Mailbag, incl: Is SpaceX the next Amazon? May 10, 2026

May 9, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The Motley Fool Money mailbag episode features hosts Scott Phillips and Andrew Ram (of Strawman.com) fielding listener questions on practical investing challenges. They cover tax-efficient strategies in underperforming holdings, active stock picking versus indexing, looming capital gains tax changes, and sizing up SpaceX's potential IPO, emphasizing tradeoffs like tax deferral versus opportunity cost and the realities of market-beating returns.

AFIC's DSSP: Tax Deferral Tradeoffs

Listener Brendan, 34 with over $1 million in index funds, defends holding Australian Foundation Investment Company (AFIC) shares despite poor returns to avoid capital gains tax. He highlights AFIC's Dividend Share Substitution Plan (DSSP), which gifts dividends as shares, deferring tax until sale—no immediate income tax, unlike standard dividend reinvestment plans (DRPs) that trigger tax on dividends.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:40) **Intro and Host Banter** - Hosts introduce Mailbag episode and share light-hearted chat on week and markets
2 (02:46) **Brendan's Listener Profile** - 34-year-old listener shares success with $1M+ in index funds while caravanning Australia
3 (05:51) **AFIC DSSP Reinvestment Plan** - Brendan asks about Dividend Share Substitution Plan vs. DRP for tax deferral on AFIC holdings
4 (11:00) **AFIC Selling Decision** - Debate on triggering CGT vs. holding mediocre performer
5 (15:13) **Motley Fool Share Advisor Performance** - Brendan notes portfolio lagging index; questions value of active picks
6 (17:34) **Underperformance Excuses and Context** - Breakdown of market drivers like materials (+49.8%), energy (+40.9%)
7 (23:37) **Investing Philosophy on Volatility** - Underperformance as price of long-term outperformance

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

– What about AFIC’s DSSP?

– Should I buy an ETF and go fishing?

– CGT changes need averaging?

– Is SpaceX the next Amazon?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.