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The two funds have now committed to exploring a proper merger after announcing a pooled superannuation trust (PST) arrangement in 2021 that drew the ire of members of the Morrison Government. Hostplus and Maritime Super have signed a memorandum of understanding and will commence joint due diligence with an intention to merge in 2023, with…

Magellan has gone to its investors with a profit beat, a potential share buyback, and a promise that it will no longer be distracted by dalliances outside its core funds management business. Magellan came out swinging at its first results briefing since the surprise departure of Hamish Douglass, announcing an increased dividend, a potential share…

ASIC’s investigation into claims of insider trading at super funds keeps getting bigger as the regulator tries to ensure that “trustees are not abusing their positions.” ASIC’s investigation into so-called insider trading at super funds had previously examined the switching behaviour of 67 trustees and executives, excluding all but four of them from its investigation…

AustralianSuper will have $80 billion managed by external managers over the next few years as it eyes larger allocations to key emerging markets like India and China. AustralianSuper currently has $50 billion managed by external managers, a figure that will swell to some $80 billion over the next few years as the fund races towards…

While profit-to-member funds have been given the go-ahead to build reserves from new fees on members, Equity Trustees believes that fund shareholders should pony up instead. The issue of so-called “$12 trustees” has leapt to prominence in recent months as super funds flocked to courts to get the green light to build capital reserves through…

The $60 billion industry fund has appointed Calvert and Parametric to implement sustainable screens across its real assets portfolio. Rest has awarded an enhanced ESG mandate to Parametric and Calvert to provider further diversification to its Sustainable Growth ethical investment option. The mandate will see Rest implement ethical and sustainable screens and tilts across its…

The Morrison Government has so-called “$12 trustees” in its crosshairs after they amended trust deeds to levy members for potential penalties. But APRA believes funds might collapse without them. The Morrison Government’s amendment to Section 56 of the SIS Act was intended to prevent super funds from paying penalties using member money, but – as…

The woes never seem to end in emerging markets, but their proponents see the current upheaval as a chance to take advantage of dirt-cheap valuations. China’s regulatory crackdown still has investors running scared, but Joseph Lai, chief investment officer of Ox Capital, says he and his team are like “kids in a candy shop”. Lai…

A prospective Labor government would strike out Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s proxy advice reforms – if Parliament doesn’t do it first. The proxy advice reforms will in be Labor’s crosshairs as Parliament resumes, with shadow minister for financial affairs Stephen Jones calling them “one of the worst policies I have seen in my 10 years in…

The Fund Executives Association Ltd (FEAL), Australia’s peak professional development body for super fund executives, has appointed former QIC and AMP exec Brian Delaney as its new chair. Brian Delaney will take over as chair of FEAL on May 3, continuing a long association with the organisation that dates back to his establishing its Fund…

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has nabbed a new chair from outside the super sector. Gary Dransfield will step into the role of independent chair of ASFA on February 23, while current chair Dr Michael Easson will retire from the role. “We are very pleased to have secured someone from outside the…

Opposition to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s proxy advice reforms is growing, with one key Liberal senator questioning his use of the regulations power and warning of a possible disallowance. While not disagreeing with the reforms in principle, senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells – head of the standing committee for scrutiny of delegated legislation – questioned why Frydenberg had…