In this episode of Relative Return Insider, host Keith Ford and AMP deputy chief economist Diana Mousina break down the spike in inflation numbers and what it means for the possibility of a rate cut as we move into the new year.

With September quarter inflation data showing trimmed mean rising by 1 per cent, considerably higher than the Reserve Bank of Australia's forecast, a near-term rate cut is unlikely, but that doesn't mean the book should be closed on cuts.

They also explore:

• The US Federal Reserve making the decision to cut rates despite having limited data due to the government shutdown.
• Why the AI boom is based on solid foundations even as it shows signs of frothiness.
• The argument for a rate cut to back the labour market.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, MLC Expand CEO Liz McCarthy and Shadforth Financial Group CEO Terry Dillon join host Keith Ford to discuss the transformative role of AI in financial advice and how AI tools are being implemented to drive efficiency.

With advice firms looking for greater automation of routine administrative tasks, AI is set to reshape the advice profession's approach to client service and business growth.

Tune in to hear:

• How MLC Expand and Shadforth are responding to the need for greater efficiency through AI tools.
• Why rigorous governance and privacy protocols to ensure data security and accuracy are so vital.
• The crucial role of AI in expanding client service capacity, improving financial literacy, and addressing the broader advice gap in the market.

After nearly two decades, the SMSF lending market has matured into a stable and well-regulated segment – yet complexity and misconceptions persist. Bluestone Home Loans head of specialised distribution, Richard Chesworth, joins host Keith Ford to break down the nuances of limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs).

From redrawing for property repairs to understanding offset structures and pre-2018 grandfathering rules, Chesworth highlights that success in SMSF lending depends as much on precision and teamwork as it does on opportunity.

Listen as they discuss:

• How advisers can work through the complexity that still exists in SMSF borrowing.
• What technical traps remain and how redraws, offsets, and refinancing can trigger compliance risks.
• The importance of collaborating closely with lenders and prioritising expertise and structure over rate alone.