The Money Puzzle

The bargain hunters are in the market but many big funds and family offices are concentrating more on building cash: That’s because investment markets are more than 'uncertain' just now - in reality they are unfathomable. Today's guest spot goes to one of the best-known investors (and philanthropists) in Australia, Chris Cuffe. --------- In today's episode, we cover: * Asset allocation in an...

Falling interest rates, a wild share market and an election campaign where both parties are falling over each other to throw money at first-home buyers...it's the perfect conditions for a lift in residential prices throughout 2025. Stuart Wemyss of the Prosolution Private Clients group joins Associate Editor- Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. …. In today's show, we cover Green light...

Yes, the current market crisis has been 'caused' by the US: You could say the same for the  dot.com crash and the GFC. But is that an argument for stepping away from the country which represents more than 60 per cent of the global share market - and hosts the world's most important bond market? Dr Sam Wylie of the Windlestone Education group joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in thi...

The share markets have dropped hard following a severe bout of selling by institutional investors, but share-broker data suggests that everyday investors are bargain hunting. What's really going on? Gemma Dale, head of investor behaviour at NABtrade joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in this episode. ------ In today's show, we cover: * What bargain hunters are buying  * Gold drops f...

Trump's upending of world trade happens to coincide with challenging times for Big Super: The major funds face weak share markets while battling a range of administrative failures that have put Australian Super and CBUS  in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. It might be time to take control. Hugh Robertson of Centaur Financial Services joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James Kirby in thi...

Donald Trump's unleashing of his tariff program through the Liberation Day plan has the share market reeling - and the US market is reeling the most with the weakest numbers so far this year. As Trump's old colleague, Steve Bannon, calls for Liberation Day to be made a public holiday in the US, it's time to take a serious look at Trump and your investments. Cameron Stewart, Chief International Cor...

The 2025 Budget managed to squeeze in a few pre-election surprises. A teeny tax cut, a decision to 'do nothing' on pension access (with unchanged deeming rates) and a genuine move to upgrade the government's signature Shared Home Ownership program. The so-called Help To Buy scheme will be very popular, but what are the risks? In this episode, Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associa...

The tug of war between property and shares never ends: But for many investors, one area is more attractive. My guest in this episode has spent a lifetime investing - along with commenting on investment markets - and has come to a clear conclusion. You may not agree, but you should definitely hear him out.  Anthony Keane, personal finance writer for News Corporation joins James Kirby in this e...

It now takes more than $600m to even feature on the Australian’s Rich 250:  But what does it take to build a fortune of that size in 2025? Today we get an inside view on the people behind Australia’s greatest fortunes. John Stensholt, Rich 250 editor joins James Kirby Associate Editor - Wealth in this week’s episode   In this episode, we cover Rich 250 - The Chemis...

One of the most popular features of the Money Puzzle podcast has been listener questions which we read on air: Now we want to hear you asking your questions! We're asking listeners to send in a voice memo from their phone and share it on the show to  themoneypuzzle@theaustralian.com.au . Also in today's show, we cover the problem with quirky properties. Buyer's advocate Cate Bakos warns...

It had to happen: Tariffs, recession indicators and an overpriced Wall Street: The sharemarket has taken a tumble. As luck would have it, the Money Puzzle has a top value investor on the show this week and he names three top stocks that can survive just about anything! Roger Montgomery of Montgomery Investment Management joins James Kirby in this episode. ----- In today's show, we cover... The sha...

Finally, after much flipping and flopping the government has decided to go ahead with a pre-election budget on March 25: What will it mean for your investment plans? James Gerrard of  financialadviser.com.au joins James Kirby in this episode. ----- In today's show, we cover: What's the Coalition deal on tapping super to buy a home? How the ALP plans to offer a 20% discount on student debt Cou...

The US sharemarket has lost all of the gains it racked up since the Trump election and the spectre of a tariff war is casting gloom across global trade. What to do? First of all, give up on those stocks you were hoping would 'turn' and then do a full 'clean out' of your share portfolio.  Rudi Filapek-Vandyck of FNArena joins James Kirby in this episode  ---- In today's show, we...

The upper end of the market - defined by properties which rank in the 25 per cent of most expensive sales - is the layer that is moving up after the rate cut. And that means the post-rate cut bounce is concentrated in the two largest cities of Sydney and Melbourne. In fact, Melbourne might finally be turning a corner. Property analyst Eliza Owen of Corelogic joins James Kirby in this episode. ----...

The superstar CEO is a complex package: You might love what they can do with the share price, but you might equally feel unsure about their behaviour day-to-day. What to do?  Author and family office adviser, Jacqui Clarke, joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------ On today’s show, we cover: Passive investing …it’s not what it used to be  Wealthy investor...

For many property investors stand-alone homes will always win: Similarly, there is an investor bias towards the metropolitan centres of Sydney and Melbourne. But Hotspotting expert, Terry Ryder, sees the market differently: He offers a fresh view on the prospects for investors in the year ahead and may challenge some cherished assumptions. Terry Ryder, director of the Hotspotting group, joins weal...

Every investor needs to digest the changed direction of rates after the first cut in four years from the RBA: The headlines are all about mortgage cost reductions but for many investors the big question is - What to do now that risk-free investing is a fading feature of the market? James Gerrard of financialadviser.com.au joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. -------- In today's show, w...

For some investors a Self Managed Super Fund is their only entry point to the property market: But does it make sense? Stuart Wemyss of ProSolution Private Clients joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover  The pros and cons of holding property in a SMSF The compromise: Co-investing with your own fund Property 'pre-nups' - the Bank of Mum and Dad loan agreemen...

Australian investors have never put so much money into the US market: That's largely because Wall Street stocks have been twice as profitable as ASX investments for years. The question now is how long can it last? In short, it can continue...but the composition of those share returns may change. Doug Turek of Minchin Moore Private Wealth joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------ In t...

Rates are set to drop throughout 2025: But who knows if the RBA will get to cut much? And if they do, who knows if the banks will put the cuts through? They certainly dragged their tail during the last cycle. The key for investors is knowing how to get the best deal on rates in any part of the cycle. Sally Tindall of the Canstar group joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------- In tod...

Standby for a 'giveaway' pre-election Federal Budget on March 25. If history is any guide there is little for investors to worry about this time around: In fact, the main challenge might be keeping up with the areas of the economy which receive the most largesse from Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Financial adviser Will Hamilton joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's show, we cover:...

Real estate transactions typically involve people who are not used to sending large amounts of money through the banking system; It's the perfect setting for internet fraud.  Real estate agents and conveyance lawyers are now struggling to get their daily work done as cybercrime accelerates...what to do? Buyer's advocate Kitty Parker joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. In today's...

It's a defining feature of our economy: One in two Australians is involved in the Bank of Mum and Dad, and until now nobody had any hard numbers on the very big business of handing money to adult kids. Global investment bank UBS has finally got a measure on the 'elephant in the room' and it's time we talked to them. Richard Schellbach, equities strategist at UBS joins wealth editor James Kirb...

They call it an 'information gap': Property professionals know property but can't be expected to offer independent advice. Meanwhile, independent financial advisors rarely know much about property. What's the best way forward for the everyday investor? Financial adviser James Gerrard joins wealth editor James Kirby in this episode. ------------ In today's show, we cover How to find financial advic...

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...