8 November 2025

Recently trending

The growing debt burden of retiring Australians Four best-ever charts for every adviser and investor LICs vs ETFs – which perform best?Our experts on Jim Chalmers' super tax backdown Preparing for aged care

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

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

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

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

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

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

Home / 515

Edition: 515

1-8 out of 8 results.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 515 with weekend update

29 June 2023
2

When legends such as Warren Buffett and Howard Marks disagree on key investment lessons, where do lesser mortals look for guidance? A good start is knowing whether you're a short-term trader or a long-term investor. Plus ATO gives a capital gains gift.

Cherry-picking cost base after share sale is a tax gift

Graham Hand
28 June 2023
50

While the ATO has many ways to watch taxpayer transactions and ensure tax is collected, for some unknown reason, it is legal to select from four different cost base treatments for capital gains tax. It's costing billions.

Are death bed benefit super withdrawals effective?

Michael Hallinan
28 June 2023
19

If a super benefit is withdrawn by a member over 65 or a retiree for super purposes, there is no tax. If it is paid to independent children, tax is 17%. So how do death bed benefit withdrawals work in super?

How to find the best Aussie large-cap stocks

Paul Xiradis
28 June 2023
2

There can be both good and bad reasons behind a company that has become a large cap. It is not always apparent, but understanding the reasons can help focus on what matters when finding large-cap stocks.

Is more trouble coming for the 60/40 portfolio?

Stephen Miller
28 June 2023
4

The 60/40 portfolio has performed poorly during the recent period of high inflation. With peak inflation likely behind us, here's a stock-take on the year so far and what it might imply for portfolios going forward.

Three companies using technology to become global powerhouses

Francyne Mu
28 June 2023
1

By using data and technology, some companies are developing solutions to enhance their customers business and in the process expanding their own competitive advantages. Here are three industry leaders doing just that.

Podcast: How to build a resilient investment portfolio

Firstlinks, Morningstar
28 June 2023
1

The Wealth of Experience podcast features Morningstar's Global CIO Dan Kemp on building an 'all-weather' portfolio, plus Graham on capital gains tax and the RBA Review, and Peter with four favourite market themes.

Tribute to Nobel winner Markowitz: When Harry met Graham

Graham Hand
28 June 2023
1

Harry Markowitz died last week at the age of 95. He was the 1990 Nobel Laureate and the father of Modern Portfolio Theory. He explained to me the magic moment when he realised how risk-return in portfolios works.

Firstlinks is sponsored by:

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.

Harry Chemay
29 October 2025

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.

Romano Sala Tenna
15 October 2025

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.

James Gruber
29 October 2025

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.

James Gruber
15 October 2025

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.

Brooke Logan
1 October 2025

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?

Peter Bardos
22 October 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.