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Here’s what you need to know today

• The price of gold keeps pushing higher. It crossed $3,000 a troy ounce for the first time ever, up more than 36% in the past 12 months, as investors seek a safe-haven from trade wars and the potential return of inflation. In the past 25 years, gold is up 10-times, outpacing the S&P 500. (Mining.com)
  
  

• Apple has announced it is working on a ‘live translation’ feature for its AirPod headphones, that should be released later this year with iOS 19. It would work by your iPhone hearing someone speaking in another language and playing a translation through your AirPods. If you responded, a translated response would then play through your iPhone. (PC Mag)
  
  

• Ukrainian forces have been almost completely pushed out of Kursk, the Russian region Ukrainian forces pushed into in the middle of last year. A months-long Russian counterattack and a Russian special forces operation that involved crawling through natural gas pipelines, has seen Ukrainian forces pushed back and surrounded. (The Guardian)
  
  

• Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has remained open to joining a ‘coalition of the willing’ peacekeeping force in Ukraine after a ceasefire is reached. The Opposition have ruled out sending Australians as part of a peacekeeping force and the Greens have said it would depend on the details of the agreement. (SBS)
  
  

• China’s leaders continue to try and stimulate their slowing domestic economy. The latest stimulus package aimed at boosting domestic consumption includes wage increases, higher pensions, a childcare subsidy system, expanded student financial aid and measures to stabilise the real estate and stock market. (AFR)
  
  

• Last year, Europe and China got into a trade war. This year, the US and Europe are finding themselves in one. European carmaker BMW has said that, together, these trade restrictions could cost it $1 billion in profit. (Quartz)
  
  

• A US Federal Court blocked the Trump Administration from deporting hundreds of gang members to El Salvador under a rarely-used 18th century law. However, the deportations had already started with President Bukele of El Salvador tweeting, “Oopsie… Too late.” (Twitter)
  
  

• The astronauts stranded on the International Space Station will soon be able to come home. Initially scheduled to spend a week in space and then return with a Boeing flight, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have spent 9 months in space after issues with the Boeing Starliner saw it return to Earth without passengers. Now, a SpaceX capsule has docked with the ISS with a replacement crew, and after a two-day handover the astronauts will be able to return home. (ABC)
  
  

• Speaking of SpaceX, Elon Musk said SpaceX’s Starship will depart for Mars in 2026, initially transporting Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot. Musk suggested human landings could begin as early as 2029 to 2031. (BBC)

What the…?

In 2015, then-Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey told Australians if they want to buy a house, then get a good job. The Australia Institute have crunched the numbers to show how, in 2025, even a good job doesn’t get young Australians into a house.

Using a full-time salary that is above 80% of taxpayers, a proxy for Hockey’s ‘good job’, the Australia Institute tracked the journey of someone saving for a deposit in Sydney since 2015. Their conclusion, the rate of house price growth would’ve meant that someone saving for a deposit would not be any closer today even after 9 years of saving. And that is even with a ‘good job’. (The Guardian)

Investing is a lifelong journey

Here’s what you can learn today.

When to consider a Self-Managed Super Fund?

Community Question: When does it make sense to consider an SMSF versus an industry or retail super fund?

We put this question to Alex Luck, Financial Adviser and Director at Everest Wealth

1. You Have a Large Super Balance ($250,000+)

• SMSFs have fixed costs, meaning they become more cost-effective with higher balances.

• The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) suggests $200,000–$250,000 as a rough minimum to justify the setup and ongoing fees.

• To achieve proper diversification though, really $500,000 is a better minimum to work with

2. You Want Greater Control Over Investments

• SMSFs allow direct investment in shares, ETFs, managed funds, bonds, term deposits, and even physical gold.

• They also enable investment in residential and commercial property (including the ability to lease business premises to yourself at market rates).

3. You Want to Borrow to Invest in Property (Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement - LRBA)

• An SMSF is the only type of super fund that allows you to borrow money to purchase property.

• Useful for business owners wanting to buy commercial property through their SMSF and lease it back to their business.

4. You Have a Strong Interest in Managing Your Super

• SMSFs require active management, compliance, and administration, including record-keeping and annual audits.

• If you prefer a "set and forget" approach, a retail or industry super fund may be a better option.

5. You’re in a Business Partnership/Family Group OR are a business owner

• SMSFs can have up to six members, making them useful for families who want to pool superannuation savings.

• This allows strategic investment in larger assets that might not be possible in individual retail super funds.

• Purchasing your own commercial premises in SMSF to run your own business out of can often be a tax affective strategy 

6. You’re Comfortable with Compliance and Regulation

• SMSFs must comply with super laws, tax laws, and Australian Taxation Office (ATO) regulations.

• Annual audits, investment strategy documentation, and legal obligations require time and expertise (or outsourcing to an SMSF accountant).

When an SMSF May NOT Be Suitable

• Super Balance Below $250,000 – Fees will likely outweigh benefits.

• Lack of Time or Interest – SMSFs require active involvement.

• Low Financial or Investment Knowledge – A poorly managed SMSF can underperform compared to a well-diversified retail fund.

• Unwilling to Handle Compliance & Administration – Retail and industry funds take care of these tasks for you.

Interested in speaking to Alex or another of our hand-picked financial advisers? Fill out the form on our website and we’ll put you in touch.

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