In this episode of Pizz-Spectives, Rob Pizzichetta (Founder of Mont Wealth) sits down with three leading property experts to unpack what’s really happening across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula:

Jane Skinner – Sales Consultant & Auctioneer, Walshe and Whitelock (Brunswick & Inner North) [email protected]

John Morello – Director & Chief Auctioneer, Jellis Craig (Inner North West Melbourne) [email protected]

Adam Vocale – Director, Vocale Property Group (Mornington Peninsula) [email protected]

Since our last discussion in August 2025, the landscape has shifted:

The Reserve Bank of Australia surprised markets with a February rate hike.

Melbourne listings are up nearly 10% year-on-year.

Investors are exiting amid compliance pressures and land tax burdens.

Proposed changes to the CGT discount (50% → 25%) are stirring debate.

National prices rose 9.4% but Melbourne lagged at 5.4%.

So what does it all mean?

We unpack:

The 70–80% dominance of owner-occupiers over investors

Where yields actually stack up in Brunswick and Moonee Valley

Why the Peninsula is in a “holding pattern” but may offer long-term value

Whether CGT reform will genuinely impact prices (or just sentiment)

Why a 10-year lens may reveal opportunity where others see risk

From $800k townhouses in the inner north to $1.5m beach homes generating $140k in short-stay income, this episode explores the micro-drivers shaping Victoria’s property market in 2026.

If you're a buyer, investor, upgrader or simply property curious this is essential listening.

** General Advice Only **

Rob Pizzichetta, founder of Mont Wealth, discusses how growing superannuation can help people in their 40s and 50s who feel squeezed by inflation, rising costs, and limited surplus cash flow. He outlines a changing post‑2020 economic landscape (higher inflation, higher rates for longer, slower growth, higher debt, reshoring, and more expensive energy) and argues asset allocation must evolve, describing Mont Wealth’s portfolio objectives, multi‑asset approach, and positioning across growth assets, real assets, alternatives, bonds, and floating rate credit. He then explains key super contribution rules and caps (concessional $30,000, non‑concessional $120,000, bring‑forward $360,000, carry‑forward for balances under $500,000, and downsizer contributions with conditions) and highlights the “misunderstood” benefit of super: indexation of the transfer balance cap and its impact on future tax‑free account‑based pension income. Using the $2.1m transfer balance cap (from July 2026) and a 5% income rule of thumb, he shows how indexation at 2.5%–3% over 20 years could increase the future tax‑free pension balance and potentially support about $150,000 per person (and $300,000 per couple) in tax‑free retirement income. He also notes indexation implications for the proposed $3m balance tax on unrealised gains, and concludes by encouraging maximising returns and contributions where possible, while reiterating the general advice disclaimer.

00:00 Welcome + What This Episode Covers: The Superannuation Growth ‘Misunderstood Benefit’

00:13 General Advice Disclaimer + How to Get Help

00:37 The ‘Financial Treadmill’: Cost of Living, Inflation, and No Surplus Cash Flow

01:34 Changing Markets: Risk/Reward, AI Hype, and Volatility

02:24 From 1980–2020 Tailwinds to Today’s Inflation Regime (Higher for Longer)

04:47 How Mont Wealth Positions Portfolios: Multi-Asset, Inflation Protection, Bonds

06:43 Super Contribution Rules & Caps (Concessional, Non-Concessional, Carry-Forward, Downsizer)

08:15 The Key Concept: Transfer Balance Cap + Indexation = More Tax-Free Income

08:53 Worked Example: Inflation-Indexed Cap → $150k p.a. Tax-Free (and $300k as a Couple)

09:53 Extra Angle: $3m Tax Proposal, Realised Gains, and Why Bigger Balances Matter

11:47 Drawdown Scenarios: How Your Balance Can Hold Up (or Grow) in Retirement

12:26 Wrap-Up: Maximise Returns, Contributions, and Get Personal Advice

Why Australians Are Leaving Industry Super Funds

In this episode of Pizz- Spectives, Rob Pizzichetta, founder of Mont Wealth, discusses the significant shift in Australian financial services as members leave large industry super funds for advice platforms, retail solutions, and SMSFs. Discover the underlying reasons for this migration, its scale, and the implications for retirement planning. Learn about the importance of personalized financial advice in managing larger balances and longer retirements, and why advice demand is surging as the superannuation system matures. Rob dives into the complexities of retirement risk management, income sustainability, and strategic asset allocation, making it clear that retirement planning is a different discipline compared to accumulation.

00:00 Introduction to the Shift in Australian Financial Services

01:12 The Scale of Movement in Super Funds

02:29 Demographic Changes and Their Impact

03:10 The Difference Between Accumulation and Retirement

04:57 The Growing Demand for Financial Advice

06:25 The Importance of Personalized Retirement Strategies

08:23 Conclusion: Preparing for a Secure Retirement

In this insightful episode of Pizz-Spectives, Rob Pizzichetta, founder of Mont Wealth, teams up with Anthony Doyle, Chief Investment Strategist at Pinnacle Investment, to delve into the evolving landscape of global investment and financial planning. With 24 years of experience across major financial centers, Anthony shares deep expertise on economic growth, inflation trends, government fiscal policies, and liquidity, offering valuable financial advice to help listeners align their wealth goals with the changing market environment.

Together, they explore how emerging trends such as AI’s impact on inflation and the rise of global populism are reshaping investment strategies and asset allocation decisions for the next decade. This episode is essential for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of wealth management and optimize their portfolio to meet long-term financial objectives in a rapidly shifting economic environment.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:22 Anthony Doyle's Career Journey

05:30 Global Economic Overview

12:51 Inflation and Monetary Policy

19:27 Government Spending and Fiscal Policy

31:51 Liquidity and Market Positioning

36:27 Investment Strategies and Asset Allocation

43:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Pizz-Spectives, Rob Pizzichetta, Founder of Mont Wealth, is joined by Reece Birtles, Head of Australian Equities at ClearBridge Investments, to unpack why Australian equities are entering a powerful opportunity set in 2026.

The discussion revisits last year’s call on valuation dispersion between growth and value, reviews ClearBridge’s strong relative performance, and explores what has played out as expected—and what has surprised. Reece shares insights on earnings breadth, bank valuations, resource sector dynamics, and why active management is increasingly critical in a concentrated market.

The conversation also covers dividend sustainability, AI’s real-economy impact, risks around geopolitics and policy, and where ClearBridge sees its highest-conviction opportunities for the next 12 months.

This episode is essential viewing for investors seeking double-digit return potential through active Australian equity management.

General advice only. Seek personal financial advice before acting.

https://www.clearbridgeinvestments.com.au/investment-strategies/australian-equity-strategies/australian-equity-income/australian-equity-income-strategy/

In this episode of the Pizz-Spectives Podcast, host Rob Pizzichetta, founder of Mont Wealth, is joined by the investment committee members Jay Kumar from Foresight Analytics and Vessela Tasker from Greenwood and Co. The discussion covers an extensive review of Mont Wealth's portfolio performances, which have surpassed objectives over the last year. They delve into the anticipated economic and market conditions for 2026, discussing everything from interest rate cuts by the Fed to geopolitical risks and the global financial environment. The episode explores the potential impacts of AI on the markets, emerging market growth, and strategic asset allocation. The committee also highlights the importance of active management in light of the coming year’s economic divergence, and their plans to navigate the complexities of global investment landscapes. Don’t miss the insightful analysis and future outlooks on strategic asset management.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimers

00:46 Performance Summary and Market Overview

01:54 Global Economic Insights

05:58 Investment Strategies and Portfolio Positioning

15:27 Key Risks and Future Outlook

17:11 Closing Remarks and Thank Yous

In this episode of Pizz-Spectives, Rob Pizzichetta, founder of Mont Wealth, chats with Phil Strano, Head of Credit Research and Portfolio Manager at Yarra Capital. They discuss market outlooks for 2026, Yarra Capital's fixed income strategies, and general investment advice. Key topics include growth resumption, interest rate predictions, the impact of AI and technological investment on markets, and credit allocation strategies. Phil emphasizes the importance of forward-looking investment and managing risk appropriately. Don't miss this in-depth discussion on navigating the economic landscape and the nuanced strategies behind Yarra Capital's higher income fund.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:56 General Advice Disclaimer

01:09 Overview of Yarra Capital and Fixed Income Team

02:10 Macro Economic Outlook

02:52 Monetary Policy and Interest Rates

04:02 Impact of Global Markets on Australia

06:35 Investment Strategies and AI

08:36 Credit Ratings and Risk Management

10:34 Current Investment Opportunities

16:51 Concerns and Risks in the Market

19:26 Fund Performance and Volatility

21:01 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

21:19 Legal Disclaimers and Notices

00:00 Market Insights with Phil Strano: 2026 Economic Outlook and Fixed Income Strategies

Northcape’s #1 Place To Invest In Emerging Markets And The Process Behind It

In this episode of Pizz-Spectives, host Rob Pizzichetta, founder of Mont Wealth, delves deep into the realm of emerging markets with Patrick Russell, Portfolio Manager at Northcape Capital. They discuss Northcape's history, investment philosophy, and the allure of emerging markets. Patrick shares his personal journey and passion for emerging markets, the importance of sovereign risk assessment, and the criteria for selecting top companies. The conversation also covers current market dynamics, industry consolidations, and tailwinds for the future. If you’re interested in understanding emerging markets through the lens of seasoned experts, this episode is a must-watch!

00:00 Introduction and General Advice Disclaimer

00:35 Northcape Capital: Background and Philosophy

02:09 Patrick Russell's Journey into Emerging Markets

05:07 Understanding Emerging Markets and Sovereign Risk

08:40 Investment Strategies and Valuation in Emerging Markets

17:21 Industry Consolidation and Market Opportunities

29:13 Preferred Sovereigns and Future Outlook

34:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join Rob Pizzichetta, founder of Mont Wealth, in this edition of Pizz-Spectives as he discusses the Australian small cap market with Phillip Hudak, co-portfolio manager at Maple Brown Abbott. They touch on economic cycles, global influences, market trends, and the evolving landscape of small cap investments. Key topics include the impacts of interest rate changes, geopolitical shifts, and fiscal dynamics on small caps, as well as strategies for finding growth opportunities in this sector. Learn about Maple Brown Abbott's investment philosophy and their optimistic outlook for the future of Australian small caps.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

00:44 Current Economic and Financial Cycle

01:22 Impact of Global Changes on Markets

04:32 Australian Small Caps Performance

09:40 Investment Strategies and Opportunities

14:48 Outlook for Small Caps and Fund Strategy

27:59 Conclusion and Contact Information

Rob Pizzichetta | BBus MFinPlan

Founder | Chair Investment Committee | Wealth Advisor

Mobile: 0419 514 278

Email: [email protected]

Authorised Representative: 1267301

Mont Wealth Advisors Pty Ltd

Address: Level 22, 8 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 3001

Website: www.montwealth.com.au