Advice opportunities go begging
Outdated and cumbersome advice software is preventing financial planners from delivering scalable advice in an efficient and profitable way, according to a new white paper, which states it should only take “minutes” to produce a limited statement of advice. The release of the white paper, which was written by Provisio Technologies and titled ‘Financial Advice
December 05, 2013
Australians overweight and unhealthy, AIA
Australians are among the least satisfied with their health in the Asia Pacific region with 62 per cent of Australians indicating that their health has declined in the last five years, according to a new report. The AIA Healthy Living Index surveyed 10,245 individuals throughout the Asia Pacific including over 600 interviews in Australia. It
December 05, 2013
Spotlight on the mis-selling of structured products
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has issued a stern warning to financial planners who recommend structured and capital protected products to consumers without fully understanding their personal circumstances. The regulator described the findings of its review into the provision of capital protected products to retail investors as “disappointing” with “many advisers” failing to meet
December 05, 2013
Advisers form new lobby group
A small group of financial planners and funds managers are forming a national association to promote the benefits of alternative investments and target return strategies to the government and other regulators. Principal at financial planning practice Reid McGill and director of consultancy firm Target Risk Funds, Philip Reid is spearheading the group, which has been
December 03, 2013
Investors hurt by home-country bias
Australian investors are increasingly aware that their home-country bias to domestic equities is hurting them, according to Vanguard senior investment analyst Paul Chin. In the last six months, investors have boosted their allocation to international and emerging market equities, he said, indicating a growing desire for, and understanding of, the return and diversification benefits of
December 03, 2013
Over 5.5 million reasons to upskill
Thousands of Australia’s 5.5 million baby boomers retire each week and with the holiday period approaching there will be plenty of discussions around the needs of ageing parents and relatives. The Christmas season is when families catch up and adult children, who may not have seen their parents for a while, spend quality time together. The
December 03, 2013
It’s time to value add
The dynamics of investing change as an economy shifts from high to low cash rates. The most obvious change will be that overall investment returns decline after a temporary boost to stocks and bonds. Generally, bond yields will be lower and the slowdown in economic growth will cap future equity returns. One of the less
December 03, 2013
Is this the end of the bond market?
Despite predictions that the end of the bond market is near, the fixed income universe covered by Lonsec has expanded considerably over the past few years. This growth has been driven by increased demand for financial products that pay regular distributions, the launch of the bond ETF market and an evolution of absolute return focused
November 29, 2013
PI set to soar, for some
Advice businesses which heavily recommend direct equities, property, structured products and Managed Discretionary Accounts (MDA) could face hefty premium increases for professional indemnity insurance at time of renewal, warns Australia’s largest financial planning risk insurance broker. According to Mega Capital director Michael Gottlieb, the number of PI insurers who are prepared to cover advisers who
November 29, 2013
Australia rated “moderate to poor” on global advice scene
The most profitable and effective financial planning practices globally are savvy marketers who spend around 80 per cent of their time in front of clients, and focus on “asset gathering” not asset management, according an Australian delegation who recently returned from North America. The group, which included Treysta Wealth Management adviser Mark Nagle, Implemented Portfolios
November 29, 2013
Expect lower returns: MBA
The outlook for Australian equities is gloomy, with the easy money already made and valuations now stretched, according to Maple-Brown Abbott’s managing director and chief investment officer Garth Rossler. “Domestic equities have had a strong run with long-term returns in the range of 9-10 per cent, however, multiples are now reasonably full and earnings are
November 29, 2013
The Power of Consensus
Asian cultures may appear conservative and resistant to change but it would be unwise to underestimate the power of consensus. Once both Japan and China decide on a direction of travel, they tend to reach their destination. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe must overcome significant vested interests if he is to succeed in hitting the bullseye
November 29, 2013
