SSgA says global ETF investors favour large cap and financials
Commentary on April 2014 global exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, by Amanda Skelly, Head of SPDR ETFs, Australia: The Australian ETF industry continues to attract record cash flows into a variety of strategies with the category on track to break the $15bn AUM level by year end. Globally, the ETF industry is closing in on US$2.5 trillion
May 19, 2014
IOOF sweeps up “last-standing quality” financial planning asset in SFG deal
The $670 million acquisition of Shadforth Financial Group (SFG) by IOOF could be one of the last major deals in the round of consolidation that has swept Australia’s financial planning sector in recent years. “SFW [SFG Australia] is the last-standing quality asset in the wealth market, in our view,” according to analysis from Morgan Stanley.
May 19, 2014
What’s going to happen? Funny you should ask me that…
I’m often asked what I think is going to happen. It’s part of my job. My preferred answer in these situations is to say that I don’t know and nor does anyone else because the future is unknowable. It is not really what people, especially investors, want to hear. They don’t want to hear it
May 19, 2014
Why it is time to put differences aside and work for the common good
So far, the FoFA reform process has taken nearly as long as the Second World War. Brad Fox says it’s time for industry players to put their differences aside and work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for everyone. Throughout history there are countless events that exemplify the saying, “United we stand, divided we
May 19, 2014
Plan For Life Australian ETF market overview – March 2014
Australian ETF Market Overview and global research from Strategic Insight into global trends in USA, Europe and Asia has been released today. View the Market Overview
May 16, 2014
Financial planning licensees need to boost their levels of self-promotion
Financial planning licensees need to boost their individual profiles, partly in response to the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) reforms, according to the head of National Australia Bank-owned licensee Meritum Financial Group. Speaking about his own organisation, Stephen Trist, general manager of Meritum, said: “We’re in an environment where there’s other licenses within the bigger
May 16, 2014
Three clear reasons why the time has come to commit to self-regulation
Without wanting to pre-empt the findings of the Senate Standing Committee on Economics’ inquiry into the performance of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, it’s fair to say that it’s not likely to conclude that ASIC has covered itself in glory – particularly in relation to Commonwealth Financial Planning Ltd (CFPL). So the announcement in
May 16, 2014
Web feature: Best practice for implementing managed accounts
Before introducing managed accounts into client portfolios, there are a number of things that financial planners need to consider. Tim Wedd explains. Financial planners wanting to operate managed accounts for their clients need to ensure their businesses are ready for, and aware of, the trade-offs involved, in order to meet growing client demand for investment
May 16, 2014
ETF expert looks to provide ETF research for financial advisers
As the adoption of ETFs continues to grow rapidly among financial planners, accountants and brokers, the need for relevant research to support the advice process needs to be tailored for ETFs. ETF Consulting and Portfolio Solutions founder Tim Bradbury said “we are being asked again to provide research on ETFs to assist financial advisers. To
May 15, 2014
BT tackles underinsurance in business segment
On 19 May, BT is launching Key Person Income, an Australian-first income protection solution for small businesses. Unique in the market, the new solution protects the revenue of a small business should a key person suffer from an injury or illness and subsequently cannot work. Currently only 6% of all small businesses have any insurance
May 15, 2014
Fund managers should not glorify diversification, says expert
One important reason why fund managers as a group do not add value for their clients is that diversification dilutes their stock selection skills. These are some of the findings that Professor Ron Bird, Director of the Paul Woolley Centre, will discuss at the Australian Centre for Financial Studies next week. The four studies, which
May 15, 2014
Increasing investor interest in responsible investing: AXA IM
Global investors are increasingly asking for the monitoring and assessment of environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in their portfolios according to a report published by AXA Investment Managers. Paris-based Matt Christensen, Global Head of Responsible Investment at AXA IM, who is in Australia this week presenting at the GTQ Investing in Responsibility Conference in
May 15, 2014
