Few would disagree that a strong regulator is required for a strong superannuation system. But APRA’s myopic focus on cost to members means its $70,000 Christmas party is unlikely to help its reputation.
Good investing requires real sacrifices, according to Oaktree’s Howard Marks, but you can’t expect to be compensated just for making them.
Battle lines drawn in performance measurement
eVestment Alliance (eA) has thrown down the gauntlet to Mercer in the institutional performance information and fund ranking markets with the acquisition of two well-known hedge fund information businesses.
eA has acquired PerTrac, one of the largest specialist hedge fund information firms, and Fundspire, a cloud-technology hedge fund analytics and performance data and tools provider.
eA has been the main global competitor to Mercer, which still has the largest share of the mainstream funds management performance market, but the addition of new services in the alternatives space should narrow the gap.
PerTrac, founded in the US about 16 years ago, has about 100 staff in various countries with a product range of 13 ‘solutions’ for clients. The smaller Fundspire – with about 20 staff – is known for its innovation in information delivery. Combined staff post merger will be about 250.
PerTrac said that the acquisition underscores its belief that portfolio diversification by institutional investors will continue.
“The scale and strength of our combined businesses and the commonality of needs will result in more product options for our entire client base and many new possibilities for our associates,” PerTrac chief executive, Jim Minnick, said in a prepared statement.Â
