Only act on the proposals if the new law is actually passed.

COVID-19: 'In the midst of death we are in life'

The happiest legal clients are those who dodged a bullet by either divorcing someone they did not like or surviving a near-death experience. The coronavirus is a chance to rethink a life well-lived.

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With markets near record highs, here's what you should do with your portfolio

Markets have weathered geopolitical turmoil, hitting near record highs. Investors face tough decisions on valuations, asset concentration, and strategic portfolio rebalancing for risk control and future returns.

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