Competitive research industry needed for sector to thrive
Enhanced research is vital for protecting investors and advisers, but limiting the sector to researchers that are both raters and managers creates inherent tensions, writes SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher. Instead, smaller players with specialty niches who have a role to play in our industry should be acknowledged.
December 01, 2025
Managed account clients ‘getting what they’re promised’: IMAP
The Institute of Managed Account Professionals says managed accounts have largely delivered on client goals and haven’t suffered a major collapse or scandal. The comments come in response to revelations by Professional Planner that ASIC has requested information about any sales and revenue targets, inducements and benefits to offer SMAs to retail clients from providers and licensees.
November 28, 2025
First Guardian director may lose lawyer due to unpaid bills
One of the directors of the First Guardian Master Fund, Simon Selimaj, is at risk of losing his legal representation due to his inability to pay legal fees, and is seeking to sell assets. Receivers have also sought to gain his passport to help determine which countries he has visited which may help identify foreign accounts.
November 28, 2025
ASIC kicks off probe into SMA conflicts of interest
The corporate regulator has issued ‘please explain’ notices to licensees and separately managed account (SMA) providers demanding information about any sales and revenue targets, inducements and benefits to offer SMAs to retail clients. The probe follows the revelation of its long-held concerns about conflicts of interest in the booming managed accounts sector and comes on the eve of the Professional Planner Researcher Forum.
November 28, 2025
Morningstar scrutinising private credit distribution
Morningstar will scrutinise how private credit funds are marketed and distributed as part of its rating methodology into the controversial sector, with “misaligned incentives” being one of the key red flags.
November 27, 2025
Former JBWere CEO to replace Judith Fox as head of stockbrokers association
Former JBWere chief executive Maria Lykouras has been appointed as the new CEO of the Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association, replacing Judith Fox, who announced her departure earlier in the year.
November 27, 2025
The Emperor’s New Clothes and seeing the value beyond momentum in Australian Equities
Index investing and momentum are driving up valuations and creating an illusion of strength while ignoring the uncomfortable truth that earnings fundamentals for many popular, crowded stocks no longer support the prices, writes ClearBridge Investments head of Australian equities.
November 27, 2025
Passive flows reshape ASX, reviving case for stockpickers
Low-cost market cap weighted indices have delivered for investors in recent years, but the wall of passive money may finally be swinging the pendulum back towards an active approach.
November 26, 2025
Mandating super for nation-building risks flight to SMSFs: Pearce
Directing super funds to invest in nation-building projects could see money flow from the APRA-regulated system and into SMSFs, according to UniSuper CIO John Pearce, who also suggested that super funds were hitting portfolio limits for unlisted assets.
November 26, 2025
InterPrac disputes it had prior warning of ASIC notice
The ASX-listed owner of InterPrac Financial Planning, Sequoia Financial Group, has told the exchange it had no prior knowledge of ASIC’s action after concerns were raised that the company didn’t notify the market fast enough.
November 25, 2025
