It is amazing that a debate continues between passive and active management, nearly 40 years after its emergence in Australia with the arrival of State Street and Russell Investments to these shores in the mid-1980s. Nevertheless, it does. The really odd thing is, in emerging markets at least, the debate is still worth listening to….
ASIC has fast-tracked licensing for 33 fintech entities under its two-year old ‘Innovation Hub’ program, a report issued last week reveals. But there is still only one player actually in the ‘sandbox’. According to the ASIC report, the Innovation Hub – launched in March 2015 to streamline licensing for fintech firms – had dealt with…
Industry fund Sunsuper beat strong challenges from eight other big super funds – all not-for-profit funds – to take out the prestigious ‘Super Fund of the Year’ award at the annual Chant West awards evening in Sydney last week. At a sell-out dinner, Scott Hartley, Sunsuper’s chief executive, congratulated his staff, which is usual for…
Forget ‘big data’. That is so last year. The latest developments in technology to improve both efficiencies from operations and returns from investment strategies are mostly to do with artificial intelligence. Philippe Denis and Philippe Benoit, both from BNP Paribas, spell out the world into which we are heading. BNP Paribas Securities Services last year…
State Street Global Advisors published its annual “Stewardship Report” last week. It is worth a read to help get a better understanding about the ESG tsunami washing over our industry. There is now no doubt: ESG management makes money. If you don’t have a strategy, please hand in your license. Most recently famous for coming…
The global growth story, which the world has been witnessing for the past few months, or maybe even a year, is not all good news. It poses challenges for fixed income investors, with likely rising rates and currencies. But, as always, there are opportunities. According to Brandywine Global Investment Management, the Legg Mason-affiliated specialist fixed…
Australian super funds seem to be well ahead of their international counterparts in terms of engagement with members if the response to a presentation by Empirics Data Solutions chief executive, Darrell Ludowyke, at a global CEM Benchmarking conference is any guide. Ludowyke presented at the conference in Chicago earlier this month – an annual event…
One of the largest and oldest ESG-specialist fund managers in the world, Calvert Research and Management, has entered the Australian market following its purchase last year by Eaton Vance. Calvert provides a different perspective on the topic than most other managers. Anthony Eames, the vice president and director of the main ‘Responsible Investment Strategy’ at…
Comment by Greg Bright It may seem like a small sample – just 50 investment professionals of big super funds, plus a sprinkling of consultants and managers – but it signifies what appears to be a growing movement to push back against the merger trend promoted by APRA and some industry commentators. The question: “In…
The Australian Custodial Services Association has announced several board changes while unveiling its annual award winners to members last week. The board changes follow several years of honorary work by directors on the detail of new regulations. Hosted by Citi, the members’ dinner represented the first in a series of ACSA events for the year….
