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ASX-listed financial software firm Bravura is poised to roll-out an Australian-built digital advice system for the New Zealand market. Kylie Bryant, the newly appointed Bravura NZ country head, said the group was adapting the Midwinter digital financial planning suite for that market in anticipation of growing demand in the sector. “FSLAA [the Financial Services Legislation…

by Greg Bright It was a different experience for everyone at this year’s Chant West Awards function, held, via ‘live feed’ on YouTube last Thursday, May 14. To a large extent, the message was more important this year than ever before. Now is the time the big super funds are, as they should be, standing…

As part of its investor pathway of building new solutions, Martin Currie has announced the launch of the Martin Currie Australia ‘Sustainable Equity’ strategy. The strategy is designed to provide higher returns than the index over the long term, while considering – and positively influencing – the sustainability practices of the companies it invests in….

Quantum is an Australian medical device fund which draws on a global network of key medical leaders with a lot of experience in developing medical devices, including an artificial heart. The fund is close to finalising its first raising. It is the insights from the group of medical opinion leaders that will lead to the…

by Greg Bright They’ve been talking about it for a long while, but this time it’s looking serious. Value investing is coming back, after a decade of, mostly, underperformance, thanks to the big market correction around the world and even bigger economic slump, due to COVID-19. A webinar based in the US last week, on…

AMP Capital has delayed by a month the payment of applications for redemptions from two of its wholesale property trusts for applications received since March 16. And the redemption amounts to be paid will be staggered over the next year. AMP Capital announced to unit holders last week an update to the redemption requests for…

The annual MAX Awards, the sales and marketing awards for the funds management industry, will go ahead via live stream video on June 11, complete with an entertaining presenter, comedian Jean Kittson. The 105 finalists across 21 categories were announced last week. The Awards are ‘people’s choice’ style, with all industry participants eligible to vote….

by Wietske Blees* If investment risk professionals spent 2019 preparing for volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous markets, 2020 is proving to be the year in which that ‘VUCA’ environment has materialised. In these “unprecedented” times, how well equipped are risk models to help navigate volatility and predict a reliable distribution of possible future returns? Strictly…

In a letter sent to employees late in April, Aon chief, Gregory Case, says 70 per cent of the firm’s staff around the world will take a reduction of approximately 20 per cent of salary, which will be implemented in accordance with local practices. But proposed merger partner, Willis Towers Watson, is not following suit….

Historically, it’s been assumed that the economic multiplier of a fiscal stimulus is about 0.5, but recent work indicates it can be much higher than this in depressed times, such as the current conditions, according to a research note by Amundi Asset Management. In its latest research note in its ‘Thematic Views’ series, Amundi, the…

by Greg Bright Ahead of this week’s Chant West annual super industry Awards, being held via live stream video on May 14, rather than the usual black-tie dinner, several of the finalists for the top awards speak about the current difficult climate and what the industry has achieved. We have taken the opportunity to profile…

The Chant West Awards presentation, taking place via live video feed on May 14, includes a focus on the long-term sustainability of super funds and the way they invest. There has probably been no better year to adopt such a theme, with the summer from hell being followed by a global health and subsequent financial…