With continued record-low interest rates and fair-to-full equity market valuations investors of all sizes are in a quandary. One way to think of a solution is from a whole portfolio perspective rather than thinking about separate asset classes. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management, the US-based global manager provided some insights on a trip by two…
In almost all markets passive investing has risen exponentially, from a couple of per cent to more than 30 per cent of total equity market shares since 2000. In some cases, such as Australia, regulators have egged investors along the path. But at what cost? Rupal Bhansali joined the debate at a briefing in Sydney…
Active management continues to be a good bet in the New Zealand equities market but the odds narrowed in recent years, a new Mercer report reveals. According to the just-released Mercer study over the five years to the end of 2016 the median NZ shares manager beat the benchmark S&P/NZX50 by 0.5 per cent before…
The Link Group has expanded into the funds management administration market with the purchase of White Outsourcing. And, probably of more interest to super funds, the big administrator is also about to cut its fees paid by former SuperPartners industry funds as it reaps the benefits of scale. Announcing its half-yearly results last Friday, Link…
by Greg Bright Bernie Fraser may not be what you’d think of as “independent” from the not-for-profit super fund sector. But his report on fund governance delivered last week represents the most reasoned assessment of “independence” so far presented for the industry’s and Government’s consideration. The Fraser report, which came about because of the Government former…
Chant West has introduced a new category of awards in its upcoming 2017 Awards assessment, to be presented at a black-tie dinner at Sydney’s Ivy Ballroom on May 24. The new award is ‘Best Fund: Advice Services’. Warren Chant, Chant West director said there was good reason to introduce the new award. “Increasingly, it’s the…
Women in Super and AGSM @UNSW Business School announced their annual scholarship program for 2017 at the Women in Super NSW lunch last week, which featured David Neal, Future Fund chief executive, as guest speaker. The scholarship offers NSW WIS members the opportunity to attend one of AGSM’s Executive Education programs to further their learning…
There is a growing expectation from employees that their workplaces need to be “mentally healthy”, with most likely to leave if it is not, according to a survey for the annual ‘Work in Progress’ report by SuperFriend. The report measures the current state of mental health in Australian workplaces, rating organisations against 38 “desired state…
One of the ways investment firms can avoid herding and therefore promote investment outperformance is through their organisations’ culture and everyday work practices. David Neal, the Future Fund chief executive, provided his insights and the fund’s outlook for markets at a sold-out Women in Super lunch in Sydney last week. The outlook is dangerous but…
Russell Investments in Australia is exiting the actuarial part of the industry, announcing last week that it has sold its Australian and New Zealand actuarial practice to Willis Towers Watson. The deal involves the transfer of 22 actuarial staff. Pete Gunning, Russell’s chief executive for Asia Pacific, said the sale reinforced the firm’s focus on…
