Defence stocks explained: ETFs, cyclical risks, and ethical investing | Friends With Money

In this week's Friends With Money, editor-in-chief Michelle Baltazar speaks with Alex Jamieson of Jamieson Private Wealth about why defence shares have rallied amid widening Middle East conflict, disrupted shipping lanes, and higher oil prices.

Jamieson explains how “defence” now spans drones, robotics, AI, cybersecurity, and software, and argues rising geopolitical risk and NATO catch-up spending make it a longer-term structural theme, though stocks can be cyclical and require active rebalancing and profit-taking.

01:30 What counts as defence stocks

02:22 Why defence stocks are rallying

04:02 Do you already have exposure

05:46 Cyclical stocks and profit-taking

07:49 Fear trade or structural trend?

09:58 Defence ETFs to consider

11:53 Stock spotlight: DroneShield

13:21 Ethics of defence investing

Podcast Links:

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Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au

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Third-Party Marketplaces on Woolworths, Big W, Kmart & Bunnings: What Australian Shoppers Need to Know

In this Friends With Money Podcast episode, Money Magazine managing editor Vanessa Walker speaks with journalist Ryan Johnson about the rise of third-party marketplaces and why Australians are often confused when trusted retailers like Woolworths, BigW, Bunnings, Kmart and others sell items supplied by third-party sellers.

They discuss how widespread online shopping is in Australia, how marketplaces benefit retailers through rapid range expansion without holding inventory, and what consumers gain—and risk—through wider product choice.

Ryan shares an example of a BigW marketplace return dispute and outlines common issues such as inconsistent delivery, extra fees, and return complications, plus concerns about lower-quality or unsafe products.

They also explain that Australian Consumer Law guarantees still apply, but shoppers should check who the seller is and escalate unresolved disputes to fair trading agencies or the ACCC.

01:20 How many Australians shop online

02:01 Why shoppers get confused

04:34 Why retailers love it

05:31 Consumer upsides and tradeoffs

06:17 Hidden traps and returns

08:01 Safety and trust risks

09:00 Your rights under ACL

10:04 How to protect yourself

Podcast Links:

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Listen on Spotify

Money Website

YouTube Podcast Playlist

Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au

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Debt recycling explained: how Australians turn home equity into investments

In this Friends With Money episode from Money magazine, host Ryan Johnson chats with mortgage broker Joseph Daoud (It’s Simple Finance) to unpack debt recycling in plain English. They explain how splitting your home loan or using a line of credit lets you access equity to invest in property, shares or a business, with potential tax benefits from deductible interest and investment expenses. They work through a $1 million home example, outline who this suits (often higher-income earners and many self-employed borrowers), and step through setup essentials: pick the right lender and structure (often interest-only), team up with a good broker and accountant, and keep the investment purpose clear. They also flag the big risks—bad advice, risky assets, rising rates, thin buffers—and why retirees or lower-income earners can be overexposed without a solid exit plan.

Timestamps

00:00 What debt recycling is

01:09 How the structure works

02:38 Who it suits

04:33 Goals and tax benefits

05:35 A real case study

08:02 Setting up the loan split

11:23 Choosing investments

12:13 Risks and rate rises

16:38 Which pros to call

17:34 Who should avoid it

20:43 Three rules and wrap

Podcast Links:

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Money Website

YouTube Podcast Playlist

Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au

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