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21 October 2025

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Edition: 514

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Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 514 with weekend edition

  • 22 June 2023
  • 2

Wilt Chamberlain said, "Everybody pulls for David, nobody roots for Goliath." In Australia, David is ETFs valued at only 3% of the Goliath of managed funds, yet when we report ETF flows and characteristics as representing the 'industry', we are missing the main game.

Reports of the demise of SMSFs are unfounded

SMSF trustees want control over their investments and think they can perform better than professional investors. Claims of an impending fall are not supported by the data, and older trustees are investing even more.

The seeds of a downturn, and opportunity

Current stock market enthusiasm calls for caution, with rates now in restrictive territory and several indicators portending trouble ahead. There are some opportunities in areas that haven't been caught up in the market hype.

Investment execution and how platforms are evolving

Platforms are an integral part of the financial advice process, delivering efficiencies to advisers and allowing them to cover more clients. But one platform will never be the holy grail as every client is different.

Seven lessons on how investors should prepare for a recession

Now is a good time to look at what investors should expect if a recession does arrive in the US soon. Here are seven recession 'truths', including who will be to blame for a recession and the prospects of timing the bottom.

What is direct indexing?

Direct indexing is on the rise both in Australia and globally, especially among those working with an adviser in a separately managed account. Yet, what is direct indexing, and what are its benefits and drawbacks?

Five reasons to hold your investment nerve

Financial markets have been volatile of late, and it's tempting for investors to seek shelter in cash for some or all of their nest egg. While that may seem a sensible strategy, it can also be a costly one.

Now is the time to buy quality stocks

There's been a 13-year runway of varying degrees of capital allocation that paid little attention to fundamentals and valuation. If there was ever a market environment when quality stocks are expected to perform, it's now. 

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Are LICs licked?

LICs are continuing to struggle with large discounts and frustrated investors are wondering whether it’s worth holding onto them. This explains why the next 6-12 months will be make or break for many LICs.

Retirement income expectations hit new highs

Younger Australians think they’ll need $100k a year in retirement - nearly double what current retirees spend. Expectations are rising fast, but are they realistic or just another case of lifestyle inflation?

5 charts every retiree must see…

Retirement can be daunting for Australians facing financial uncertainty. Understand your goals, longevity challenges, inflation impacts, market risks, and components of retirement income with these crucial charts.

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.

Why super returns may be heading lower

Five mega trends point to risks of a more inflation prone and lower growth environment. This, along with rich market valuations, should constrain medium term superannuation returns to around 5% per annum.

The hidden property empire of Australia’s politicians

With rising home prices and falling affordability, political leaders preach reform. But asset disclosures show many are heavily invested in property - raising doubts about whose interests housing policy really protects.

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