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Edition: 469

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Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 469 with weekend update

  • 4 August 2022
  • 5

Don't switch off when you see a China story. China represents one-third of Australia's global trade, and its many headwinds hitting health, economic growth, military conflict, demographics and tech are threats. Plus common sense in Dalio versus Marks.

Dalio v Marks is common sense v uncommon sense

Billionaire fund manager standoff: Ray Dalio thinks investing is common sense and markets are simple, while Howard Marks says complex and convoluted 'second-level' thinking is needed for superior returns.

Michael Witts: changes over the final 12 years of my career

After 40 years in the market, Michael Witts retired recently as Treasurer of ING Bank Australia, a position he held for 12 years. He reflects on changes over the years including in mortgages, regulations and funding.

Meg on SMSFs: should you start a pension before selling assets?

A super fund stops paying tax when it is in the pension phase, which can mean a tax exemption on capital gains built up over many years. Does that mean a pension should be started before an asset is sold? Not always.

Annuities cost more for women: it's time for unisex rates

Lifetime annuities will become a more important tool to manage longevity, but they are the only part of our retirement income system where the benefit is determined by an individual’s sex. It's time to change.

Five key trends driving the Australian office sector

Most people are returning to their offices, often three days a week with flexibility. The trend to premium offices supports health and lifestyles, while office designs focus more on collaboration and social spaces.

Reserve Bank has both a date and data dilemma

Central banks need data and sources as up-to-date as possible, yet Australia's Reserve Bank sees a new CPI only once a quarter. And the US Fed's rate committee waits two months for its next meeting. 

Tribute to Phil Ruthven, thanks for the wonderful contributions

Phil Ruthven, AM - forecaster, entrepreneur, storyteller - passed away last week at the age of 82. Phil was a fantastic supporter of Cuffelinks/Firstlinks from the start and we link to all 26 of his original articles.

Most viewed in recent weeks

The growing debt burden of retiring Australians

More Australians are retiring with larger mortgages and less super. This paper explores how unlocking housing wealth can help ease the nation’s growing retirement cashflow crunch.

Four best-ever charts for every adviser and investor

In any year since 1875, if you'd invested in the ASX, turned away and come back eight years later, your average return would be 120% with no negative periods. It's just one of the must-have stats that all investors should know.

LICs vs ETFs – which perform best?

With investor sentiment shifting and ETFs surging ahead, we pit Australia’s biggest LICs against their ETF rivals to see which delivers better returns over the short and long term. The results are revealing.

Our experts on Jim Chalmers' super tax backdown

Labor has caved to pressure on key parts of the Division 296 tax, though also added some important nuances. Here are six experts’ views on the changes and what they mean for you.        

Preparing for aged care

Whether for yourself or a family member, it’s never too early to start thinking about aged care. This looks at the best ways to plan ahead, as well as the changes coming to aged care from November 1 this year.

Family trusts: Are they still worth it?

Family trusts remain a core structure for wealth management, but rising ATO scrutiny and complex compliance raise questions about their ongoing value. Are the benefits still worth the administrative burden?

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