We were told AI would take off as the investment theme of the year and it came to pass - that's why the NASDAQ has been about six times better than the ASX 200 in terms of returns this year. In today's show, we cover: The next phase of AI for investors Finding the 'picks and shovels' in the AI boom Some stocks to consider for 2024 Behind AusSuper's banning of Origin Energy share purchases Clay Carter, global head of equities at the Halo Technologies group joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in today's episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's one of Australia's biggest banks but we never see any data from it - in fact, we heavily underestimate the role of family finance in helping first-time buyers get started in the property market. But this is a key factor set to underpin yet another lift in house prices in 2024 if the economists have it right. In today's show, we cover: The Bank of Mum and Dad Immigration levels and the rental market The return of the lodger What happens to tax losses with the new super tax Diana Mousina, economist at AMP joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many investors now rely heavily on social media influencers for investment guidance: But who are these operators and do they have your best interests in mind? It's a key question for investors and regulators and the game is evolving very quickly indeed. In today's show, we cover: The pros and cons of social media investment guidance How crypto investing through social media is a world within a world Are you trading enough to fall foul of the tax office? Balanced portfolios - have the rules changed? Gemma Dale, head of investor behavior and SMSF at Nabtrade joins Wealth Editor James Kirby on today's episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian house prices could see a nationwide fall next year with Sydney leading the downturn on a forecast drop of four per cent, according to property research agency SQM. But in today's podcast, one of the top buyer's agents on the ground in Sydney reflects wide scepticism in the market over any perceived softening of prices. In today's episode we cover; the factors that will hold the market up in 2024, rental assistance, tips for renovating on a $1,000 budget and diversifying your property portfolio. Kitty Parker of Kitty and Miles Buyers Agency joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian investors kept away from bonds for many years preferring instead ‘bond proxies’ such as the banks and telco fully franked shares. And they did the right thing because bonds have been bad news for the last three years - especially bond ETFs where total returns have let people down. But now the time may be right …for government bonds bought one by one and held to maturity. In today’s episode we cover; the 2024 appeal of bonds, tax cuts coming, HECs and HELP and whether loans are included in super caps? Hugh Robertson of Centaur Financial joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a while, it seemed as if the China buyer - a potentially powerful influence at property auctions -had left the scene. But in recent months Australia has emerged as the number one overseas destination for China-based property investors, even surpassing Canada in terms of activity. In today's show, we look at how the China buyer rebound is changing the market, where are the mortgage stress signals in the bank results and waiting for the interest rate peak. Pete Wargent of AllenWargent Property Buyers joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in today's episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The nation's super funds will be able to widen the range of financial advice they offer under the new Future of Financial Advice legislation: What does it mean for you? In today's show we cover; how the market's second biggest fund - ART - plans to expand advice, the reality of super's little known inheritance tax, what is Nick Bolton up to at Magellan and can the ASX withstand the loss of major stocks? Anne Fuchs, executive general manager at the Australian Retirement Trust joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in today's episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone likes to think they know their own neighborhood: As a result ‘home bias’ is a major issue among property investors. For first-time investors the issue is acute: The first steps into property would be even more daunting if the investment was in a distant city. But staying at home - especially in Melbourne - may just mean missing the best opportunities. In today’s show, we cover : Making sure you are not being dudded by the body corporate Buying interstate - the pros and cons A cool response to making changes on Capital Gains Tax Where are exiting property investors putting their funds? James Gerrard of www.financialadviser.com.au joins Wealth Editor James Kirby See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are on the cusp of the biggest handover of wealth in the history of the nation: A wall of money- estimated at $3.5 trillion - from both wills and super is about to transfer to the next generation. In Australia, we don't have an inheritance tax (though we do have an effective tax of 17 percent on money inherited through Super). With everyone living longer and the age of inheritance moving ever higher, the issue of 'impatience' is building with some investors not just anticipating future income but actively mortgaging their inheritance...it's a very bad idea. In today's show explain why... and also look at: The rules of inheritance for all generations How to lower the tax due on super inheritance Ozempic's health and investment outcomes Super statistics for women Jacqui Clarke of Maxima Private joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The housing market is in a state of paralysis. Renters can’t find accommodation yet investors are moving their money out. There must be a way to revive the market for all concerned. In today’s show we examine a simple change to Capital Gains Tax that could breathe new life into this moribund market. Better still, such a tax change would not require cross-border agreement from the states and there is already a precedent tax rule in place since the days of the Howard government. In this episode we cover; expanding the CGT discount for long term investors, applying the small business retirement exemption rules to property owners and whether you should buy in a city you don’t know. Stuart Wemyss of ProSolution joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in the episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ozempic is causing a sensation in the health industry: Originally a weight loss treatment, it is now clear the so-called GLP-1 drug can have positive effects on other health conditions such as diabetes. But for Australian investors, it means a string of household favorite stocks such as CSL and ResMed have been hit hard. Today we look at whether the 'Ozempic-sell off' may just be a rare opportunity to get into blue chips at a discount. In this episode we cover whether the market impact of Ozempic is overstated, the high cost of your big dividends, the sorry tale of shares that go to zero, and will fewer workers mean less goes into super? Shareplicity author Danielle Ecuyer joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in today's episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Australia home prices have lifted higher than anyone might have reasonably expected: it means millions of Australians have financial power locked up in their homes. Accessing home equity is one of the few ways the average investor can get to finance extra investments or settle financial emergencies without having to pay exorbitant credit card rates. In today's show we cover; how to use the equity in your home, how to compare market lending rates and do listed property trusts offer true diversification? Anthony Keane, personal finance writer at News Corporation joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legal structure around family trusts in Australia has just survived a double stress test in the courts where the ATO tried to make changes in the personal use of some assets: The case has now been turned away for a second time on appeal and for now the coast is clear. Is a family trust worth exploring? Can we assume the legal structure widely used by business owners, farmers, and wealthy investors is now secure? In today's episode, we cover: Family Trusts - what you need to know Capital Gains Tax and super Risk-taking in your own name Are private credit offerings as good as they seem? Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a rental shortage across the major cities, new research has revealed there are more than 600,000 spots across urban Australia where owners could install a residential unit such as a 'granny flat'. At a stroke, such a change would change the dynamics of the market - not to mention the household income of many Australians struggling to come to terms with the reality of the current market. In today's show we cover; the powerful potential of the 'granny flat', rules and regulations around independent living units, and why property owners are quitting Victoria. Tim Lawless, research director of CoreLogic joins Wealth Editor James Kirby in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has finally outlined the details of the new super tax and it will hit many more investors than forecast initially. In particular the effective 30 per cent tax on amounts above $3 million will hit middle-income property investors where the bulk of the assumed value of their super fund may be taken up with an investment mortgage. In today’s show we cover; ‘T bill and chill’ - is cash and fixed income good enough now, three bad years in a row for bond ETFs, cashing out annual leave and the best way to deal with the plan for higher super tax. Adviser Doug Turek of Minchin Moore Private is Wealth Editor James Kirby’s guest in this episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year’s immigration intake means a city the size of Newcastle has effectively arrived looking for accommodation within the nation’s existing housing stock - and it’s the key reason rental incomes are soaring and vacancy rates are close to one per cent. Moreover, there is very little to suggest the scenario of demand greatly outweighing supply will change over the next three years. In today’s show we cover; the very strong outlook for rental investment property, why house prices can keep rising moderately from here, rock bottom home ownership levels for younger Australians and is Hobart set to slip from Australia’s fourth most expensive city. Saul Eslake of Corinna Economic Advisory joins Wealth Editor James Kirby on today’s episode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s moves into renewables and Laurence Escalante’s VGW gaming empire are interesting insights into where some of the wealthiest names in business are seeing the future. Should you follow them? Would you invest? Plus Bruce Mathieson on Endeavour and Alex Waislitz’s foresight on interest rates. In today's show, we also cover: SMSFs v APRA funds and how CGT impacts your final super balance. Will Baby Boomers retirement see our nation’s super-pot start to reduce? Non-concessional super contributions and tax Will BRIC’s expansion bring about the death of the US dollar? Bruce Brammall, financial adviser at Bruce Brammall Financial (www.brucebrammallfinancial.com.au ), was this week’s host of The Money Puzzle and was joined by John Stensholt, Richest 250 List editor at The Australian. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria is the first Australian state to legislate a levy on revenue generated from short term accommodation platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz. The 7.5 per cent levy will commence from 1 January 2025 as is an attempt to tackle the ongoing rental crisis, which many politicians blame on the rise in popularity of short term letting platforms such as Airbnb. Although Victoria will be the first to implement an 'Airbnb tax', other states have already flagged their intention to review, and most likely implement a similar system. In today's show, we cover; whether this is fair or another case of government meddling, if it still makes sense to rent a property on a short term basis, tips and tricks for prospective owners of Airbnb properties, and when is the 'right' time to pay down investment property debt? Quirin Schwaighofer, co-founder of short term accommodation management company MadeComfy, joins James Gerrard founder of www.financialadvisor.com.au on today's show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uranium exchange-traded funds have increased 20 percent in value over the past month and are up 50 percent over the past 6 months, making uranium a standout metal commodity for 2023. Given that Australia is not pro-nuclear power, it is easy to forget about uranium in an investment portfolio. However, Australia has around a quarter of the world's uranium deposits and several strong uranium mining, exploration, development and production companies on the ASX . We discuss the opportunity with uranium, discuss whether investors have missed the boat and look at the long-term thematics of uranium and how investors can potentially position it in their portfolios. In today's show, we also cover * How the China property market woes will affect Australia * What to do when bond yields eventually stop rising * Pros and cons of using a no frills accountant for your super fund * Why did the RBA have to raise interest rates to reduce inflation? Betashares chief economist David Bassanese joins James Gerrard founder of www.financialadvisor.com.au on today's show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you successfully manage a property - or a string of properties? There are multiple risks and pitfalls in running a portfolio, but with a little forward planning you can optimise your assets. In today's show we cover; whether to manage property by yourself or with a professional, dealing with a body corporate, assembling a team of professionals, and the secrets of buying interstate. Stuart Wemyss of ProSolution Private Clients joins Wealth Editor James Kirby for this special series episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.