Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

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. 

 

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Simple maths says the AI investment boom ends badly

This AI cycle feels less like a revolution and more like a rerun. Just like fibre in 2000, shale in 2014, and cannabis in 2019, the technology or product is real but the capital cycle will be brutal. Investors beware.

Why we should follow Canada and cut migration

An explosion in low-skilled migration to Australia has depressed wages, killed productivity, and cut rental vacancy rates to near decades-lows. It’s time both sides of politics addressed the issue.

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.

Australian house price speculators: What were you thinking?

Australian housing’s 50-year boom was driven by falling rates and rising borrowing power — not rent or yield. With those drivers exhausted, future returns must reconcile with economic fundamentals. Are we ready?

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?

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 627 with weekend update

This week, I got the news that my mother has dementia. It came shortly after my father received the same diagnosis. This is a meditation on getting old and my regrets in not getting my parents’ affairs in order sooner.

  • 4 September 2025

Latest Updates

Shares

Why the ASX may be more expensive than the US market

On every valuation metric, the US appears significantly more expensive than Australia. However, American companies are also much more profitable than ours, which means the ASX may be more overvalued than most think.

Economy

No one holds the government to account on spending

Government spending is out of control and there's little sign that Labor will curb it. We need enforceable rules on spending and an empowered budget office to ensure governments act responsibly with taxpayers money.

Retirement

Why a traditional retirement may be pushed back 25 years

The idea of stopping work during your sixties is a man-made concept from another age. In a world where many jobs are knowledge based and can be done from anywhere, it may no longer make much sense at all.

Shares

The quiet winners of AI competition

The tech giants are in a money-throwing contest to secure AI supremacy and may fall short of high investor expectations. The companies supplying this arms race could offer a more attractive way to play AI adoption.

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.

Infrastructure

Renewable energy investment: gloom or boom?

ESG investing has fallen out of favour with many investors, and Trump's anti-green policies haven't helped. Yet, renewables investment is still surging, which could prove a boon for infrastructure companies.

Investing

The enduring wisdom of John Bogle in five quotes

From buying the whole market to controlling emotions, John Bogle’s legendary advice reminds investors that patience, discipline, and low costs are the keys to investment success in any market environment.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 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.