News

For women in particular, but also for men, what sticks from the COVID-19 crisis, what are the potential silver linings to come out of the dark cloud, represent a chance to “bounce forward” rather than “bounce back” once it’s all over, according Margo Lydon. She was the presenter at last week’s (June 26) Women in…

by Greg Bright Media Super, formed in 1987 as JUST Super, was a pioneer among super mergers. It merged with the entertainers and actors’ fund, the interestingly named JEST, within a couple of years of formation. It then merged with Print Super, the printers and typesetters’ fund, several years later. Gerard Noonan, the longstanding Media…

The Australian Investment Council, the main body representing private equity managers and investors, has backed David Koch’s new fintech business, ‘ausbiz’, through a media partnership. Although best known as a successful television personality in Australia, ‘Kochie’ is also a serial entrepreneur. Ausbiz aims to connect investors with interesting investment opportunities, particularly in the private markets…

by David Chaplin A new Mercer study has identified an almost US$6.3 trillion annual “transformational investment” hole across six major global systemic trends. According to the Mercer report, produced on behalf of the World Economic Forum (WEF), “universal shareholders”, such as sovereign wealth funds, are well-placed to fill the transformational-investing void, earning higher returns and…

Russell Investments has embarked on a “massive study” on the lessons for active management in the pandemic era.  Dr Leola Ross, Russell investment strategy research director, told the group’s NZ virtual annual conference audience last week that all investors should review their market beliefs in the wake of COVID-19. “We’re figuring out our own expectations…

For years, venture capital has struggled to attract the attention of big, mainly not-for-profit, super funds. Highly innovative venture-backed companies represent where the money is, at least in the unlisted space. There are several reasons for the struggle. But now, thanks to COVID-19, the world has changed. The big funds are, at last, getting interested…

Australia is likely to be one of the first countries in the world whose stock exchange adopts distributed ledger technology (commonly known as ‘blockchain’). BNP Paribas Securities Services, which has been there from the start, intends to take a ‘node’ from day one and provide real-time data. A ‘node’ is just an information hub, allowing…

AXA Investment Managers, which has been in the sustainable investment space for many years, is ramping up its impact investing – the pointy end of ‘sustainable’ – which aims to make a difference to society while still turning a good profit. AXA IM has put its money where its mouth is with its fourth global…

Westpac Bank has sold its final 9.5 per cent holding in Pendal Group, after the market closed on June 18, sweeping clean its stake in the business. It will continue to withdraw from the $14 billion in assets that Pendal currently manages for Westpac. The Pendal story would make a good book – and, in…

The Goodman Group has topped the size rankings in ANREV’s latest survey of fund managers operating in the Australian unlisted property space, with $52 billion under management. Charter Hall came second, with $38.9 billion, and Lend Lease third, with $36.5 billion. ANREV is a not-for-profit research firm which is part of a global network including…

Carbon-offset investments could see a boost under the new NZ emission trading scheme (ETS) regime that passed into law last week. Paul Harrison, Salt Funds managing director, said the new ETS legislation – currently awaiting Royal Assent – goes further in setting a more realistic market price for carbon lifting the current cap of NZ$25…

Capital Group has recruited Jessica Ground as global head of ESG, a new position for the US$1.7 trillion firm. She will join Capital from Schroders, where she has worked for about 20 years, in September. Capital has a well-established Australian and New Zealand presence. Ground, who will be based in London, will be responsible for…