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Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 649

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 649

As many Firstlinks’ readers are aware James Gruber departed for a new opportunity at CommSec. I’m extremely grateful for everything James has done and his stewardship of Firstlinks. It is never easy to follow a founder and I’m proud of how James continued and expanded upon Graham’s legacy. That legacy is front of mind for me as the temporary custodian ...
Is there a better way to reform the CGT discount?

Is there a better way to reform the CGT discount?

One of the more controversial parts of our tax system – the capital gains tax discount – is currently under review in Canberra as part of a Greens-run Senate inquiry. The discount means that taxpayers who hold an asset for more than one year pay tax on only half of their gains. Most submissions to the Senate inquiry have focused on the level of the ...
It’s okay if house prices drop

It’s okay if house prices drop

Australia enters 2026 with its three largest cities each having an average house price of over $1 million. It’s frustrating for young Aussies like me looking to buy their first home. But it’s also the unsurprising outcome of a persistent, decades-long myth: that falling house prices are electorally fatal. Prime Minister John Howard set the tone ...
Investment bonds for intergenerational wealth transfer

Investment bonds for intergenerational wealth transfer

What is an investment bond? Investment bonds are pooled investments, like managed funds, which can be invested across a variety of asset classes to create diversification. One of the important differences between an investment bond and a managed fund, is that investment bonds are tax-paid. That means tax is paid on the earnings of the underlying ...
Why switching to income may make sense in 2026

Why switching to income may make sense in 2026

2025 was another great year for equity investors, the third year in a row where the ASX 300 returned more than 10%1. All investors want the good times to keep rolling, but the longer they do and the higher valuations creep the closer we are to an inevitable market correction. Investors that want to de-risk their portfolios might be tempted to sell out. ...
Retiring Schroders boss on lessons he’s learned, industry changes, and the market outlook

Retiring Schroders boss on lessons he’s learned, industry changes, and the market outlook

Simon Doyle is outgoing CEO and CIO, Schroders Australia. James Gruber: 22 years at Schroders, most of it as Head of Fixed Income and Multi-Asset and more recently as CEO and CIO, and 38 years in the finance industry – firstly, congratulations on a great career. Simon Doyle: Thank you. JG: What are the biggest changes that you’ve seen in the finance ...
How US midterm elections affect the markets

How US midterm elections affect the markets

With everything happening in the world — from the US push to annex Greenland, to new tariffs against Europe, to military intervention in Venezuela — investors may not be focused on the US midterm elections just yet. But this pivotal contest is just 10 months away, and the campaign starts in earnest next month when President Donald Trump delivers the ...

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 649

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 649
As many Firstlinks’ readers are aware James Gruber departed for a new opportunity at CommSec. I’m extremely grateful for everything James has done and his stewardship of Firstlinks. It is never easy to follow a founder and I’m proud of how James continued and expanded upon Graham’s legacy. That legacy is front of mind for me as the temporary custodian ...

Is there a better way to reform the CGT discount?

Is there a better way to reform the CGT discount?
One of the more controversial parts of our tax system – the capital gains tax discount – is currently under review in Canberra as part of a Greens-run Senate inquiry. The discount means that taxpayers who hold an asset for more than one year pay tax on only half of their gains. Most submissions to the Senate inquiry have focused on the level of the ...

It’s okay if house prices drop

It’s okay if house prices drop
Australia enters 2026 with its three largest cities each having an average house price of over $1 million. It’s frustrating for young Aussies like me looking to buy their first home. But it’s also the unsurprising outcome of a persistent, decades-long myth: that falling house prices are electorally fatal. Prime Minister John Howard set the tone ...

Investment bonds for intergenerational wealth transfer

Investment bonds for intergenerational wealth transfer
What is an investment bond? Investment bonds are pooled investments, like managed funds, which can be invested across a variety of asset classes to create diversification. One of the important differences between an investment bond and a managed fund, is that investment bonds are tax-paid. That means tax is paid on the earnings of the underlying ...

Why switching to income may make sense in 2026

Why switching to income may make sense in 2026
2025 was another great year for equity investors, the third year in a row where the ASX 300 returned more than 10%1. All investors want the good times to keep rolling, but the longer they do and the higher valuations creep the closer we are to an inevitable market correction. Investors that want to de-risk their portfolios might be tempted to sell out. ...

Retiring Schroders boss on lessons he’s learned, industry changes, and the market outlook

Retiring Schroders boss on lessons he’s learned, industry changes, and the market outlook
Simon Doyle is outgoing CEO and CIO, Schroders Australia. James Gruber: 22 years at Schroders, most of it as Head of Fixed Income and Multi-Asset and more recently as CEO and CIO, and 38 years in the finance industry – firstly, congratulations on a great career. Simon Doyle: Thank you. JG: What are the biggest changes that you’ve seen in the finance ...

How US midterm elections affect the markets

How US midterm elections affect the markets
With everything happening in the world — from the US push to annex Greenland, to new tariffs against Europe, to military intervention in Venezuela — investors may not be focused on the US midterm elections just yet. But this pivotal contest is just 10 months away, and the campaign starts in earnest next month when President Donald Trump delivers the ...