FinaMetrica wins risk profiling award at WealthBriefing Swiss Awards
FinaMetrica has won the ‘Best Risk Profiling Solution’ award at the 2nd WealthBriefing Swiss Awards. One of just two firm to be shortlisted in the Risk Profiling category, the triumph is yet another milestone in FinaMetrica’s drive to be recognised as the pre-eminent global player in the risk profiling space. Showcasing ‘best of breed’
April 01, 2015
Lonsec launches game-changer tools for advisers
Leading research house Lonsec today launched a new series of financial product ratings tools called BIOmetrics, which will allow financial advisers to better select and manage financial products to suit consumers’ individual investment needs. The tools are the next step in Lonsec’s Better Investment Outcomes (BIO) program, which responds to the industry and government’s push
April 01, 2015
LICs are a good balance of performance, protection for SMSFs: Perennial
The current financial climate of low interest rates makes investing in listed investment companies (LICs) particularly appealing to self-managed super funds and other self-directed investors, says John Murray, managing director, Perennial Investment Partners. He refers to the downward pressure of low cash and term deposit rates, combined with the volatile nature of the global share
April 01, 2015
Less jargon and the answers to six questions can help to demystify managed accounts
Financial planning practices must answer six big questions before they can accurately say whether managed accounts make sense, the founder and principal of T&C Consulting, Tony McDonald, says. McDonald says the managed accounts sector is riddled with jargon, and a first step to getting a clearer picture is to cut though the conflicting and confusing
April 01, 2015
Shortlist revealed for Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards chief investment officer of the Year
The shortlist for the chief investment officer of the year has been released in advance of the Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards at the Ivy Ballroom, Sydney on May 20. The shortlist for the top four large funds, top four medium-sized funds and the top four small funds, best MySuper defaults, the best member engaged services,
April 01, 2015
Save more cash, invest in property and contribute to super: MLC Wealth Sentiment Survey
Australians under 30 have listed setting aside more cash, investing in property and increasing super contributions as the three most important factors to consider when thinking about their retirement funding, according to the latest MLC Quarterly Wealth Sentiment Survey. In a sign that shows a growing awareness about the importance of planning for retirement, 52%
March 31, 2015
Principal Global Opportunities Equity Fund upgraded to ‘Recommended’ by Lonsec
Principal Global Investors (PGI) today announced that its Global Opportunities Equity Fund (the Fund) has been upgraded to ‘Recommended’ by leading investment research house, Lonsec. Grant Forster, CEO of Principal Global Investors Australia, said that the Fund’s upgraded rating highlighted the effective blend of qualitative and quantitative processes in the Fund’s strategy and the portfolio
March 31, 2015
Disruptive innovation: Lower cost outperformance
In The Innovator’s Dilemma, Harvard Business School’s Professor Clayton Christensen introduced the concept of disruptive innovation. “Products based on disruptive technologies are typically cheaper, simpler, smaller and frequently more convenient to use.” Welcome to smart beta. Smart beta is getting considerable coverage in financial press but there are some misunderstandings about what smart beta is.
March 30, 2015
FIIG Securities launches pioneering online bond ordering service
Fixed income broker FIIG Securities has launched an Australian-first online ordering system for corporate bonds which makes buying and selling bonds in the over-the-counter market as simple as updating an online shopping cart. Clients and financial advisers can use the system to browse a range of bonds, access FIIG research on each bond, and place
March 30, 2015
Why financial planning licensees who don’t support raising education standards hurt the profession
In the third and final part of a series focusing on notable Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), Randall Stout reflects on the support he received to complete his CFP studies, and the obligation that licensees have to nurture the development of a profession. Randall Stout is incredulous: “A listed company making $8 to $10 billion profit
March 30, 2015
Murray inquiry struggles with some complexities of retirement income
Financial planning for individuals entering retirement is not adequately incentivised in Australia or internationally, according to John Piggott, professor of economics, University of New South Wales (UNSW). He is also director of the Australian Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research. “No country requires or provides incentives for default advice. And yet surely as you
March 30, 2015
