The uncomfortable truth is that slavery, even in its more modern form, still exists. The UN estimates there are approximately 40 million victims of modern slavery around the world. The exploitation of people for commercial gain is deeply intertwined into everyday products and services through our global supply chains. This is a serious global issue…
In recent years, the global surge towards ensuring diversity and inclusion within corporate leadership has intensified. In 2020, industry super fund HESTA launched an initiative called ’40:40 Vision’. It advocates for more diversity in executive leadership in corporate Australia by setting a gender balance target of at least 40 per cent men and 40 per…
APRA’s proposed changes to the regulation known as SPS250 will mean all super funds will have to fundamentally challenge the nature of their existing insurance partnerships by widening the notions of priority and privilege. The changes will alter the competitive landscape. In 2020, APRA amended this core superannuation standards to address a recommendation from the…
Integrity Life secured $43 million in their recent series B round of funding. There was a strong interest in the raise, that took place before and during COVID-19. Given the instability of the global economy, this significant investment is being viewed by the market as further endorsement of the importance of Integrity’s digital-led positioning. The…
Many investors may be wondering whether there is any value left in domestic fixed-income markets. While outright yields may look tight on a historical basis, we contend that spread sectors still provide attractive risk-adjusted returns relative to cash and government bonds. Indeed, there still exist a number of compelling risk/return opportunities for active managers to…
Governance is the pillar of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles that investors have been actively considering for the longest period of time. This is not surprising, as in some ways, it could be said that governance is probably the most important aspect of ESG. An organisation’s board’s role is to appoint the CEO and…
They say that the first year of a new business is the hardest. Although there were moments when it felt like it might be, it hasn’t turned out that way for Sam Lecornu, Duke Lo and John Lam, partners in new Hong Kong-based Asian fund manager Stonehorn Global Partners. From a standing start in June…
For obvious reasons, everyone is focused now on the pandemic, the mitigation policies being put in place to control it and the huge monetary, fiscal and medical implications. But there are other external factors worth discussing for the impact they could have on the world’s major economies. The first one is inventory levels. Over the…
The rollercoaster in global equity markets during the first half of the year is now behind us, and although the market has rebounded, many industries still remain affected by COVID-19. With an upcoming US election creating further uncertainty and a dull economic outlook, many investors and advisers are currently thinking – where to from here?…
With climate change being increasingly recognised as a systemic risk, the investment community is becoming more focused on supporting the transition to a net-zero-emissions economy and establishing sound transition plans. The announcement by Cbus Super is the most recent example. Last month, the $54 billion building and construction industry superfund launched a new Climate Change…
