The Money Puzzle

The burning question for all investors is whether the global market is running ahead of itself?  Tim Toohey, head of macro strategy for Yarra Capital Management, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The growing gap between GDP and market returns  Could inflation fall from here Emerging value on the ASX The bear case for bank stocks  Se...

How would you deal with a global sharemarket crash? Because it’s not a question of if, but when. The AI boom, which underpinned the bumper super returns for many investors over the last financial year, has been extraordinary; But in mid-2026 even the most optimistic forecasters expect the markets to cool in the second half, while the doomsayers will suggest exuberant global markets are surel...

The numbers don't lie: The ASX did 3 per cent over the 12 months to June, and the S&P 500 did 20 per cent. Unless - like a big super fund - you had half your portfolio invested offshore, the chances are you underperformed in FY2026. Marc Jocum, investment strategist at GlobalX ETFs, joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: * Wall Street smashes the ASX......

Sweeping changes to Capital Gains Tax, Negative Gearing and Self-Managed Super Funds are confronting investors. How will they affect you? Stuart Wemyss from the ProSolution Private Clients group joins associate editor, James Kirby on this episode of the Money Puzzle podcast. In today's special episode, we cover: How will the CGT changes work? Winners and losers in negative gearing&n...

The government has made sure that superannuation investors did not entirely escape the investment tax overhaul: Is it still the relative winner as parliament prepares to sign off the Budget? Adviser James Wrigley of First Financial joins associate editor James Kirby in the episode. In today's show, we cover: What you need to know about super post-Budget A way you can still borrow and use...

Already reeling from a lift in CGT tax and a ban on negative gearing for existing properties, the Government is set to give the property market one last punch with a looming ban on borrowing inside Self Managed Super Funds. Beau Arfi of the Maple Property Group joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: Not finished with you yet - investors prepare for SMSF prop...

Investors are fully stretched trying to keep up with a remarkable period for markets as a record number of Australians make a 50 per cent profit on the SpaceX IPO, while at home the Treasurer announces the first major Budget backflip with a carve out for testamentary discretionary trusts. Hugh Robertson of Centaur Financial Services joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's s...

With negative gearing soon to be restricted to new buildings, property economics in the Australian market have been turned upside down: Until very recently, the outer suburbs were the last place investors looked for opportunity. But in the months ahead, the outer suburbs look set to become the new 'hot spot' of the wider market. Anissa Cavallo of Eda Property joins Associate Editor James Kirby in...

SpaceX lists today (June 12) and will be followed by two more AI mega-IPOs: OpenAI and Anthropic. Collectively valued at more than $US3.5 trillion, every index fund on the planet will be forced to buy them. Stockspot founder Chris Brycki joins The Australian's Wealth Editor Julie-anne Sprague to discuss whether this is the opportunity of a generation or the most expensive bag-hold in history. The...

Many Australians move abroad to earn more money - or at least that's the plan - but it doesn't always work out unless you do your homework first. Likewise, Australians returning from overseas can hit tangles with the ATO unless they think the whole project through very thoroughly. Brett Evans, the Dubai-based MD of Atlas Wealth Management, joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby, in this epis...

On average, women retire with 25% less superannuation than men, and one in ten have no super account at all. While you might assume this is purely down to career breaks, evidence shows the disparity starts much earlier - with females under 18 already trailing their male peers. What is really driving this, and what steps can women take to supercharge their savings? Gemma Dale, head of investor beha...

Do you speak the language of money? If you - or anyone close to you - cannot understand what the investment market is telling them, there can be a high price to pay. Investment commentator and Ecstra Foundation chair, Paul Clitheroe joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today’s show, we cover: Financial literacy, why it’s crucial and why Australia is struggling to kee...

As a property investor, you may already know the usual tax breaks for properties, like negative gearing, but did you know there are ways to boost your cash flow and tax deductions? 'Mr Taxman' Dr Adrian Raftery author and tax adviser joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today’s show we cover: The benefits of using a PAYG withholding variation Strategies for claiming deprec...

The Federal Budget will be a landmark moment for investors if it all goes through parliament as planned. Investors need to know what happened but also... what might happen next. Liam Shorte of Sonas Wealth joins Associate Editor James Kirby, in this episode  In today's show, we cover:  CGT changes and your share portfolio A surprise boost for gold investors The new attraction of the...

Property investors are trying to piece together the cumulative effect of the bad news in the Budget. How much will the combined CGT changes and negative gearing clampdown hit returns? For the everyday investor with the average established investment property the expected internal rate of return is set to plunge from 11 per cent to 8.4 per cent. Stuart Wemyss of the ProSolution Private Office group...

The 2026 Budget has introduced the biggest tax changes seen in decades: Every investor in Australia will be affected by the measures. Here's what you need to know...and what to do. Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode In today's show, we cover: The Capital Gains Tax changes: How negative gearing works from here Goodbye to the good old days fo...

Australian investors have fully embraced Exchange Traded Funds. Now, as the gap between managed funds and index funds narrows, investors want to know what's next on the menu? Daniel Shrimski, CEO of Vanguard Australia joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The changing shape of ETFs Industry leaders warn on CGT changes Vanguard's ISA plan for Australia The...

Investment property and high-dividend-paying shares are about to get a tax hit in the Budget: So, it's the perfect time to look wider for the active investor. Jack Tossol of the Partners Wealth Group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby, in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The persistence of private equity How 'growth' shares get hit with planned CGT changes Are start-ups real...

Interest rate hikes are just not the same anymore: Once upon a time, they hit the mortgage belt, that fictionalised housing strip in the outer suburbs populated by young families. Today the RBA’s weapon of choice lands heavily instead on older Australians.  What does it mean for the property investor?  Nerida Conisbee, chief economist at Ray White Group, joins Associate Editor, Jam...

The Iran crisis oil shock is creating winners and losers in the sharemarket, but it may not be playing out as you expect. Yes QANTAS is hit, but diesel-guzzlers BHP and Rio re big winners. How's that? And why is Wall Street streaking ahead of the ASX once more even though both markets are facing the same energy issues? Business columnist Eric Johnson jo...

Once you get on top of the basics, then investing should get a lot easier. But the hidden factors that make a difference between winning and losing inside the investment market - including the property market - often have more to do with bias. Rasti Vaibhav of the Get RARE property group joins Associate Editor, James Kirby, in this episode. In today's episode, we cover: The six signs you're a bias...

The private credit boom is having a shake-out: But not before many Australian investors - and big super funds - placed a lot of money into what has been, until very recently, a boom business. What's on the line and where is the exposure?  Andy Darroch of Independent Financial Advice joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover: The problems plaguing private c...

The upside of higher interest rates is that you might get more on your money in the bank. But it turns out that anyone who uses a 'bonus' account (which is where the banks offer the best rates) must satisfy the terms and conditions each month. And guess what?  More than 40 per cent of savers in this category don't meet their T&Cs each month - that means they don't get the rate rise. With...

You've only got a few months to go before the end of the financial year: It's time to plan your tax returns...and yes, this year - with soaring transport costs and changing super caps - it will be different. 'Mr Taxman' Dr Adrian Raftery author and tax adviser joins Associate Editor, James Kirby in this episode  In today's show, we cover: Don't miss the chance to claim your soaring transport...

It was not supposed to happen this year: Vacancy rates were meant to rise in 2026 and income was expected to flatten…not at all. Property investors are suddenly grappling with a reshaped market where forecasts have been turned upside down. Louis Christopher of SQM Research joins Associate Editor James Kirby in this episode. In today’s episode, we cover: As you were! The upset tre...