4 September 2026

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Why have Australian living standards 'fallen' and how do we fix it?Will you run out of money in retirement?Four options for an income investor’s next dollar The investment that sidesteps the new tax traps Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 674 with weekend update

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Edition: 453

1-8 out of 8 results.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 453

7 April 2022
4

'The future ain't what it used to be' and 'It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future' are attributed to Yogi Berra, a great US baseball catcher. But there's one Yogi-ism that does not have much applicability in financial markets at the moment: 'It's like deja vu all over again.' There's a lot we have not seen for a long time, if ever.

Track if your fund manager is taking the best shot

Graham Hand
6 April 2022
15

In his final letter as CEO of Amazon, Jeff Bezos implored people to avoid being normal, to nurture their distinctiveness. Fund managers should earn their active fees by building unique, active portfolios.

Australia’s bounty: is it just diversified luck?

Ashley Owen
6 April 2022
10

Increases in commodity prices have fuelled global inflation while benefiting commodities exporters like Australia. Oftentimes, booms lead to busts and investors need to get the timing right on pricing cycles to be successful.

We need hard conversations about frailty planning

Louise Biti
6 April 2022
7

The costs of aged care will only continue to increase as the Baby Boomer generation moves into their frailty years, increasing not only the demand for services but also higher consumer expectations around the quality of service.

Budget cash splash will do more harm than good

Noel Whittaker
6 April 2022
23

Governments borrowing for roads, infrastructure and items that have a long-term payback is good debt, but cash handouts for the sole purpose of getting the government back into power is 'bad' debt.

Why I’m not afraid for Taiwan

Jason Hsu
6 April 2022
10

Much of the commentary on the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on China and Taiwan lacks a deep understanding of each country's political reality. It may even improve, rather than exacerbate, the China-Taiwan problem.

Hybrids alongside corporate bonds a good balance

Matthew Macreadie
6 April 2022
2

Higher distribution levels and potential returns have caused many investors to turn to hybrids for the fixed income portion of their portfolio. Now may be a time to reassess the relative risk-reward balance of the instrument.

Age pension is increasing: what you need to know

Rachel Lane
6 April 2022
2

Older Australians saw the largest increase in their age pension payments in almost a decade last month. But pensioners receiving aged care will only see $4 of the $20 pension increase.

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Why have Australian living standards 'fallen' and how do we fix it?

For the last few years there has been much talk of a 'cost-of-living' crisis in Australia and of 'falling living standards'. Lately this has flared up again with the pickup in inflation resulting in a renewed fall in real wages.

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Will you run out of money in retirement?

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Four options for an income investor’s next dollar

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Mark LaMonica CFA
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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.

Noel Whittaker
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Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 674 with weekend update

What begins as appetite, grows into excess and ultimately ends in spectacle. Millions of investors just discovered this the hard way.

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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.

Rachael Rofe
19 August 2026

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