What financial risks to avoid in the year ahead 

Interest rates are set to fall in 2025 - and we may have to say goodbye to the days of 5 per cent returns for zero risk. 

Interest rates are set to fall in 2025 - and we may have to say goodbye to the days of 5 per cent returns for zero risk. Of course, there is no lack of opportunists standing in the wings with ideas for your money: The problem is that most of these 'opportunities' will come with a lot more risk than a bank deposit. What to do?

Liam Shorte of the Sonas Wealth group joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode.

---------
In today's show, we cover
Preparing for lower fixed-interest returns 
The risk of alternatives...especially private credit funds
Taking profits on Commonwealth Bank stock
How much time should you spend on your investments 

Interest rates are set to fall in 2025 - and we may have to say goodbye to the days of 5 per cent returns for zero risk. Of course, there is no lack of opportunists standing in the wings with ideas for your money: The problem is that most of these 'opportunities' will come with a lot more risk than a bank deposit. What to do?
Liam Shorte of the Sonas Wealth group joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode.
--------- In today's show, we cover
<ul>
<li>Preparing for lower fixed-interest returns&nbsp;</li>
<li>The risk of alternatives...especially private credit funds</li>
<li>Taking profits on Commonwealth Bank stock</li>
<li>How much time should you spend on your investments&nbsp; </li>
</ul>

Unlock your wealth potential with The Money Puzzle.

Featuring two power-packed episodes each week packed with smart money-making strategies, from superannuation to investing in shares, plus in-depth analysis of property markets.

Get tips from leading experts and practical tools to help build lasting wealth.

Submit your questions at themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au. 

Unlock your wealth potential with The Money Puzzle.
Featuring two power-packed episodes each week packed with smart money-making strategies, from superannuation to investing in shares, plus in-depth analysis of property markets.
Get tips from leading experts and practical tools to help build lasting wealth.
Submit your questions at <a href="mailto:themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au">themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au</a>.&nbsp;

The Australian’s Money Puzzle covers all important finance and property topics.

The Money Puzzle

Every week, The Australian's James Kirby delivers two power-packed episodes featuring in-depth analysis of property markets and smart money-making strategies.

Unlock your wealth potential with The Money Puzzle.

Featuring two power-packed episodes each week packed with smart money-making strategies, from superannuation to investing in shares, plus in-depth analysis of property markets.

Get tips from leading experts and practical tools to help build lasting wealth.

Submit your questions at themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au.

Unlock your wealth potential with The Money Puzzle.
Featuring two power-packed episodes each week packed with smart money-making strategies, from superannuation to investing in shares, plus in-depth analysis of property markets.
Get tips from leading experts and practical tools to help build lasting wealth.
Submit your questions at themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au.

What financial risks to avoid in the year ahead (with Liam Shorte)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/5a4a4cfc-6bc2-42e9-a836-b26c003272c0/transcript

Separately Managed Accounts: Advisers love them, but should you?

SMAs are booming inside the financial advice sector: But if they are so terrific, then why is regulator ASIC asking so many probing questions around fees and conflicts of interest?

SMAs are booming inside the financial advice sector: But if they are so terrific, then why is regulator ASIC asking so many probing questions around fees and conflicts of interest?

Nathan Fradley of Fradley Advice joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode.


In today's show, we cover...
The good, bad and potentially ugly side of the SMA boom
Will SMSFs get a fair deal in the new Compo scheme of last resort
Reward points and super funds- a marriage made in the marketing department
Why are financial advice fees not coming down if AI cuts costs?

SMAs are booming inside the financial advice sector: But if they are so terrific, then why is regulator ASIC asking so many probing questions around fees and conflicts of interest? Nathan Fradley of Fradley Advice joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode.
 In today's show, we cover...
<ul>
<li>The good, bad and potentially ugly side of the SMA boom</li>
<li>Will SMSFs get a fair deal in the new Compo scheme of last resort</li>
<li>Reward points and super funds- a marriage made in the marketing department</li>
<li>Why are financial advice fees not coming down if AI cuts costs?</li>
</ul>

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/11f9fb9b-c65b-4b19-aae9-b4270058047b/transcript

Standby for a house price downturn

You can’t have a run of interest rate hikes and expect property to shoot out the lights. The chances are we are going to see a price slowdown in the major cities later this year…especially at the top end. But a string of factors point to serious resilience at the other end of the market.

You can’t have a run of interest rate hikes and expect property to shoot out the lights. The chances are we are going to see a price slowdown in the major cities later this year…especially at the top end. But a string of factors point to serious resilience at the other end of the market.

Independent housing analyst, Eliza Owen, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode 

In today’s show, we cover:
The key factors keeping demand strongest at the entry level
How the 5% home deposit scheme skewed house prices
A new CGT discount rate of 33% is now the most likely Budget change
The problem with ‘grandfathering’ 

You can&rsquo;t have a run of interest rate hikes and expect property to shoot out the lights. The chances are we are going to see a price slowdown in the major cities later this year&hellip;especially at the top end. But a string of factors point to serious resilience at the other end of the market.
Independent housing analyst, Eliza Owen, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode&nbsp;
In today&rsquo;s show, we cover:
<ul>
<li>The key factors keeping demand strongest at the entry level</li>
<li>How the 5% home deposit scheme skewed house prices</li>
<li>A new CGT discount rate of 33% is now the most likely Budget change</li>
<li>The problem with &lsquo;grandfathering&rsquo;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Where investors will hunt in the looming property downturn

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/2742e0af-d004-4807-a8a7-b425003b5404/transcript

Why the oil shock is turning investors back to the ASX

One of the first moves is a distinct retreat from Wall Street back to the ASX, as investors seek mining and energy stocks along with blue chips that can deliver reliable dividends.

What are investors doing in reaction to the shocking turn in markets during the first three months of 2026? 

One of the first moves is a distinct retreat from Wall Street back to the ASX, as investors seek mining and energy stocks along with blue chips that can deliver reliable dividends. It's early days but we are also seeing a pick-up in defensive investments such as infrastructure and a little less enthusiasm for gold.

David Bassanese, chief economist at ETF provider Betashares, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode.

In today's show, we cover:
The surprise swing back to the ASX
Where to invest now?
The continuing case for gold (despite a bad run)
CGT - To grandfather or not to grandfather? 

What are investors doing in reaction to the shocking turn in markets during the first three months of 2026?&nbsp;
One of the first moves is a distinct retreat from Wall Street back to the ASX, as investors seek mining and energy stocks along with blue chips that can deliver reliable dividends. It's early days but we are also seeing a pick-up in defensive investments such as infrastructure and a little less enthusiasm for gold.
David Bassanese, chief economist at ETF provider Betashares, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode.
In today's show, we cover:
<ul>
<li>The surprise swing back to the ASX</li>
<li>Where to invest now?</li>
<li>The continuing case for gold (despite a bad run)</li>
<li>CGT - To grandfather or not to grandfather?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Bringing it all back home - Why the oil shock is turning investors back to the ASX

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/cd10724d-7748-4e3a-959a-b41e00224148/transcript

What financial risks to avoid in the year ahead (with Liam Shorte)

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