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30 December 2025

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Edition: 422

1-8 out of 8 results.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 422 with weekend update

  • 26 August 2021
  • 10

We recently published six stock picks which were all foreign companies and some people complained that they only wanted to read about Australian companies. Come on, folks. That's like the old days of living on meat and three veg. The world offers wonderful investment opportunities and Australia is only 2% of global markets and highly concentrated.

Tax reform favours apartments and owner-occupiers

Stamp duty on buying a home is a major cost for most people, often delaying purchase. While replacing it with a land tax seems attractive, the reform picks favourites and not everyone will welcome the changes.

Let's make this clear again ... franking credits are fair

Critics of franking credits are missing the main point. The taxable income of shareholders/taxpayers must also include the company tax previously paid to the ATO before the dividend was distributed. It is fair.

Five stocks that have worked well in our portfolios

Picking macro trends is difficult. What may seem logical and compelling one minute may completely change a few months later. There are better rewards from focussing on identifying the best companies at good prices.

Thematic ETFs: is the juice worth the squeeze?

COVID was a paradigm shift for thematic ETFs, satisfying investor sentiment toward disruptive trends and sustainable investing while covering almost any theme investors desire. Where do they sit in a portfolio?

Four reasons emerging markets should outperform post-COVID

The pandemic has shown that the emerging market complex is more mature, with central bank discipline, strong demand for commodities and a positive outlook for currencies. Diversification into EM is worth a look.

Why not all share platforms are created equal

We assume share trading platforms are alike other than the cost of brokerage, but do you know if prices are live, who owns your shares and what you earn on cash? The few brokerage dollars you save can be eaten away.

How to access money under the First Home Super Saver

Demand for homes is strong but prices are up sharply. Under the FHSS, a couple can access up to $100,000 from their super. Advisers and super funds are reporting a big increase in enquiries but how does it work?

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Why it’s time to ditch the retirement journey

Retirement isn’t a clean financial arc. Income shocks, health costs and family pressures hit at random, exposing the limits of age-based planning and the myth of a predictable “retirement journey".

Australia's retirement system works brilliantly for some - but not all

The superannuation system has succeeded brilliantly at what it was designed to do: accumulate wealth during working lives. The next challenge is meeting members’ diverse needs in retirement. 

Australian stocks will crush housing over the next decade, 2025 edition

Two years ago, I wrote an article suggesting that the odds favoured ASX shares easily outperforming residential property over the next decade. Here’s an update on where things stand today.

The 3 biggest residential property myths

I am a professional real estate investor who hears a lot of opinions rather than facts from so-called experts on the topic of property. Here are the largest myths when it comes to Australia’s biggest asset class.

AFIC on the speculative ASX boom, opportunities, and LIC discounts

In an interview with Firstlinks, CEO Mark Freeman discusses how speculative ASX stocks have crushed blue chips this year, companies he likes now, and why he’s confident AFIC’s NTA discount will close.

Where to hide in the ‘everything bubble’

It might not be quite an ‘everything bubble’ but there’s froth in many assets, not just US stocks, right now. It might be time to stress test your portfolio and consider assets that could offer you shelter if trouble is coming.

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