HUB24 adds Zurich as a third individual insurance provider
As demand grows for the availability of risk products on platforms, HUB24 advocates that a choice of insurers is important for advisers and their clients given the significant price and feature differences of many products. In response to this demand, HUB24 is pleased to bring a third retail insurance provider to its market leading super
October 07, 2014
SPIVA Australia scorecard shows most active funds lagged respective index benchmarks
– The SPIVA Australia Scorecard reports on the performance of actively managed Australian mutual funds versus that of their benchmarks, showing equal- and asset-weighted peer averages. READ FULL REPORT SUMMARY – The index versus active debate has been a contentious subject for decades, and there are strong opinions on both sides. The SPIVA Australia Scorecard is
October 07, 2014
US confidence drives international equities growth
Anticipation of an increase in US interest rates in 2015 drove a rise in the US dollar, falling commodities prices and a sustained sell-off in the Australian equities market during the month of September, according to BetaShares’ Global Market Review. The review, which analyses performance across seven major asset classes, found that international equities was
October 07, 2014
Inside MLC’s compliance grading system for financial planners
Compliance is a key comparison financial planners cite when weighing up the pros and cons of joining a bank-owned versus non-aligned Australian Financial Services licensee, but what does this really mean? According to James Meade, general manager, MLC Financial Planning and Garvan, adviser profiling is central to the compliance program deployed across National Australia Bank’s
October 07, 2014
Small but perfectly formed: How to build a platform with the lot, on a budget
It’s highly likely that BT Financial Group’s Panorama platform will be the smartest, most-fandangled wrap when it’s finally completed. So far BT has only delivered a cash hub, but plenty of additional functionality is promised. BT believes the platform will be “game changing” – and so it should be given Westpac’s mammoth investment, estimated to
October 07, 2014
A formal education is the experience some financial planners need
School holidays are over, and for one cohort of students Year 12 officially starts today. It can be a difficult year, and for many kids it can also be a very stressful year. It represents the culmination of more than a decade of schooling; and whether we like it or not, it creates a benchmark
October 07, 2014
IN FOCUS: The professional dividend pays off in more ways than one
It takes time, commitment and no small expense to achieve a professional designation. The payback comes in more ways than one. Simon Hoyle reports. Dr Adrian Raftery is a senior lecturer in financial planning and superannuation in the school of accounting, economics and finance, faculty of business and law, at Deakin University. He is a
October 06, 2014
FTSE and Research Affiliates Debut FTSE RAFI Low Volatility Index Series
– Provides fundamental weighting to low volatility securities – Indices cover Global, Developed, and Emerging markets – Over $59 billion now tracking FTSE RAFI benchmarks FTSE Group (“FTSE”), the global index provider, and Research Affiliates LLC, have announced the launch of the FTSE RAFI Low Volatility Index Series, a new set of global benchmarks that
October 03, 2014
A new lease on life for former Shadforth Financial Group duo
Walking away from a combined 30 years with a firm they feel no longer suits their financial planning approach, ex-Shadforth (SFG) advisers Charles Badenach and Rebecca Fergusson have launched their own practice. The pair resigned from SFG, now owned by IOOF, only to link their new practice, Main Street Financial Solutions, to another IOOF-owned licensee.
October 03, 2014
Horses for courses when it comes to matching products to clients’ needs
A recent post in this publication featured a paper by Gail Pearson, Professor of Business Law at the University of Sydney Business School. The otherwise well-balanced document was somewhat misleading in its title, “Spotlight on planners ignores dodgy financial products”. While it didn’t expand greatly on the premise, the title creates the impression that many
October 03, 2014
The nine-step portfolio health check every financial planner needs to perform
After an extended period of globally low interest rates and a flood of liquidity being pumped into the financial system, there is a heightened probability that credit and share markets will experience a correction in the medium term. There are a number of concerning signals including: – The signal by the US Federal Reserve that
October 03, 2014
Investor confidence rises in September by 3.8 Points to 123.9
State Street Global Exchange today released the results of the State Street Investor Confidence Index® (ICI) for September 2014. The Global ICI increased to 123.9 in September, up 3.8 points from August’s revised reading of 120.1. Investors in both North America and Asia displayed lower risk appetite, with the North American ICI falling 5.1 points
October 01, 2014
