22 August 2025

Recently trending

Which generation had it toughest?100 Aussies: seven charts on who earns, pays, and owns The best way to get rich and retire early A perfect storm for housing affordability in Australia Chinese steel - building a Sydney Harbour Bridge every 10 minutes

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

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

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

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."

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

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

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

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

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

Home / 504

Edition: 504

1-8 out of 8 results.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 504 with weekend update

13 April 2023
23

In one month, on 9 May 2023, Treasurer Jim Chalmers will deliver the Federal Budget for 2023/24. Early hints give a focus on fiscal consolidation and inequality, but what do those words mean? Does the Treasurer's 'values-based capitalism' suggest a reforming agenda is coming, or will politics intervene? And if Jamie Dimon and Tim Congdon are right, we need to prepare for storm clouds.

Jamie Dimon on move from virtuous to vicious cycle

Graham Hand
12 April 2023
6

Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan is the most powerful commercial banker in the world, and his just-released letter to shareholders warns that while the current economy looks fine, the storm clouds ahead differ from the past.

Are you better off in a large superannuation fund?

Geoff Warren, Scott Lawrence
12 April 2023
15

Underpinning the current wave of consolidation amongst Australian super funds is the belief that it helps to be big. Is this really the case and is there any advantage in being a member of a large super fund?

Falling money supply points to recession, and maybe severe

Tim Congdon
12 April 2023
9

There is a connection between the money supply and the economy. The quantity of money has fallen quickly (and negative in the US), pointing to a recession in 2023. Inflation will head towards the 2% target in 2024.

How to weight companies in a successful stock portfolio

Dr Justin Koonin
12 April 2023
4

Outperforming over the long term doesn't solely depend on the stocks you select. Focus on how much you could lose relative to how much you could gain to determine how to weight stocks in your portfolio.

Planning to make your money last forever

Chris Cuffe
12 April 2023
3

Most people do not spend enough time thinking about achieving the best outcomes from their estate or gifts and loans before they die. Consider a trust to look after the needs of all your descendants, forever.

Global ETF trends coming soon to Australia

James Gruber
12 April 2023
2

In Australia and globally, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) continue to grow rapidly. A new report suggests investors can expect more products in active ETFs, alternative strategies, cryptocurrency and ESG.

Should retirees forget about the 4% withdrawal rule?

John Rekenthaler
12 April 2023
22

When evaluating investment yields or retiree-withdrawal rates, consider not only the numerator’s percentage, but also the denominator’s effect. Doing so will lead to the only path that truly matters: the dollar trail.

Firstlinks is sponsored by:

Most viewed in recent weeks

Which generation had it toughest?

Each generation believes its economic challenges were uniquely tough - but what does the data say? A closer look reveals a more nuanced, complex story behind the generational hardship debate.

Mark McCrindle
6 August 2025

100 Aussies: seven charts on who earns, pays, and owns

The Labor government is talking up tax reform to lift Australia’s ailing economic growth. Before any changes are made, it’s important to know who pays tax, who owns assets, and how much people have in their super for retirement.

James Gruber
23 July 2025

The best way to get rich and retire early

This goes through the different options including shares, property and business ownership and declares a winner, as well as outlining the mindset needed to earn enough to never have to work again.

James Gruber
6 August 2025

A perfect storm for housing affordability in Australia

Everyone has a theory as to why housing in Australia is so expensive. There are a lot of different factors at play, from skewed migration patterns to banking trends and housing's status as a national obsession.

Cameron Kusher
6 August 2025

Chinese steel - building a Sydney Harbour Bridge every 10 minutes

China's steel production, equivalent to building one Sydney Harbour Bridge every 10 minutes, has driven Australia's economic growth. With China's slowdown, what does this mean for Australia's economy and investments?

Ashley Owen
30 July 2025

Supercharging the ‘4% rule’ to ensure a richer retirement

The creator of the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals, Bill Bengen, has written a new book outlining fresh strategies to outlive your money, including holding fewer stocks in early retirement before increasing allocations.

James Gruber
13 August 2025

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.