Our examination of the true cost of owning a home in Australia topped our coverage last week, alongside a list of a dozen shares tipped to withstand a downturn, and Berkshire Hathaway's entry into the Morningstar Global Best Ideas list.

The real cost of home ownership in Australia

Is buying a house and paying off the mortgage still the best way to build wealth? We run the numbers. 

Deyfing the downturn: a dozen companies to watch

Indicators may be pointing to a global slowdown but companies that are well managed and export-focused could continue to be profitable and deliver good earnings growth. 

Buffett's Berkshire forges place in best ideas list

Investors in Berkshire Hathaway have nothing to fear from the eventual exit of Warren Buffet as the famed holding company has buckets of cash and capital allocation nous, says Morningstar. 

Federal budget tipped to deliver super sweeteners

Josh Frydenberg's first and possibly last budget, and one that the coalition is pinning its thin election hopes on, may include several sweeteners for superannuation members, says an SMSF services provider. 

Head to head: index funds versus index ETFs

The design of the two products means investors should be aware of the differences between them when it comes to trading, dividends and cost. 

Bonds in vogue for income and defence

More money is flowing into fixed-income ETFs as Australian investors seek defensive positions and brace for a slowing economy under a potential Labor government and its plans to axe cash refunds for franking credits. 

Looking at Australian fixed income through a global lens

The performance drivers of Australian fixed income market performance, including its corporate credit sector, are more international than many investors think. 

Investing basics: what's so 'smart' about smart-beta ETFs

Where does the 'smart' in 'Smart Beta' come from? And how does it fit in your portfolio? 

3 award-winning small-cap funds

Morningstar analysts run the rule over three of the top performing small-cap funds and their process for identifying value opportunities. 

Jury out on gold rally despite slowdown fears

Gold stocks have rallied in recent times driven by safe haven buying from investors who fear a global economic slowdown. However, analysts are mixed on whether gold stocks’ gains can be sustained through 2019. 

Â