What lies ahead for the self-managed super fund sector in 2015
Overall, 2014 was a good year for self managed super funds (SMSFs). Aside from the introduction of new trustees penalties, which after a false start in 2013 finally came into effect in July, there were very few rule changes that directly impacted SMSF trustees. In fact, 2014 saw the continuation of a period of relative
January 30, 2015
JPMorgan emerging markets opportunities fund receives Zenith rating
Research house Zenith has rated JPMorgan’s Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund ‘Recommended’, stating that J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s emerging markets equity team “is one of the strongest within the emerging market sector.” J.P. Morgan Asset Management manages USD$6.3 billion in this strategy globally. Zenith commented in its report that the research process for the Fund is
January 29, 2015
Volatile markets to challenge investors in 2015
Triple3 Partners have warned that quantitative easing, an expected increase in global interest rates and falling oil prices will present investors with a challenging set of circumstances in 2015. “The investment environment for 2015 will be very different to last year, and investors should be prepared for new challenges as well as new opportunities,” says
January 29, 2015
Smarter Money Investments approved for BT Wrap
The boutique fixed-income manager Smarter Money Investments (SMI) is pleased to announce that its flagship “active cash” fund has been added to the BT Wrap Platform for use by advisers and their clients both inside and outside superannuation.  SMI’s active cash strategy is already available on other leading platforms, including Macquarie Wrap, Onevue, Netwealth,
January 28, 2015
Lonsec releases 2014 Fixed interest Sector Review
Leading research house Lonsec today released its Fixed Interest Sector Review, highlighting 2014 as a reversal of 2013 with traditional bond funds outperforming more credit intensive counterparts. Australian Fixed Interest managers, after a strong 2013, generally had a tougher year; while Global Fixed Interest, after a dismal 2013, was the top performer within the fixed
January 28, 2015
BetaShares launches Fundamental Index ETF for US equities
BetaShares, a leading provider of Australian exchange traded products, today announced the launch of the first US equities ETF traded on the ASX to use the Fundamental Index® methodology. The BetaShares FTSE RAFI U.S. 1000 ETF will trade under the ASX code “QUS” and aims to provide an investment return that tracks the performance of
January 28, 2015
Advisers on notice as spike in SMSF breaches puts spotlight on new ATO powers
The Australian Taxation Office’s enhanced range of powers could see an increase in penalties levied against trustees of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), when funds begin lodging returns for the current financial year. Martin Murden, director of SMSF consulting with Partners Group, says the ATO has in the past been circumspect in using its powers against
January 28, 2015
Tucker: new-generation firms set new benchmarks for financial planning businesses
The financial planning and wealth management profession is quickly heading toward a seismic shift in form and operation – under pressure from both the government and clients. The recent financial advice scandals have placed the profession directly under the spotlight and a radical change in its structure is now inevitable. Despite the many government inquiries
January 28, 2015
Everything old is new again as planners tackle the advice and investment aspects of aged care
Preparing clients financially to enter aged care later in life is a vital aim of financial planning. Some 25 per cent of the population will be over 65 years of age by the year 2100 – up from just 4 per cent at the start of the 20th century, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics
January 28, 2015
S&P Dow Jones Indices sets aggressive global expansion of its fixed income business
Anticipating flourishing, global demand for fixed income indices for use in both passive investment strategies and as benchmarks for actively managed portfolios, S&P Dow Jones Indices (“S&P DJI”) announced today an aggressive plan to exponentially grow its fixed income index business throughout the world – bringing greater transparency, integrity, breadth, and flexibility to the fixed
January 27, 2015
Asset managers seek a variety of approaches to offer ETF products
The January 2015 issue of The Cerulli Edge – U.S. Monthly Product Trends evaluates exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The January Monthly Spotlight examines the best-selling mutual fund, ETF, and Morningstar categories of 2014. Highlights from this research: Asset managers are seeking a variety of approaches to offer ETF products, such as using their firm’s existing infrastructure
January 27, 2015
Zenith rates the Perpetual Global Share Fund ‘Class A Recommended’
Zenith has initiated coverage on the Perpetual Global Share Fund – Class A (APIR: PER0733AU), managed internally by a dedicated global equities team, with a RECOMMENDED rating. Since inception (January 2011), the strategy has been managed by Garry Laurence who has over 11 years industry experience. The Fund provides investors with a concentrated, value biased,
January 27, 2015
