Absolute Returns Conference Digital 2020
Aware Super backing tail-risk hedging for retirement cohort
The $125 billion industry fund says that while it doesn’t make sense for younger members, retirement age members can benefit from tailored tail-risk hedging strategies as proxy guards against sequencing risk.
Tahn SharpeSeptember 30, 2020
Private Equity
Investors backing PE credit push in desperate yield hunt: Mehmet
Private equity is taking over the lending ranks from the banks, says Lonsec analyst Ron Mehmet. As volatility tapers off again, demand for alternative fixed income yield in Australia is making alternative avenues more and more attractive.
Tahn SharpeSeptember 30, 2020
Industry
John Hewson: SG freeze due to Covid ‘not defensible’
The ex-Liberal party leader was joined by a host of industry names on an "emergency" webinar to discuss the importance of continuing the legislated SG increase in July 2021, despite the economic effects of the pandemic.
Tahn SharpeSeptember 28, 2020
Absolute Returns Conference Digital 2020
Market sell-off tests portfolio manager efficacy: Cbus, VFMC
While the March sell-off destabilised portfolios, savvy funds used what Cbus Super's Scott Pappas called 'the mother of all stress tests' to gauge how well their portfolio managers shifted strategy and handled the duress.
Jessica SierSeptember 28, 2020
Absolute Returns Conference Digital 2020
China consumption story trumps US trade concerns
This year’s single-best trade was Chinese mid-cap semiconductor and tech stocks, according to UBS O’Connor's Kevin Russell. This illustrates how China’s domestic consumption economy allows it to combat any trade wars with the US.
Jessica SierSeptember 24, 2020
Absolute Returns Conference Digital 2020
Discussions to augment alternatives strategies happening right now
APRA's heatmap will be a catalyst for changes to partnerships and structures super funds use to execute alternatives and hedge funds strategies if discussions happening at the moment are anything to go by, Cambridge Associates's Travis Schoenleber has said.
Matthew SmithSeptember 24, 2020
Absolute Returns Conference Digital 2020
Interest rate declines hide mistakes; future growth cause for concern
Impact of central bank policy is plain to see in credit markets where the biggest concern is linked to future possibilities for economic-driven growth - GSO-Blackstone's Dwight Scott runs the numbers during a presentation at Investment Magazine's Absolute Returns Conference.
Jessica SierSeptember 24, 2020
Absolute Returns Conference Digital 2020
Macro investing has its time in the sun
The ongoing de-globalisation trend is certain to keep global macro strategies in the frame, with gold, currency and interest rates all likely to follow the cues of geopolitical and economic events, Graham Capital's Pablo Calderini explains.
Jessica SierSeptember 24, 2020
Absolute Returns Conference Digital 2020
Alternative strategies in the eye of the storm: Sunsuper’s Bruce Tomlinson
While Sunsuper's access to cash and public market meant its alternatives allocations weren't tapped for liquidity to facilitate early release payments, Tomlinson said he could take advantage of some more liquid ‘hedge fund-type’ investments during tumbling markets.
Jessica SierSeptember 23, 2020
Absolute Returns Conference Digital 2020
Consultants dial up transparency and culture assessment of alternatives
“Everyone loves to hear about culture now,” according to Willis Towers Watson's Sara Rejal, who noted during a panel discussion at the Absolute Returns Conference Digital 2020 conference on Wednesday that funds are interested in a broader due diligence particularly with its hedge fund and alternative strategy partners.
Matthew SmithSeptember 23, 2020
CIO profiles
Hardest hit unlisted assets present longer-term opportunities: Sunsuper CIO
Emerging evidence has helped funds refine their scenario planning to get a better feel for how investments will perform, according to Ian Patrick, who is considering a number of factors including lock down time frame changes and societal shifts in his forward economic and asset value assumptions.
Ben HurleySeptember 18, 2020
Industry
Costs absorption being considered for smaller super fund mergers
Industry is consulting with APRA to address the cost of merging, particularly among smaller funds where the cost to merge is preclusive to tie-ups progressing, experts have raised during an ASI digital conference panel discussion.
Matthew SmithSeptember 17, 2020
Absolute Returns Conference Digital 2020
Multi-asset investing taking on a new role: Vontobel’s Seiler
With savings plans failing to generate returns due to rock-bottom interest rates, Daniel Seiler from Vontobel Asset Management has predicted investors will begin to develop multi-asset portfolios rather than just cash, instead of just taking on straight equity exposure.
Jessica SierSeptember 17, 2020
Investment Strategy
Terminal value modelling a crucial cog for infrastructure investors: RARE’s Langley
Whilst an important variable, inflation is just one of the factors infrastructure investors are sharply focused on, as the asset class definition transforms and governments around the world navigate a changing economic and geopolitical environment, RARE's Nick Langley explains.
Matthew SmithSeptember 16, 2020
Investment Strategy
Finding ‘crisis alpha’ through systemic investing
Many may have argued central bank stimulus has destroyed trends and manipulated markets, but that doesn't mean new trends can't emerge, even if they are not as predictable, Kathryn Kaminski explains.
Jessica SierSeptember 16, 2020
Investment Strategy
AustralianSuper ‘re-risking’, Mark Delaney sees positive economic outlook
The world’s ability to manage Covid-19 will progressively improve over time, says Mark Delaney, the CIO of Australia’s largest superannuation fund, and the economic recovery has so far been faster than with other major recessions.
Ben HurleySeptember 14, 2020
Operations
Stretched investment committees ‘doing too much’
Pressure on investment committees has increased exponentially during the pandemic as the ‘realms of the investable have completely shifted’. Willis Towers Watson consultant Rebecca Bannon believes proper instruction, delegation, and efficiency are required to keep them ticking.
Tahn SharpeSeptember 9, 2020
Operations
Intra-fund is no substitute for holistic advice
The emerging advice gap has reinvigorated industry discussions about the future of advice and the part super fund advisers will play. While intra-fund advice plays an important role in the financial system, the data shows it is no substitute for full service financial advice.
Jason AndriessenSeptember 7, 2020
Operations
Life during early release: Funds need to maximise relevance
An outcome of early release is the trusted position superannuation funds find themselves in at a time when people are potentially the most vulnerable. Now is the time to use this trust to build engagement and confidence, Jason Andriessen writes.
Jason AndriessenAugust 3, 2020
Governance
APRA needs its own regulatory sandbox
APRA could consider encouraging and facilitating more innovation from the funds directly and from service providers in the ecosystem, Tahn Sharpe writes.
Tahn SharpeSeptember 2, 2020
Governance
IOOF positions itself in ‘mega fund’ pack with MLC deal
IOOF's deal to acquire MLC from National Australia Bank will catapult the diversified financial services group into the second-largest superannuation fund spot in the country by member assets and the largest based on platform funds under advice.
Matthew SmithAugust 31, 2020
Governance
Superannuation law: A matter of interpretation
It is no longer solely the domain of lawyers and judges to interpret the regulatory obligations placed on superannuation funds. It is an increasingly important skill for senior executives, risk, compliance, and even project and IT professionals.
Jonathan SteffanoniAugust 31, 2020
Sponsored Content
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The asset manager COO: future change agent?
Change has come thick and fast to the asset management industry in recent years, driven by developments in investment strategies, technology and regulation. But now, Covid-19 and the ensuing market volatility has propelled the industry’s change agenda, with Chief Operating Officers (COOs) at the centre of this trajectory.
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A new ‘normal’ in a post-COVID-19 world
Every Australian has by now been affected by COVID-19 in some way, some dramatically.
Leadership
The Biden effect: Dalio on market reaction to US election outcome
A Biden fiscal and economic stimulus reform would involve raising company and capital gains taxes, but it would also involve raising deficits to spend more, a-la Franklin Roosevelt in 1933, an approach that could turn out to be more positive for financial markets, Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio points out.
Matthew SmithSeptember 9, 2020
Leadership
Jeremy Cooper on reviews and the retirement system’s unfinished business
While the chair of the decade old Super System Review couldn't shed light on the current Retirement Income Review, he said If the superannuation system is being used for tax-advantaged inter-generational wealth transfers then those tax subsidies should be reviewed.
David BellSeptember 7, 2020
Leadership
Reputation, relevance, values and leadership underpin business success
Knowing your own values, purpose and ethics and leaving a positive social footprint is critical for individuals and companies. When what you say doesn’t match what you do, the disconnect can result in loss of reputation, trust and business, Garry Browne writes.
Garry BrowneSeptember 7, 2020
Insurance
Income protection clients need coaching more than therapy for chronic pain
A world-first “pain coach” trial between insurer AIA Australia and pain scientists including Professor Lorimer Mosley from the University of South Australia has produced some standout results.
Meredith BoothSeptember 14, 2020
Insurance
Confidence in the system needed to make good insurance decisions
Confidence needs to be restored quickly so people think about their insurance before they withdraw super or keep insurance going if they need it - CEO's of two of the country's largest insurance providers have said.
Meredith BoothAugust 21, 2020
Insurance
Pain coaching a “game changer” for life insurance industry: AIA Australia
Understanding an individual's "pain journey" can help when customers will get stuck in claims when they are dealing with chronic pain, Professor Lorimer Moseley, a pain scientist from University of South Australia explains.
Meredith BoothAugust 19, 2020
Retirement
Moral outrage at super system ‘justified’: Daley
The former Grattan Institute CEO isn’t pulling any punches in his assessment of the “sharp knife” that is our super system. The “20 to 30” billion dollars it costs to run our retirement savings each year may be terrific for people working in the industry, he says, but not for the rest of the country.
Tahn SharpeJuly 22, 2020
Retirement
Pension Loan Scheme provides a comfortable retirement
Most Australians believe they are ineligible but changes to a Government loan scheme may augment retirement income for many, says Rice Warner chief Andrew Boal.
Meredith BoothJune 24, 2020
Retirement
Early release and its impact on super preservation
There are many consequences of early access to super that go beyond the individual, says David Knox.
David KnoxJune 18, 2020
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November 12, 2020
Group Insurance Summit
SUITABLE FOR: Those who work within superannuation funds in executive roles and management or as a trustee or consultant.
The largest annual forum exploring the insurance trends affecting industry super funds. With a program developed for group insurance professionals by group insurance professionals, the event covers innovation in product design and the claims experience.
November 17, 2020 - November 18, 2020
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.
January 28, 2021 - January 29, 2021
Chair Forum
SUITABLE FOR: Superannuation fund and investment committee chairs.
The forum addresses how super fund and investment committee chairs balance their increasing range of responsibilities, including board governance, strategy and delegation, investment decision- making, the economic environment, risk management and strategic asset allocation.