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Edition: 438

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Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 438 with weekend update

  • 16 December 2021

Tired of reading about inflation? It seems a dry subject and Firstlinks does not normally spend much time on a macro theme, but this is a fascinating and unique moment. Central banks are changing their policies at a critical time, and inflation, wages, the virus and house prices are all linked. Hamish Douglass gives his unique take.

Hamish Douglass on why the movie hasn’t ended yet

The focus is on Magellan for its investment performance and departure of the CEO, but Douglass says the pandemic, inflation, rising rates and Middle East tensions have not played out. Vindication is always long term.

Five global trends point to buys and sells for 2022

Global companies offer investment opportunities not available on the ASX. Coming out of COVID, strong trends are accelerating or reversing, creating potential on both the buy and sell sides of a long short fund.

It’s time to reveal the 2021 X-Factor in investment markets

For 40 years, recording the market's X-Factor has become an obsession. In weighing up four big candidates for the most likely X-Factor emerging from 2021 and likely to hit in 2022, there is a clear winner.

10 little-known pension traps prove the value of advice

Most people entering retirement do not see a financial adviser, mainly due to cost. It's a major problem because there are small mistakes a retiree can make which are expensive and avoidable if a few tips were known.

Do you really need to sell your home to fund aged care?

Whether you choose to sell your home to pay for aged care is your decision. With many special concessions, why are people quick to sell the family home? The calculations can be tricky and circumstances are different.

The leading 2022 themes for global mid-sized companies

As business fundamentals improve, the earnings recovery takes over as the primary driver of shareholder returns. The equity market is supported by its real earnings even with the inevitable share price falls.

Fixed income flows are strong, but who's winning and why?

Equity funds tend to receive most attention, and the media focuses on fund themes and new ideas. Surprising to many, fixed income is typically the quiet achiever in the Australian retail asset management industry.

Most viewed in recent weeks

Why spending more in early retirement can improve lifetime income

Conventional wisdom encourages retirees to preserve superannuation. But if those likely to qualify for the Age Pension later in life spend a little more today, it may deliver higher lifetime income and a more stable retirement.

Will you run out of money in retirement?

Fear of running out has become a defining retirement anxiety. Why do some retirees die with substantial wealth while others deplete their nest egg? Evidence suggests the answer is more complicated than we think. 

The investment that sidesteps the new tax traps

Tax rules have changed, but many investors are still using yesterday’s strategies. Insurance bonds may offer advantages for those seeking greater control, tax efficiency and certainty about their wealth.

Testamentary trusts have secured the CGT exemption

Treasury’s latest CGT reform draft delivers a win for testamentary trusts and deceased estates, exempting estate-derived gains from the 30% floor. However, questions on death and divorce rollovers remain unresolved.

Meg on SMSFs: What do we think about reversionary pensions these days?

Reversionary pensions have long been a staple of SMSF estate planning, but are they still the best option? Meg Heffron revisits a once-clear favourite and asks whether changing super rules have shifted the balance.

Is it time to bail on Australian stocks?

For generations, Australian investors have backed banks, miners and dividends. But has that loyalty come at a cost? A look at the numbers raises an uncomfortable question about where future returns will come from.

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