Monthly Musings

In this “Monthly Musings” for the month of March we will provide a Market Update, release a brand new episode of our short video series 3 Minute Tech titled “Division 296 – Super’s New Tax For Balances Above $3m”, highlight in our Focal Point section, “Super Contribution Caps & Limits Increasing“, and feature a flashback episode of our Finding the Front podcast from November 2021 with Richard Hyde the Founder, CEO & Executive Chairman, West African Resources.

Monthly Musings

In this “Monthly Musings” for the month of February we will provide a brief Market Update for the month, flashback to episode 40 of our short video series 3 Minute Tech titled “What financial advice would you give your 18 year old self?”, and showcase two brand newepisodes of our “Finding the Front” podcast featuring the Founder of Revo Fitness, Andrew Holder. Revo Fitness, a proudly WA business, is now one of the largest privately owned fitness operators in Australia, and in the lead up to the much anticipated 26^th annual Euroz Hartleys Institutional Investor Conference at Rottnest Island, we take the opportunity to have a chat to three leading Australian Small Companies Fund Managers in a Special Fund Manager Edition.

Yearly Outlook 2026

2025 proved again to be a year of resilient global economic growth and strong returns for risk assets. However, it certainly didn’t feel that way in early April as we all grappled with what President Trump’s Liberation Day meant for economies and markets. As it turned out, however, the worst tariff scenarios were avoided as Trump walked back from initial tariff levels, and importantly there were strong tailwinds for the US and global economies. Interest rates continued to be cut as inflation stabilised, and record levels of capex were invested in AI and technology. Highly stimulatory fiscal US deficits were continued if not increased with the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) by the US congress.

As we shift into 2026 one of the biggest challenges is thinking through where we are in the cycle, and how much risk and credence we should attach to the highly unconventional Trump administration.

Monthly Musings

In this “Monthly Musings” for the month of December we will provide a brief Market Update for the month, release a brand new episode of our short video series 3 Minute Tech titled “Downsizer Super Contributions”, look back at an important insight in our Focal Point section on “Division 293 Tax”, and showcase a brand new episode of our “Finding the Front” podcast with special guest, Chris Stott, Co-Founder, Chief Investment Officer & Portfolio Manager of 1851 Capital.

Division 293 Tax

High income earners will be familiar with the somewhat dreaded ‘Division 293 tax’. However, Division 293 tax does not only apply to those people who derive substantial income from employment or self-employment. The additional tax bill can crop up as a result of taxable income from other sources.

Monthly Musings

In this “Monthly Musings” for the month of November we will provide a Market and Economic Conditions Update, release a brand new episode of our short video series 3 Minute Tech titled “Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRPs)”,  look back at an important insight in our Focal Point section on “Testamentary Trusts”, and showcase a brand new episode of our “Finding the Front” podcast with special guest, Kyle De Souza, Euroz Hartleys Resources Analyst & Immediate Past President of WA School of Mines Alumni. 

Monthly Musings

In this “Monthly Musings” for the month of October we will provide a Market and Economic Conditions Update, release a brand new episode of our short video series 3 Minute Tech titled “How much Super should you have?”,  present an overview in our Focal Point section on “Better Targeted Super Concessions (Div. 296 Tax) Update”, and showcase a flashback to a popular episode of our “Finding the Front” podcast with special guest, Dale Henderson, Managing Director & CEO of Pilbara Minerals.

Better Targeted Super Concessions (Div. 296 Tax) Update

After sustained industry pushback, the Government has reshaped its Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions (BTSC) policy to remove the controversial tax on unrealised gains. From 1 July 2026, BTSC will apply only to realised earnings, introduce a two-tier framework for very large balances, and index the $3m and $10m thresholds to CPI (aligned with Transfer Balance Cap movements). The ATO will continue to assess liabilities, while funds – including SMSFs – will need the capability to attribute realised earnings to in scope members on a fair and reasonable basis.

Monthly Musings

In this “Monthly Musings” for the month of September we will provide a Market and Economic Conditions Update, release a brand new episode of our short video series 3 Minute Tech titled “Franking Credits”,  present an overview in our Focal Point section on “Deeming Rate Changes“, and showcase two flashback episodes of our “Finding the Front” podcast.  The first featuring Elizabeth Gaines, Non-Executive Director and Global Ambassador of Fortescue Metals Group, and the second with Australia’s global shipbuilder, Austal CEO, Paddy Gregg.

Deeming Rate Changes

After being frozen for five years, the Centrelink deeming rates recently rose on 20 September Deeming rates are used to work out income from financial assets, thereby providing administrative ease in the application of the income means test. The process assumes that certain financial assets earn a set rate of income, rather than considering what they really earn.