Equities Summit
UniSuper, Sunsuper see higher equity markets
Equity markets are set to slowly grind higher as investors shrug off macro concerns, according to two of the country’s largest superannuation funds.
Sarah JonesSeptember 16, 2019
Fixed Income and Credit Forum
Direct lending Intensifies
Australian asset owners have intensified their search for yield in direct lending as cash rates head toward zero or below.
Elizabeth FrySeptember 16, 2019
ESG
First State, HESTA named world leaders in ESG
Six Australian super funds were named world leaders in responsible investing at a PRI conference in Paris this week.
Sarah JonesSeptember 11, 2019
Investment Strategy
Norris: The Future Fund searches for top-notch VC managers
Capital availability is like a pendulum and whilst it is very favourable towards managers right now, we know this will swing back at some stage, says Australia's sovereign wealth fund.
Elizabeth FrySeptember 11, 2019
Fixed Income and Credit Forum
Traditional uses of fixed income tested
The landscape for fixed income investors has changed dramatically with the spread of ultra-low and negative bond yields and the traditional uses of fixed income are challenged.
Elizabeth FrySeptember 11, 2019
Operations
The industry’s drive for scale: Who benefits?
The argument that bigger fund leads to better returns is largely dependent on liquidity and opportunity size. Further, the evidence on the benefits of scale is not encouraging so far, says Michael Kollo.
Michael KolloSeptember 9, 2019
Operations
The battle of data scientists vs the quants
There are powerful forces changing the quantitative communities around the world. These include heavy competition in asset management, a desperate need to stand-out in an overcrowded field and readily available datasets and coding libraries.
Michael KolloAugust 19, 2019
Operations
The rising tide: From AI to investments
The business of developing unique algorithms opens opportunities for them to be seen as stand alone products that can be traded or shared, forming the basis of a value proposition.
Michael KolloAugust 7, 2019
Governance
Where has all the competition gone?
As the industry has consolidated and insurers retain more risk to offset falling revenue,, funds accessing re insurers’ pricing and capacity is the simplest solution to re-balance competition for members
Ilan LeasSeptember 2, 2019
Governance
What is the purpose of our retirement income system?
In view of the forthcoming review of the retirement income system, it is necessary to think about the level of financial resources needed by Australians in retirement. So, what is the purpose of the system? Currently we do not have a clear objective, says Mercer's David Knox.
Dr David KnoxAugust 28, 2019
Governance
If the ocean boils, is super the blunt tool?
If the government adopts a broad focus for its Review of the Retirement Income System, then there is risk that super is viewed as a blunt tool rather than something which can deliver much more, and Best-in-Show is definitely in play, says David Bell.
David BellAugust 26, 2019
Investment Strategy
Managing volatility in fixed income
Managing higher volatility has become much tougher with interest rates at such low levels since any change will lead to greater convexity, according to three panellists speaking at Investment Magazine’s Fixed Income and Credit Forum.
Elizabeth FrySeptember 13, 2019
Investment Strategy
Does fixed income stack up in emerging markets?
Despite the huge inflows into emerging market debt, it is still an underinvested asset class which has achieved solid returns –up to 6 per cent in some countries.
Elizabeth FrySeptember 11, 2019
Investment Strategy
Are there too many levers in unconstrained fixed income?
Investors are expecting too much from unconstrained fixed income managers and trade-offs need to be made.
Amanda WhiteSeptember 11, 2019
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Adrift—Has US monetary policy become unanchored?
Looser monetary policy by the Federal Reserve may have unintended consequences for the US economy and markets, according to Dr. Sonal Desai, Fixed Income CIO at Franklin Templeton.
Technology
Superannuation accounts a rich target for cyber-crime
Superannuation funds present unique opportunities for cyber-criminals to attack
September 17, 2019 - September 18, 2019
Absolute Returns Conference
SUITABLE FOR: Heads of alternatives, Portfolio managers, CIOs, Asset consultants
The Absolute Returns Conference is designed to examine strategies that deliver absolute return outcomes. This includes the case for liquid alternatives and how to gain returns from alternative beta, volatility strategies, and appropriate fee structures.
October 28, 2019 - October 29, 2019
Equities Summit
SUITABLE FOR: Heads of equities, Portfolio managers, CIOs, Asset consultants
The Equities Summit is designed to examine how the exposure and implementation of equity strategies have changed over the years with the evolution of portfolio construction techniques and quantitative and risk analysis.
November 18, 2019 - November 20, 2019
Fiduciary Investors Symposium
SUITABLE FOR: CIOs, Heads of asset classes, Chairs of investment, Asset consultants
The Fiduciary Investors Symposiums are designed to examine the management of fiduciary assets in both investment strategy and implementation, including the latest thinking relating to asset allocation, risk management, beta management and alpha generation.
Leadership
Peter Warne: TCorp’s big NSW ambitions
Peter Warne, interim chair of TCorp and chair of Macquarie Group, talks to Investment Magazine, about governance, the evolution of his leadership style and the transformation of the investment and financial management partner of the New South Wales public sector.
Elizabeth FryAugust 26, 2019
Leadership
Equip Super and Catholic Super name new investment chief
The merger of Equip Super and Catholic Super is unlikely to alter the joint venture's investment strategy since the funds' asset allocation mix is similar and there is a huge overlap in investment beliefs, says Anna Shelley, CIO of the merged entity.
Elizabeth FryAugust 26, 2019
Leadership
Tasplan’s Naomi Edwards on mergers and ‘unique value’ propositions
Naomi Edwards, chair of $9.5 billion Hobart-based superannuation fund, Tasplan, says many super funds kid themselves over how unique their value proposition is.
Elizabeth FryAugust 12, 2019
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Insurance
ASIC paper raises thorny issues for super funds
The corporate watchdog proposes to cut the time for decision-making on an IDR complaint to 45 days for superannuation disputes.
John BerrillSeptember 2, 2019
Insurance
Construction workers’ mental health is improving but female and younger workers still struggle
Construction workers are less likely to identify as having a mental health condition than the average Aussie worker and are less stressed overall, according to new research from SuperFriend.
Elizabeth FryAugust 14, 2019
Insurance
Protecting Your Super: Mythbuster
The Senate Economics Committee has recommended that the Putting Members Interests First bill be passed, further restricting default insurance in super.
John BerrillJuly 24, 2019
Post-Retirement
Knox, Rice and Asher urge retirement reform
Three of Australia’s leading superannuation and retirement experts have urged the federal government to give broad scope to its review of Australia’s retirement system, as the current system has too many flaws.
Elizabeth FryAugust 21, 2019
Post-Retirement
Mercer: Grattan research flawed and misleading
A campaign by the Grattan Institute against lifting the superannuation guarantee rate to 12 per cent is based on a “misleading” model, according to a new Mercer report released on Thursday. Mercer senior actuary David Knox said the Grattan findings used a series of assumptions that were not realistic for the average Australian.
Elizabeth FryAugust 1, 2019
Post-Retirement
Risk aversion trumps fund balance in life-cycle fund design
A key issue in life-cycle fund design is setting the right ‘glide path’ for switching from growth to defensive assets over time. As it turns out, risk aversion is far more important than pension fund balance.
Geoff WarrenJuly 29, 2019