Life insurance lacking in those with most to lose
Research shows a dramatic difference between the number of Australians who rate the importance of life insurance and the number who have it. And those without financial protection usually have the most to lose from setbacks such as an accident or illness. This includes retirees and those approaching retirement. The research was commissioned by Australia’s
January 27, 2015
Oil’s perfect storm
Standard Life Investments, the global investment manager, considers the winners and losers appearing between producers, exporters and importers after the recent collapse in oil prices. This analysis is part of the latest edition of Global Outlook which highlights that households should benefit but oil service companies will suffer along with countries heavily dependent on oil
January 27, 2015
‘Secret’ submissions, short deadline undermine the life insurance working group inquiry
The short timeframe for submissions to the Life Insurance and Advice Working Group (LIAWG) may limit the number of responses it receives before the 30 January deadline. Wayne Handley, managing director of life insurance-focused group Bombora Advice, says “the timing is unfortunate, the short timeframe to get responses in was a concern that we had”.
January 27, 2015
A buyers’ guide to managed accounts: a starting point for your search
Anyone who has bought a car – or more precisely, had to keep the family happy while also buying a car – knows that the requirements can be in conflict and are sometimes utterly unrelated to practical considerations. Requirements such as size (big enough for the dog); colour (not another black car); engine size (zippier
January 27, 2015
For love and money: advice strategies for new couples
Many people make a promise to share a life together – for richer or poorer. But all too often a good relationship can be pulled apart by money issues resulting from different views on how to handle money, different expectations or poor planning. Before making the leap to move in together, couples should agree on
January 27, 2015
What financial planners can learn from client disputes
In FOS Dispute 247048 a decision was handed down in favour of the financial services provider (FSP) on the basis that the dispute fell outside the FOS Terms of Reference. Nevertheless there are still good lessons for advisers in this dispute. The Applicant was a dairy farmer who described himself as a person with limited
January 23, 2015
Fixing perceptions of planning will take more than money and spin
Melinda Houghton’s initiative to counter negative public perceptions of financial planners is admirable. But does Houghton’s “Positivity for Planners” campaign seek to treat the symptoms before the disease has been properly addressed? The last couple of years have seen the financial planning industry cop a larger than usual amount of negative press. Some of this
January 23, 2015
Multi-asset managed funds: come and see the real thing
In 2014, investor appetite for multi-asset strategies has remained at elevated levels, as evidenced by the significant flow of funds into this sector. Growth in funds under advice has been matched by a proliferation of new offerings, particularly in the “real return” market segment, as investment managers respond to the segment’s emerging status, whilst also
January 23, 2015
Zenith rates NSW Waratah Annuity Bonds – Series 12 RECOMMENDED
NSW Waratah Annuity Bonds – Series 12 (WAB) is designed to provide a regular, annuity style income stream over a defined term via a debenture issued by the NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp) which is effectively guaranteed by the NSW Government. WAB has the characteristics of an amortising inflation linked bond or a fixed term annuity
January 22, 2015
Implementing efficiency in equity portfolios is a must for all super funds
There is growing interest among Australian super funds in the potential benefits of Centralised Portfolio Management (CPM) says Raewyn Williams, Director of Parametric’s Research & After-Tax Solutions. Ms Williams said that recent research, in particular a Towers Watson paper, shows how CPM is designed to capture value lost from tax, and implement efficiency in equity
January 22, 2015
PIMCO: What we are hearing from Asia-Pacific investors – five themes for 2015
A new Viewpoint by Eric Mogelof, Managing Director and Head of PIMCO Asia-Pacific, is now available. What We Are Hearing From Asia-Pacific Investors: Five Themes for 2015 – Amid lower forward-looking returns, investors are focusing on multi-asset solutions, enhanced beta, income and alternatives in Asia-Pacific. – PIMCO is prepared to address these themes, drawing upon
January 21, 2015
iShares leads global ETF industry flows with US$102.8bn in 2014
BlackRock has announced that its iShares business led the global industry by capturing $102.8bn in new flows in 2014, 31% of the record-breaking $330.7bn global exchange traded fund (ETF) market flows. Growth was driven by the iShares U.S. and European product lines, which continue to be adopted by investors across the globe. The iShares U.S.
January 21, 2015
