In this week’s episode of Relative Return Insider, AMP chief economist Shane Oliver joins the show to explore the major global and domestic forces shaping investment markets in 2025, from ongoing geopolitical tensions and the NATO summit to US President Donald Trump’s trade policy and the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Conflict in the Middle East has had little impact on markets, with much of the focus settling on potential disruptions to oil production that have so far not eventuated. Oliver explains what the flow-on effects of stronger defence spending commitments from NATO nations could be, as well as what to expect from tax policy changes in the US.

Tune in to hear:

• Why section 899 of the One Big Beautiful Bill is causing consternation.
• Whether the better-than-expected inflation data has put another rate cut on the cards.
• How the softer US dollar could impact investment.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Nicole Gardner, founder and financial adviser at Stellar Wealth, to explore how clients react to times of turmoil and whether global events should change investment plans or even their ethical considerations.

As tensions in the Middle East continue to simmer in a very public manner, Gardner explains that clients are now left considering how they feel about the potential of profiting from conflict against their desire for higher investment returns.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why the markets aren’t really reacting to the Israel–Iran conflict.
• How a reliance on passive investing can limit advisers’ flexibility during market upheaval.
• The possible opportunities in volatility.

With just two weeks remaining until the financial year wraps up, getting an SMSF ready for tax time involves ensuring there is a smooth audit process.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by well-known industry auditor Deanne Firth, director of Tactical Super.

Firth offers some valuable insights and timely reminders for SMSF trustees and auditors to prioritise compliance and leverage available resources to streamline their processes.

Listen as they discuss:

• Obtaining the necessary evidence for valuations, especially concerning private and unlisted companies.
• The timing of audits and the importance of proactive engagement with clients.
• The challenges with valuing unlisted assets, particularly private companies with unique business models.
• The complexities of SMSFs investing in start-up ventures.
• Loans within SMSFs.
• Technology and AI in the SMSF sector.

In this week’s episode of Relative Return Insider, Professor Robert Brooks of Monash Business School joins the show to unpack the economic and market implications of rising tensions between Israel and Iran.

Against a backdrop of military strikes and disrupted supply chains, Professor Brooks explains how the oil and gas markets have responded, why prices have surged, and the role the Strait of Hormuz could play if tensions intensify.

Tune in to hear:

• Why the crisis has created both short-term supply disruption and long-term risk premium in oil and gas markets.
• How the RBA and other central banks will determine if headline price shocks could spill into core inflation.
• Why financial markets have remained relatively subdued despite the conflict.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Natallia Smith, the director and principal financial adviser of TruWealth Advice, to explore how ethics have shaped her firm at a foundational level and the benefits of self-licensing in giving her control to make business decisions grounded in ethical practices.

Touching on a hot topic for the profession, Smith shares her views on advice charging models, explaining why she believes fixed dollar-based fees are more ethical than asset-based fees.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why the separation of product and service is so important in financial advice.
• The need for more female representation within the profession.
• How ethics impacted her decision to develop a niche client base.

In this week’s episode of Relative Return Insider, hosts Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and Keith Ford discuss a busy week of announcements from ASIC, with submissions to its public and private markets paper made (mostly) public.

The corporate regulator also held an event to break down its takeaways from the consultation, highlighting the need for greater transparency from market participants, while using another briefing to put super fund trustees on notice over complaint failings.

Tune in to hear:

• What industry players had to say about ASIC’s reports.
• How super funds need to respond to the regulator’s warning shots.
• What impact the Pentagon’s review of AUKUS is set to have on defence investment.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by ifa journalist Shy-ann Arkinstall to discuss new Financial Services Minister Daniel Mulino’s initial meetings with industry associations, including the Financial Advice Association Australia, the Association of Independently Owned Financial Professionals and the SMSF Association, and what the outcomes of these say about the future of the profession.

As the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes (DBFO) reforms remain top of mind for advisers, they take a look at the Financial Services Council’s submission on the legislation, digging into the ongoing concerns regarding the so-called new class of adviser and the uncertainty that has come with only receiving half of the next round of reforms.

Listen as they discuss:

• The soon-to-be-released Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) Treasury review.
• How different variations of Division 296 could impact Australians’ superannuation savings.
• What advisers might expect to see over the next few months.

As the end of the financial year approaches, SMSF professionals are gearing up to navigate the complexities of superannuation contributions and tax planning. In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, industry stalwart Liam Shorte, director of Sonas Wealth, explains the essential areas that advisers and accountants should address in the next three weeks to optimise super strategies for their clients.

Managing clients’ total super balance (TSB) effectively is right at the top of the list, with Shorte explaining the importance of having accurate information and why it’s not always a good idea to maximise unused contribution caps if there are any uncertainties around the exact figures.

Listen as they discuss:

• How to access accurate superannuation data through the ATO.
• How to ensure that 2024 financials are reported promptly.
• Contribution strategies for different age cohorts and how they can benefit future planning.
• The increasing problem of debt for those approaching 60.
• Extension of tax planning to age 75.