Industry Updates

E&P shareholders vote in favour of ASX delisting

Shareholders of Evans and Partners, the parent company of disgraced vertically-integrated advice firm Dixon Advisory, have voted in favour of delisting from the ASX. Leadership encouraged the option after mounting controversies and ongoing scrutiny plagued the share price of the troubled firm.

AustralianSuper chief retirement officer departs

AustralianSuper's first chief retirement officer, Shawn Blackmore, is leaving after 17 years with the super fund. 

Key considerations for global equities beyond the US election

The prospect of a new president in the White House has loomed large on investors’ minds. Beyond the US election, however, what might 2025 bring? David Eiswert writes the powerful investment trends of artificial intelligence and GLP‑1s, along with recent economic policy measures, are reasons to be more sanguine about the outlook.

Large-caps driving investor interest in emerging megatrends

Big name companies continue to be the focus of interest for investors keen to lift exposure to secular trends like artificial intelligence and anti-obesity drugs. The absence of near-term competition and lack of clarity on how these technologies will develop in the longer term means investors continue to pile into a handful of companies.

Smaller AFSLs reporting more breaches

After vocal pressure from the corporate regulator over the last couple of years, more smaller licensees are beginning to contribute more reported breaches to ASIC. However, the third annual reportable situations regime report shows they are yet to fully catch up.

Licensees, keep an eye on your AI governance

ASIC’s latest report into AI governance shows that licensees have assessed risks through the lens of the business rather than the consumer. A compliance expert believes licensees will need to remain vigilant with governance as the technology develops rapidly.

Deakin University dominates AMP University Challenge

Teams from Deakin University have taken first and second place in AMP’s 2024 University Challenge.

Last leg of advice reform must be held out in the open

The multi-year process to reform financial advice laws has been hindered by a closed-door, secretive process tightly controlled by public servants and industry lobbyists, including the unorthodox signing of non-disclosure agreements. The new Professional Planner Advice Policy Summit will bring the debate into the public domain, allowing all advice stakeholders to have their say in what should be a transparent and democratic policy development process.

Client portals, online fact-finds tipped for greater adoption

Client portals and online fact-finding tools are expected to see significant uptake over the next couple of years, according to Netwealth’s latest AdviceTech Buyers Guide. The guide is based on the survey’s suite of “high potential” for adoption technologies which are products and services that are widely picked up by the best advice firms.

Cbus governance issues concerning: Morningstar

Morningstar has sent out a warning shot to advisers and other investors about its confidence with troubled profit-to-member fund Cbus over talent retention, governance and lack of independence from unions. The concerns come the day after the fund spruiked its new advice offering which had caught the Financial Advice Association – a key partner for external referrals – by surprise.

FAAA looks to India to pump up local adviser numbers

With industry numbers declining, the Financial Advice Association intends to combat the decrease adviser numbers by recruiting financial advisers from India and assisting the smooth addition of the new class of advisers, as proposed by the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes bill.

ASIC warns licensees of AI adoption governance gap

ASIC is cautioning licensees to ensure their governance practices keep up with their adoption of AI after its first report showed a potential gap between governance and AI adoption. 

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