Industry Updates

Morningstar hires new principal of super research

Morningstar has hired William Anglingdarma as principal to lead the research house's superannuation coverage.

December 12, 2024

Fee consent overhaul still lacks consensus amid DBFO fight

One of the cornerstones of the first tranche of the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes legislation was streamlining fee consent renewals into a single, industry standardised form. However, the Financial Advice Association says the industry is still coming to a consensus on a standardised form which the association is “fighting very hard” for.

December 11, 2024

Engage Financial Solutions launches partner firm

Engage Financial Solutions has announced the launch of partner firm Engage Practice Management, which will be led by former Profile Financial Services CEO Lena Ridley.

December 11, 2024

Inflation, inequality, immigration: The three ‘I’s driving economic uncertainty

Economic uncertainty has accelerated in the past decade and this heightened unpredictability has important implications for asset allocators. Factors like the three 'I's - inflation, inequality and immigration - along with an “abnormal” economic cycle and challenging geopolitical are driving this challenging environment.

December 11, 2024

MLC Life to merge with Resolution Life under new brand

MLC Life and Resolution Life Australasia will come together under a new brand, Acenda, following the acquisition of the latter by Japanese insurer Nippon Life.

December 11, 2024

Challenging markets gives renewed focus to systematic investing

New rigour around systematic investing thanks to artificial intelligence and cutting-edge risk techniques is enabling investors to navigate the complex market.

December 11, 2024

Systematic investing: A recipe for navigating today’s information overload

Just like a chef who sources the highest quality ingredients to make the most delicious meal, systematic investing requires the most reliable data and information to execute its process. Macquarie Asset Management head of systematic investments Benjamin Leung writes this is why systematic managers must effectively filter information to create a “balanced meal” of meaningful insights.

December 11, 2024

Key to the retirement puzzle is adviser and fund collaboration

The needs of members in retirement are highly individualised, and retirement solutions are complex. Matching solutions to members’ needs is a specialised task that most funds are ill-equipped to perform. The Professional Planner Researcher Forum has heard the key to getting it right for members is collaboration between funds and financial advisers.

December 10, 2024

Insignia CEO questions insourced admin model, slashes 25pc of headcount

Insignia Financial has shifted to outsource administration of its $180 billion superannuation assets, inking a deal with SS&C and reassigning 1300 workers to the service provider during the process. The decision stands in stark contrast to peers such as Aware Super, which recently internalised member services, but CEO Scott Hartley said that option is a “costly exercise”.

December 10, 2024

ASIC’s research house agenda zeroes in on advice

The corporate regulator says it will scrutinise the use of investment research and ratings by advisers and licensees. But ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland says the watchdog has little interest in greater direct oversight of the veracity of research itself.

December 09, 2024

Expect double digit losses if you get alternatives wrong

Information asymmetry can cause investors to make the wrong decisions when it comes to choosing private market or alternative asset classes. Consequently, this risk could see investors exposed to double digit negative returns if the right information isn’t used.

December 09, 2024