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1 September 2025
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Economic policy outcomes for US & Australia, insurance within super, performance of trend-following funds, beware of unexercised LIC options, SMSF interests and the FSI, and behind revenue growth figures.
Unemployment and inflation seem to be heading in different directions in Australia and the United States, but the outcomes for interest rates and equity markets might be the same.
There is little written about why insurance came to be included in the superannuation system. It might address the problem of under-insurance but it's a poor fit with superannuation's core purpose of funding retirement.
Most trend-following funds (managed futures or CTAs) have performed poorly recently, and investors are asking if they will work again. History shows how crisis and non-crisis periods influence this investment style.
Listed Investment Companies have enjoyed great investor support in the last year, but the structure usually comes with 'free' options to buy more shares. The impact of these options can trap the unwary.
Every SMSF owner should take an interest in David Murray’s Financial System Inquiry because it asks some fundamental questions including issues around limitations, tax breaks, contribution limits and more.
If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, is it necessarily a duck? That’s the mindset that is sometimes required to understand the revenue growth numbers being reported by companies at this time of year.
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.
Australia could unlock smarter investment and greater equity by reforming housing tax concessions. Rethinking exemptions on the family home could benefit most Australians, especially renters and owners of modest homes.
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.
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.
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.
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?