FIIG says Aussie dollar could fall below 75 cents: USD bonds offer potential to gain
The Australian Dollar could be heading well below 75 cents against the strengthening US dollar, according to analysis by FIIG Securities. FIIG Head of Markets Craig Swanger said investors who had already invested in the USD were up 8-9% in the past few months but the problem for many was that USD bank accounts earn
October 21, 2014
Folkestone Maxim A-REIT Securities Fund 4-star rating
Folkestone Maxim Asset Management is pleased to announce that the Folkestone Maxim A-REIT Securities Fund has been awarded a ‘Superior’ 4 out of 5 star rating from SQM Research which is an upgrade from 3.75 stars. SQM Research’s rationale for the upgrade was: “The ratings upgrade has been driven by the skills and experience of
October 21, 2014
Zenith rates Perpetual Equity Investment Company Limited
Perpetual Equity Investment Company Limited is a newly incorporated listed investment company (ASX:PIC) whose General Offer opens to the public on 21 October 2014. The Company is seeking to raise a minimum $150 million and maximum $600 million under the Offer (includes oversubscriptions with free attaching Options on a one-for-one base exercisable before 10 June
October 21, 2014
AMP Capital launches Global Infrastructure Fund
AMP Capital has launched its Global Infrastructure Fund and has attracted a significant commitment from global private equity and infrastructure investor Pantheon into its global infrastructure platform. AMP Capital has created the platform by converting its successful Strategic Infrastructure Trust of Europe (SITE) from an open-ended to a closed-ended European fund and launching the Global
October 21, 2014
Life insurance risk market Inflows climb 11.1% in 2013/14 to $13.4bn
The Life Insurance Risk Market is comprised of both Individual Risk Lump Sum & Risk Income Insurances plus Group Risk Insurance. Overall Risk Inflows continued to grow strongly up by a further 11.1%. Virtually all of the main participants in the Risk market reported higher Inflows with MetLife (95.0%), TAL (25.8%), AIA (20.1%) and BT
October 20, 2014
Asking clients the toughest question of all, so they talk before they walk
It takes a brave financial planning business to ask its client whether they’re thinking about severing the relationship. If a client has been thinking of doing that, then merely asking the question can be the catalyst to making it happen. But it’s a particularly stupid business that doesn’t ask the question. Often the first sign
October 20, 2014
If you think longevity is a risk for your clients, consider the alternative
In the 1960s, French actor Maurice Chevalier quipped that old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative. How times have changed. The financial services industry today seems to believe that the alternative – death – is almost as bad as running out of money in old age. And judging by the multitude of
October 20, 2014
Does this mean we’re breaking up? Tips for ending a client relationship without tears
It is starting to become apparent to some advisers that the revenue they receive from some clients, combined with the risk and demands of keeping these clients, is simply not in the best interests of both parties. ASIC has made it clear that it will not tolerate advisers who collect revenue from clients and provide
October 17, 2014
Planning software company responds to the increasing adviser compliance demands
Technology provider AdviserLogic has added new security and compliance features to its financial planning-focused software offering. This enables advisers to easily compare products and make client-led recommendations that meet client best interests provisions, particularly when creating statements of advice and client needs analyses. “If you can take down those barriers to compliance by making it
October 17, 2014
FORUM: Finding reference points for successful financial planning practices
Whether a financial planning business is 30 years old or only a year old, success and growth are built on common foundations. High on that list is organic growth from referrals by existing clients. But to succeed, referrals need a deliberate and a well thought-out strategy. The Melbourne-based financial planning practice Scholten Collins McKissock was established 30
October 16, 2014
Technology making tax time easier for investors using modern platforms
HUB24 announces that client tax statements have all been completed & released The group’s new Tax Statement Estimator matches up expected data from fund managers and share registries to better forecast release times for tax statements Use of SMA’s are ‘making a difference’ in completing tax statements HUB24 announced that all of their client’s tax
October 16, 2014
Retail investors emulate HNW counterparts via market-neutral funds
Once the domain of the ultra high-net-worth and institutional investors, a growing number of retail investors are achieving similar levels of risk minimisation by tapping into the low or zero correlation strategies adopted by market-neutral funds. Much of the success of market-neutral funds says Phillip Boustridge, fund manager with Pengana’s Australian Equities Market-Neutral Fund, can
October 15, 2014
