15 June 2026

Recently trending

Noel Whittaker’s take on the budget Australia has no death duties. Technically.Lithium's rally is real this time – but no-one trusts it Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 662 with weekend update How inflation is quietly moving the goalposts on retirement

Ian Kelly, CFP, BTACS Financial Services: "Probably the best source of commentary and information I have seen over the past 20 years."

Andrew Buchan, Partner, HLB Mann Judd: "I have told you a thousand times it's the best newsletter."

Ian Silk, CEO, AustralianSuper: "It has become part of my required reading: quality thinking, and (mercifully) to the point."

Reader: "Best innovation I have seen whilst an investor for 25 years. The writers are brilliant. A great publication which I look forward to."

Professor Robert Deutsch: "This has got to be the best set of articles on economic and financial matters. Always something worthwhile reading in Firstlinks. Thankyou"

Don Stammer, leading Australian economist: "Congratulations to all associated. It deserves the good following it has."

Steve: "The best that comes into our world each week. This is the only one that is never, ever canned before fully being reviewed by yours truly."

Jonathan Hoyle, CEO, Stanford Brown: "A fabulous publication. The only must-read weekly publication for the Australian wealth management industry."

Scott Pape, author of The Barefoot Investor: "I'm an avid reader of Cuffelinks. Thanks for the wonderful resource you have here, it really is first class."

Reader: "Congratulations on a great focussed news source. Australia has a dearth of good quality unbiased financial and wealth management news."

Rob Henshaw: "When I open my computer each day it's the first link I click - a really great read."

Eleanor Dartnall, AFA Adviser of the Year, 2014: "Our clients love your newsletter. Your articles are avidly read by advisers and they learn a great deal."

John Pearce, Chief Investment Officer, Unisuper: "Out of the (many many) investmentrelated emails I get, Cuffelinks is one that I always open."

Reader: "The BEST in the game because of diversity and not aligned to financial products. Stands above all the noise."

Reader: "It's excellent so please don't pollute the content with boring mainstream financial 'waffle' and adverts for stuff we don't want!"

Noel Whittaker, author and financial adviser: "A fabulous weekly newsletter that is packed full of independent financial advice."

John Egan, Egan Associates: "My heartiest congratulations. Your panel of contributors is very impressive and keep your readers fully informed."

Reader: "Love it, just keep doing what you are doing. It is the right length too, any longer and it might become a bit overwhelming."

Reader: "I can quickly sort the items that I am interested in, then research them more fully. It is also a regular reminder that I need to do this."

David Goldschmidt, Chartered Accountant: "I find this a really excellent newsletter. The best I get. Keep up the good work!"

Reader: "I subscribe to two newsletters. This is my first read of the week. Thank you. Excellent and please keep up the good work!"

Reader: "Is one of very few places an investor can go and not have product rammed down their throat. Love your work!"

Reader: " Finding a truly independent and interesting read has been magical for me. Please keep it up and don't change!"

Reader: "Carry on as you are - well done. The average investor/SMSF trustee needs all the help they can get."

Reader: "Great resource. Cuffelinks is STILL the one and only weekly newsletter I regularly read."

Reader: "An island of professionalism in an ocean of shallow self-interest. Well done!"

Reader: "Keep it up - the independence is refreshing and is demonstrated by the variety of well credentialed commentators."

Home / 479

Edition: 479

1-8 out of 8 results.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 479 with weekend update

13 October 2022
10

There is a common frustration among investors that obtaining a single piece of financial advice involves a lengthy and costly consultation process. But it's easy to understand why it's necessary. We are all different, and how can anyone be financially advised without knowing their goals?

Will tokens fix Optus hacks and investment paperwork?

Graham Hand
12 October 2022
12

Despite advances in investing technology, the most fundamental step - the application process - often frustrates investors. Will 'tokenisation' be the solution to identify fraud, and what's the impact of Optus?

The super wars: Vanguard versus AustralianSuper

Annika Bradley
12 October 2022
32

Vanguard Super will launch later in the year with details yet to be confirmed, but it's likely to look like the Vanguard Personal Investor product. Will it really compete with the big, established super funds?

The danger in Labor's new franking credit proposal

Matthew Collins
12 October 2022
42

Listed companies often raise capital around the same time they pay dividends and return capital to shareholders, but proposed legislation may prevent companies paying franked dividends during a capital funding.

Recessions are usually good for sharemarkets

Ashley Owen
12 October 2022
9

By the time a recession is confirmed in the statistics, most of the sharemarket fall is probably in the past. Markets often start rise when the headlines are full of doom and gloom, and early investors are rewarded.

Lessons for our Year 12 economics students and investors

Angus Dennis
12 October 2022
6

Much economic success is based on private goods, where the benefit derives to the owner. The challenge for economics is with public goods, and our current Year 12 students are learning to address market failures.

Do Australians expect to have enough to self-fund retirement?

Helen Baker
12 October 2022
7

New research reveals the uncertain outlook for retirement, with most people admitting they will hold insufficient assets to self-fund their needs, and nearly one-third expect to carry debt into retirement.

Taming the Wild West of crypto needs a global approach

Dr Paul Mazzola, Mitchell Goroch
12 October 2022
3

Similar to banking, crypto is global, but its decentralised nature allows exploitation of regulatory differences. The failure of DeFi businesses reveals flaws in the ability of regulation to protect the public.

Firstlinks is sponsored by:

Most viewed in recent weeks

Noel Whittaker’s take on the budget

Marketed as a fix for inequality and housing affordability, the latest budget instead delivers a tangle of tax changes that leave everyday Australians worse off.

Noel Whittaker
20 May 2026

Australia has no death duties. Technically.

Australia may not levy formal death duties, but a growing web of tax measures is quietly shaping what wealth passes between generations. Now, the 2026 budget adds another layer.

Rachael Rofe
20 May 2026

Lithium's rally is real this time – but no-one trusts it

The lithium rally mirrors the early-2010s tech stock surge, with demand set to double by 2030. Supply has been slow to respond, creating a market deficit for future tech like humanoid robotics and solid-state batteries.

David Tuckwell
6 May 2026

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 662 with weekend update

The debate over the budget is increasingly shaped by frustration and perceptions of unfairness, rather than clear-eyed assessment of policy outcomes.

Mark LaMonica CFA
14 May 2026

How inflation is quietly moving the goalposts on retirement

Inflation doesn’t just raise today’s bills - it quietly increases the amount needed to retire, while simultaneously making it harder to save. Three steps to take before June 30th to improve retirement outcomes.

Jen Richardson
13 May 2026

How to minimise tax with a will

Inheritance tax implications in Australia may surprise some, as poor estate planning without proper wills or trusts can lead to costly tax bills and delays for beneficiaries.

Shani Jayamanne
3 June 2026

Alliances

Site Map

About Firstlinks

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.