Why the world’s most profitable beer company should be part of an Australian investor’s portfolio
Beer companies were a core part of an Australian investor’s portfolio because of the high levels of profitability, strong cash flow generations and rising dividends. With both Lion Nathan and Fosters Group taken over by overseas companies this has left a void in most Australian portfolios. Insync Funds Management invests in companies that complement Australian
June 17, 2015
Life companies also need to lift their game amid the risk industry shakeup
Australia’s life insurers need to improve their efficiency and become more agile in delivering the products advisers and their clients need, says Philip Kewin, general manager – retail of Zurich Life and Investments. “We have to become more efficient in delivering the product to market, so we make the most of all the technology delivered
June 16, 2015
How consumers really behave will shape the next phase of superannuation regulation
It was really the post-war boom in consumer markets that led to independent consumer-funded organisations such as CHOICE springing up around the world. The first CHOICE magazine was published in 1960, and CHOICE today remains consumer-funded. The whole purpose of CHOICE is to give consumers better information so that they can make better decisions in
June 16, 2015
Advisers rethink investment options as scrutiny of the cost of delivering advice ramps up
Increased scrutiny of the cost of delivering advice is encouraging more financial planners to explore low-cost investment implementation options, in a bid to retain a greater slice of the overall margin. Tim Bradbury, head of client coverage for MSCI in Australia, says there is evidence of this in the continued strong net new asset growth
June 16, 2015
New small cap dividend ETF wins support
Van Eck Global is pleased to announce that the Market Vectors Small Cap Dividend Payers ETF (ASX code: MVS) has jumped to more than $25m in its first few days of trading following buying for their managed accounts by the specialist ETF strategist Implemented Portfolios. Launched on 28 May 2015, MVS is the first ETF
June 16, 2015
AMG study shows boutique investment managers have demonstrated 20-year outperformance
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (NYSE: AMG) has released “The Boutique Premium,” a comprehensive study evaluating the performance of boutique investment management firms. The analysis incorporated data from more than 1,200 investment management firms and nearly 5,000 institutional equity strategies comprising approximately $7 trillion in assets under management. The study found that active boutique investment managers have
June 16, 2015
Fortnum Financial Group has approved Colonial First State’s award-winning FirstWrap platform
Fortnum chose FirstWrap on the strength of its market-leading model portfolio functionality and Colonial First State’s strong commitment to non-aligned financial advice businesses. Ray Miles, Fortnum Financial Group Executive Chairman, said: “Colonial First State understands that Fortnum values being owned by its staff and advisers, as well as innovation and collaboration. As a result, we
June 15, 2015
Addressing the age-old issue of utility, and articulating how advice changes people’s lives
The value of Australian financial services licensees will be assessed by how well they help advisers to empower clients to make better financial decisions, and whether clients understand how financial advice has changed their lives. The Professional Planner Dealer Group Summit, held on June 1 and 2, heard that the value added in any service
June 15, 2015
Crime doesn’t pay: How a poor decision today could prohibit an SMSF trustee for life
Certain events can disqualify a person from being allowed to have a self-managed super fund (SMSF). One such event is conviction of an offence in respect of dishonest conduct (see section 120(1)(a)(i) of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (SISA)). However, it is possible to have a disqualified status waived under section 126D of
June 15, 2015
Umbrellas, insurance bonds and Money Shows: the loss of a pioneer recalls the foundations of a great industry
Somewhere in the deluge of emails in the past few weeks, I missed one on May 27 that came from Phil Anderson, Challenger’s business development manager in NSW and ACT. I wish I’d found it earlier. Anderson’s message carried news of the death earlier this year of David Stubbington. The Rt Hon David G Stubbington,
June 15, 2015
ANZ ETFS lists six ETFs on ASX
Six new exchange traded funds (ETFs) launched by ANZ ETFS, the new joint venture between Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (‘ANZ’) and ETF Securities, will begin trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) this morning. The listings represent the first time one of Australia’s big four banks has entered the rapidly expanding domestic ETF
June 12, 2015
Discontent with licensees has financial planning practices lining up at Countplus’s door
Barry Lambert’s listed wealth management business Countplus is in discussions with more than 20 high-quality financial planning practices about Countplus subsidiary Advice389 taking an equity stake in the businesses. Discontent with existing licensees is a major factor in financial planning firms entering discussions, says Advice389 chief executive officer Pierre Kraft. He says the Advice389 offer
June 11, 2015
