Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Register

5 August 2025

Home / 501

Some Reader Survey results, and time to respond

(Thanks for your interest in this Reader Survey, which is now closed with about 800 responses).

It is many years since we found out more about our readers and what they like and don't like about Firstlinks. We have received hundreds of responses to our Reader Survey, but we will leave it open for a few more days to maximise the sample size.

We promise we read and take onboard every one of the thousands of comments received. It is appreciated to hear so many of you look forward to receiving our newsletter.

Your feedback across a dozen quick questions will help to improve our content and it should take only a few minutes. The survey can be accessed via this link, or using the embedded form below.

The responses have been both insightful and surprising. Many have pointed to our independence and breadth of articles as strengths, and subcribers enjoy reading the comments attached to articles.

Age and SMSFs

One surprise has been the age of our subscribers, as the chart below reveals. We're sure there are more younger readers than shown here! Where are all the Gen X and Y? 

Reflecting this age distribution, most respondents are members of an SMSF, and a high proportion are retired. This is far higher than in previous surveys, and probably shows who is willing to put the time into responding rather than representing our audience.  

Passing to a friend or colleague

Firstlinks does not play the clickbait game of many newsletters, nor have we ever bought a mailing list, and we rely on our readers to refer the newsletter to friends and colleagues. We are grateful that 93% of respondents have either already referred, or are very likely or likely to, with some reasonable explanations of why they do not:

  • Most of my friends are not interested, simply pay and have others do it
  • I never refer or recommend anything to anybody
  • Most of my friends are dead already
  • I recommend to nobody. A problem with you becomes a problem with me
  • Most folk don't want to know and invest in term deposits and are too afraid to seek paid advice.

How likely are you to refer a friend or colleague to Firstlinks?

It's also useful for us to learn more about the subjects you would like Firstlinks to cover. 

What part of your investing do you want most help with?

So thanks again to all the respondents and please jump aboard if you have yet to share your views. 

 

Firstlinks is sponsored by:
banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Raising the GST to 15%

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.

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.

Here's what should replace the $3 million super tax

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. 

9 winning investment strategies

There are many ways to invest in stocks, but some strategies are more effective than others. Here are nine tried and tested investment approaches - choosing one of these can improve your chances of reaching your financial goals.

The rubbery numbers behind super tax concessions

In selling the super tax, Labor has repeated Treasury claims of there being $50 billion in super tax concessions annually, mostly flowing to high-income earners. This figure is vastly overstated.

With markets near record highs, here's what you should do with your portfolio

Markets have weathered geopolitical turmoil, hitting near record highs. Investors face tough decisions on valuations, asset concentration, and strategic portfolio rebalancing for risk control and future returns.

Latest Updates

Investment strategies

Finding income in an income-starved world

With term deposit rates falling, bonds holding up but with risks attached, and stocks yielding comparatively paltry sums, finding decent income is becoming harder. Here’s a guide to the best places to hunt for yield.

Economy

Fearful politicians put finances at risk

A tearful Treasury chief, a backbench rebellion, and crashing bonds. What just happened in the UK and why could Australia’s NDIS be headed for the same brutal fiscal reality?

Shares

Investing at market peaks: The surprising truth

Many investors are hesitant to buy into a market that feels like it’s already climbed too far, too fast. But what does nearly a century of market history suggest about investing at peaks?

Shares

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?

Investment strategies

Will stablecoins change the way we pay for things?

Stablecoins have been hyped as a gamechanger for the payments industry. But while they could find success in certain niches, a broader upheaval of Visa and Mastercard's payments dominance looks unlikely.

Infrastructure

An investing theme you can bet on for the next 30 years

Investors view infrastructure as a defensive asset class rather than one with compelling growth prospects. These five tailwinds for demand over the coming decades suggest that such a stance could be mistaken.

Investment strategies

A letter to my younger self: investing through today's chaos

We are trading through one of history's most confounding market environments. One day, financial headlines warn of doomsday scenarios. The next, they celebrate a new golden age. How can investors keep a clear head?

Sponsors

Alliances

Site Map

About Firstlinks

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

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.