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16 July 2025
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Australia's stock market is more insulated from tariff shocks than most. What's more, any volatility could provide opportunities for investors to build exposure to solid dividend payers at more reasonable prices.
Equity markets have been lashed by Trump's tariff policies, yet REITs have outperformed. Not only are they largely unaffected by tariffs, but they offer a unique combination of growth, sound fundamentals, and value.
Welcome to a special 600th Edition of Firstlinks. Over 12 years, Firstlinks has become one of Australia’s leading financial newsletters. We mark the occasion as well as delve into the best ways to find a good fund manager.
What we know about DeepSeek so far could be a mixed bag for data centre owners like Goodman Group. However, it's worth remembering that AI adoption isn't the only thing that matters to the industry's outlook.
Investors remain fixated on stocks exposed to megatrends like AI and digitisation. Another less appreciated asset class offers significant structural growth without the excessive valuations that usually come with it.
Slowing demand and profit warnings from the EV manufacturers has seen analysts revise down their EV penetration forecasts. What's behind the slowdown, and are the issues a blip or something more serious?
Global REITs have been out of favour for some time. While office remains a concern, the rest of the sector is in good shape and offers compelling value, with many REITs trading below underlying asset replacement costs.
Corporate governance reforms in Japan have helped spur a 45% rise in the share market over the past 12 months. Korea looks set to follow the Japanese reform playbook, and may be poised for a similar bounce.
The Magnificent Seven are hogging the headlines, yet there are plenty of growth opportunities elsewhere, at a fraction of the cost. Here are three stock ideas riding key areas of structural and cyclical change.
The market seems to have factored in the positives of a soft economic landing for the major banks. Yet earnings headwinds from lower margins and higher bad debts are likely pressure bank share prices this year.
Before the last few weeks, sections of US equity markets were rising rapidly, driving a more concentrated market and wide valuation dispersions. The extremes are creating cyclical and structural opportunities.
The market is enamoured by new world stocks and is overlooking traditional old world assets. It is uncomfortable to buy unpopular stocks after a setback, but two Australian companies may have better times ahead.
Who will emerge as the largest multinationals in the decades to come? There's a fair chance they won't come from the West - here is a look at why this is, and the three stocks that could become global powerhouses.
After two solid years of post pandemic dividend growth, strong momentum has continued this year, providing great news for retirees. And the outlook for dividends remains bright, despite a challenging macroeconomic backdrop.
Investors need to adjust to a market regime change of fiscal stimulus and a boom in intangible asset investment. The resulting volatility in nominal GDP is likely to lead to a decline in equity market multiples.
A collection of interviews with financial markets experts on investing, superannuation, retirement and other topical issues, as published by Firstlinks over 2021 and 2022.
A global technology arms race between the US and China is heating up. We examine what's happening now and whats likely to happen in future. As well as the risks and opportunities for investors from this crisis.
With inflation above 6%, the real value of term deposits is falling rapidly, and some retirees may be shocked how quickly they qualify for and rely on the age pension. Meanwhile, the outlook for dividends is good.
Markets may be at an inflection point which could usher in a renewed focus on fundamentals and valuations. Is the golden age of growth investing a thing of the past?
Global microcaps are a relatively underexplored and misunderstood asset class. They allow diversification from the concentration seen not only in large cap indexes, but the companies held by many active managers.
Global real estate can deliver competitive returns despite inflation and rising rates provided the property comes with attractive supply and demand trends, strong balance sheets and quality management teams.
We face a huge economic transformation that is not a priority for politicians. Yet a typical super portfolio emits about 28 tonnes of CO2 per annum through its equities ownership, more than the average household.
Westpac has sent out details of its buy-back and readers have asked for an explanation. It is not beneficial for all investors and whether this one works for some depends on where the bank sets the final price.
You could be forgiven for ignoring the spectacle that was COP26, but decarbonisation is a theme investors cannot ignore when it comes to portfolio positioning for the long term.
Jacob Mitchell spent 14 years at Platinum before establishing Antipodes in 2015. He discusses trends he is following, his biggest lessons, LICs versus active ETFs and a stock he will hold for at least 10 years.
The Chinese Government has been tightening lending conditions for developers but has no motive to undermine the housing market. Evergrande's restructure will be messy but the Government will stabilise the market.
The Listed Investment Company structure is under siege, but for the right type of asset and manager, it still carries strong appeal. Every LIC should review whether it has a genuine reason to exist in this form.
Investing in small caps can deliver significant growth and diversity to a portfolio, but with the potential for strong performance comes greater investment risk, especially from lesser known companies.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers aims to tackle tax reform but faces challenges. Previous reviews struggled due to political sensitivities, highlighting the need for comprehensive and politically feasible change.
You've no doubt heard about Division 296. These case studies show what people at various levels above the $3 million threshold might need to pay the ATO, with examples ranging from under $500 to more than $35,000.
The $3m super tax could be put down to the Government needing money and the wealthy being easy targets. It’s deeper than that though and this looks at the factors behind the policy and why more taxes on the wealthy are coming.
The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.
Business investment and per capita GDP have languished over the past decade and the Labor Government is conducting inquiries to find out why. Franking credits should be part of the debate about our stalling economy.
With Div. 296 looming, is there a smarter way to tax superannuation? This proposes a fairer, income-linked alternative that respects compounding, ensures predictability, and avoids taxing unrealised capital gains.