Why you should review your SMSF clients’ existing borrowing arrangements
In recent months, there have been a number of developments relating to self-managed super fund (SMSF) limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs). For SMSF clients contemplating entering into any type of LRBA in the foreseeable future, the recommendations of the Financial System Inquiry panel (FSI) may influence current planning because, although not government policy, the recommendations may lead to new legal restrictions on LRBAs during the course
March 18, 2015
Can the music keep playing, or is the party over for Wall Street?
Over a five-year period, the US stock market has left its rivals trailing, as investors have celebrated recovery from the financial crisis. Zoom in to the period since the start of the year, however, and the S&P 500 is bringing up the rear. By contrast, Europe’s stock markets are climbing as the combination of cheap
March 18, 2015
Plan For Life: $25 billion growth in retail managed funds during December quarter 2014
Retail Managed Funds ended 2014 on a positive note, up another 3.7% during the December quarter. Overall the 2014 calendar year was one of solid consolidation with total funds under management increasing by 8.8% to $702.3bn. This growth was in large part as a result of buoyant, if at times understandably somewhat nervous and wobbly,
March 17, 2015
Hyperion: Focus on earnings best predictor of success in Aussie equities
“Results from this reporting season reveal that the best Australian companies have a competitive advantage and grow their businesses on the back of sustainable earnings rather than debt. Weaker ones lack pricing power and are unable to guarantee a predictable earnings stream.” These are the comments of Mark Arnold, Chief Investment Officer at Hyperion Asset
March 17, 2015
Continued volatility expected for Australian sharemarket this year: SSGA
According to SSGA’s head of active quantitative equity in Asia Pacific, Olivia Engel, the Australian sharemarket’s current bout of volatility after a strong two-month rally is not unexpected and likely to be the first in a series of market spikes this year. “At the end of last year we set an expectation for 2015 of
March 17, 2015
Assets in ETFs/ETPs listed in Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) reached a new record high of $US118 billion
Assets invested in ETFs/ETPs listed in Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) reached a new record high of US$118 billion at the end of February 2015, according to ETFGI’s monthly ETF and ETP global insight report for February. The Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) ETF/ETP industry had 609 ETFs/ETPs, with 744 listings, assets of US$118 Bn, from 108 providers listed
March 17, 2015
Third annual 2015 Australian Financial Protection Index released
The third annual TAL Australian Financial Protection Index has just been released, showing a generational shift in appetite for life and related insurance to Generation Y and away from Baby Boomers together with a rise in singles taking up coverage. Overall, the 2015 national index score remained relatively steady from last year, dropping slightly from
March 17, 2015
Australian Unity’s Altius Sustainable Bond Fund included on Emerald Wrap
Emerald Wrap, which offers an ethical platform for Responsible investing (RI), has extended its investment offering in the fixed interest space by adding the Australian Unity’s Altius Sustainable Bond Fund. Altius’ investment strategy uses high conviction and high quality trades to exploit the mispricing of bonds at all stages of the economic cycle. An ethical
March 17, 2015
New onshore bond index series strengthens FTSE’s offering in China
FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets has underlined its leading position tracking Chinese bond markets, following the launch of the FTSE China Onshore Bond Index Series. The new suite of benchmarks provides a tool for international investors seeking access to the world’s third largest onshore bond market. The series marks another milestone in the region,
March 16, 2015
Transformation of PIMCOs’ Global Wealth Management business in Australia
PIMCO, a leading global investment management firm, has today announced its plans to internalise the distribution of PIMCO funds in Australia. Equity Trustees will transfer distribution responsibilities of the PIMCO funds to PIMCO over the coming months, marking the start of a complete transformation of PIMCO’s Global Wealth Management distribution strategy in Australia. Equity Trustees
March 16, 2015
Cerulli Associates finds managed accounts largely resistant to fee compression
New research from global analytics firm Cerulli Associates finds that managed account programs are largely resistant to fee compression. “Within the managed accounts practice at Cerulli, the questions most frequently asked by our clients relate to fees,” explains Tom O’Shea, associate director at Cerulli. “Since 2008, there has been very little price change in the
March 16, 2015
How a ‘big commitment’ to the highest education standard paid off for top CFP student
In the first part of a three-part series focusing on notable Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), Erin Shields explains why a commitment to education, higher professional standards and personal development are an integral part of the way she approaches her job. When Erin Shields received a phone call from the Financial Planning Association regarding her Certified
March 16, 2015
