As Editor of Firstlinks, can you give us a bit of background on the newsletter for someone who has never read it?
Firstlinks publishes enduring and original articles showing how to invest for the long term, rather than focusing on stories about today’s noise and market.

The weekly newsletter is free and our website includes thousands of articles on investing and financial markets. Most of our readers are not market professionals but self-directed, smart investors who want to learn more about their portfolios as they plan for the future. Each edition includes useful information for the full range of knowledge, from beginner to expert.  
 
The newsletter is approaching its 500^th edition. How has it evolved since its first publication?
We began over 10 years ago as a platform for experienced market experts, such as fund managers, to share their investing ideas. We have evolved into a leading site for discussing financial markets, investment products, retirement, superannuation, and demographics with engaged readers who comment enthusiastically.

Hundreds of people from a wide variety of backgrounds have written for us, all stored in a searchable archive. Although we write our own content, most of our articles come in each week from market experts who want to reach our 100,000 monthly active users.

What kind of story makes a good fit for Firstlinks?
We publish seven articles each week plus an editorial which gives scope to cover many topics and reader needs. Most of our readers are nearing or in retirement, and articles on superannuation and retirement planning always perform well.

We like fresh and original opinions, sometimes controversial, rather than simply facts, with evidence to support a view. The best engagement comes with articles discussing potential new government policies, and how to build a portfolio or asset allocations in changing conditions.   
 
Considering the state of the global economy over the past few years, how do you think investment and superannuation strategies are changing?
In recent years, when interest rates were close to zero, it was difficult for investors or savers to achieve decent returns on cash or deposits, and many turned to the stock market for their income. However, older people generally do not have the risk appetite to hold most of their assets in shares and will tend to sell when the market falls.

The major change is that with rising rates, it is now possible to achieve around four per cent to six per cent on deposits or securities, which is sufficient income for many people. A diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, property and alternatives will work well for most investors if they can focus long-term and not panic when the market falls.
 
Last time you spoke to Telum, you said the “media does investors a disservice with headlines like 'markets panic' and 'stocks plunge'." How has the financial media climate changed since then?
It has not changed, it is designed to sell newspapers or generate views. The hysteria turns people away from buying quality shares, which over the long run, are the best investments for generating wealth.

If investors can accept that the rewards from buying shares come with a degree of risk, and if they can ignore the noise and short-term volatility, they will be rewarded over the decades ahead to fund their retirement. Moving in and out of markets, buying at the top in euphoria and selling at the bottom in panic, delivers the worst outcome, and much of the media encourages these types of reactions.  

Are there any big stories you are keeping an eye on this year?
There is always something happening in financial markets. The biggest story now is inflation causing rising interest rates, but much of the media coverage is repetitive and predictable.

The challenge is to find a different angle, as every news outlet is already describing how the Reserve Bank increases rates every month. It’s become a boring story - a reporter standing in Martin Place, an interview with a home loan borrower, a quotation from the Reserve Bank Governor, dire consequences of future increases… it’s the same each month.

Rather, focus on the implications for asset allocation, the winners and losers, and how investors should take advantage of the opportunities.

Also, the Federal Budget is coming in May and we expect major changes to superannuation, and the Government is undertaking a review of financial advice.