Insights - Merit Financial Services

September 2026 · Merit-Morgans Partnership

Built for the World We Are Entering

Five investment themes from our Investment Committee, and what they mean for your portfolio.

Market Update · September 2026 · NEW

Built for the world we are entering

For fifteen years falling interest rates lifted almost every investment. That era has ended, and the way a portfolio is put together now matters more than any single holding in it.

By Jim Mills · 3 min read

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Theme 1 - Conviction 9 out of 10

Energy security: a structural shift, not a trade

Decades of underinvestment met a prolonged conflict in the Middle East. The result is an energy market we expect to stay tight for years, not weeks.

Theme 3 - Conviction 8 out of 10

The biggest capex boom in history

Every AI query consumes power, chips and infrastructure. Rather than guess which AI model wins, we prefer the businesses that supply the build-out.

Theme 5 - Conviction 7 out of 10

Where the earnings are

Global company earnings are forecast to grow 33.1% in 2026. Australia's are forecast at 7.7%. That gap is why client portfolios lean offshore.

Income - Fixed interest selective

Income in a higher-rate world

Traditional bond funds were built for falling rates. In a world of higher rates, floating rate credit pays more as rates rise and gives the portfolio dry powder for opportunities.

Opportunities - Sophisticated investors

Sophisticated investor status: what it opens up

Many of the best priced opportunities, from placements to capital raisings, are offered only to sophisticated investors. Here is how to qualify, what it opens up and what stays exactly the same.

Market Updates

Video Insights from Our Partners

Expert market analysis from our Morgans Partnership team - keeping you informed on the forces shaping your portfolio.

Morgans Partnership · February 2026 · Latest

Investment Strategy: Building Portfolio Resilience

With US and Israel strikes on Iran accelerating Middle East tensions, Will Douglas covers how coordinated strategies across asset classes build resilience. 18-minute deep dive on active management returns, strategic themes in gold, commodities, energy, infrastructure, and capturing benefits of a weakening US dollar.

Morgans Partnership · February 2026

AI Alert: Technology Stocks Under Pressure

Is AI a benefit or detriment to technology businesses? With some tech stocks down over 30%, Will Douglas shares Morgans' 9-minute view on AI uncertainty, stronger business models, and strategic positioning.

Morgans Partnership · February 2026

Gold Update: Silver Spike Triggers Pullback Indicator

Gold stocks up over 100% in 12 months - but a wild run in silver has historically triggered 40%+ pullbacks. Will Douglas shares Morgans' 4-minute view on gold strategy and profit-taking considerations.

Morgans Partnership · February 2026

Gold Update: February Outlook

Morgans Partnerships' latest gold market analysis - positioning, outlook, and strategy considerations for precious metals investors.

Tax Reform · 13 May 2026 · NEW

Budget 2026: The Biggest Tax Shake-Up in a Generation - and What It Actually Means for Your Investments

Now law from 26 June 2026: the 50% CGT discount moves to indexation from 1 July 2027, negative gearing is limited, and SMSF borrowing is now for commercial property only. Family trusts face a proposed 30% minimum tax. Updated September 2026. Here is Merit's plain-English read - and specifically what it means for debt recycling, SMSF property, investment properties, trusts, and companies.

By Sarah Mills & Jim Mills · 10 min read

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Quarterly Investment Update · July 2026 · NEW

The Income Advantage - Q1 FY27 Investment Update

Why a higher-for-longer cash rate has turned the defensive side of the portfolio into a genuine engine of return - and how the Merit-Morgans active management program is positioned for the year ahead. Full FY26 sector scoreboard, active vs benchmark results, and where the Investment Committee is leaning next.

By Jim Mills, Managing Director · 15 min read

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Quarterly Market Update · March 2026 · Archive

Navigating the Permacrisis: Why Active Management Is No Longer Optional

Geopolitical disruption, gold exit signals, energy rotation, and private credit cracks. Our Q1 2026 investment committee review.

Read the Previous Update →

Recent Insights

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Strategy · February 2026

Debt Recycling: How Australians Are Turning Their Home Loan Into Wealth

Learn how debt recycling systematically converts non-deductible mortgage debt into tax-deductible investment debt - and how dividends and franking credits power the strategy.

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Super · February 2026

Buying Property Through Your SMSF: What You Need to Know

Commercial property with an LRBA, residential property through a non-geared unit trust, tax efficiency at 15% and 0%, and the compliance obligations every SMSF trustee must understand.

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Retirement · February 2026

Maximising Your Age Pension: The Work Bonus Most Retirees Don't Know About

The Work Bonus lets pension recipients earn up to $7,800/year from employment without affecting their pension. Here's how to use it - and other strategies to maximise your entitlement.

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Aged Care · February 2026

Navigating Aged Care Costs: A Financial Guide for Families

RAD vs DAP, the family home 2-year rule, means-tested fees, and strategies to preserve your estate while meeting care costs.

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Tax · February 2026

Investment Property: Understanding the Tax Benefits

Negative gearing, depreciation deductions, the CGT changes from 1 July 2027, and the common mistakes that cost property investors thousands.

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Super · February 2026

Super Contributions: The Complete Guide for 2025/26

Concessional and non-concessional caps, carry-forward contributions, salary sacrifice, downsizer contributions, and timing strategies to maximise your super.

Knowledge Is Power

Built for the World We Are Entering

Built for the world we are entering

Energy security: a structural shift, not a trade

The biggest capex boom in history

Where the earnings are

Income in a higher-rate world

Sophisticated investor status: what it opens up

Video Insights from Our Partners

Investment Strategy: Building Portfolio Resilience

AI Alert: Technology Stocks Under Pressure

Gold Update: Silver Spike Triggers Pullback Indicator

Gold Update: February Outlook

Budget 2026: The Biggest Tax Shake-Up in a Generation - and What It Actually Means for Your Investments

The Income Advantage - Q1 FY27 Investment Update

Navigating the Permacrisis: Why Active Management Is No Longer Optional

Recent Insights

Debt Recycling: How Australians Are Turning Their Home Loan Into Wealth

Buying Property Through Your SMSF: What You Need to Know

Maximising Your Age Pension: The Work Bonus Most Retirees Don't Know About

Navigating Aged Care Costs: A Financial Guide for Families

Investment Property: Understanding the Tax Benefits

Super Contributions: The Complete Guide for 2025/26

Video Library & Market Updates

Quarterly Economic Update

Understanding Debt Recycling

SMSF Explained

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