MLC subsidiary Plum Financial Services has built an asset allocation tool to help educate members about the investor characteristics associated with specific asset classes.
Magellan to launch four specialist global funds
Magellan Financial Group plans to launch four new global funds to be managed from Sydney, for the institutional as well as retail market, following the success of its $350 million listed investment company (LIC).
… as NZ Super’s links operations with corporate services
The New Zealand Superannuation Fund has appointed a chief operating officer, effectively joining up the previously separate investment operations and corporate services divisions.
Government forum hears complaints about ‘sales versus advice’ proposal
The Government held a forum of various funds management groups yesterday to discuss opposition to its controversial proposal to split financial services licences between advice and product sales.
S&P moves to bulk ratings for fixed interest managers
Standard & Poor’s has reviewed 30 Australian-based fixed interest managers and, for the first time, given them simultaneous ratings.
Vanguard looks to export its emulation fund concept
Vanguard Investments is looking at extending its emulation-style centralised portfolio capabilities to the US and Europe based on the success of the Australian experience, according to Nelson Wicas, principal of Vanguard’s asset allocation in the US.
Future Fund to learn from NZ Super mistakes
The Future Fund will not make the same mistakes as the NZ Superannuation fund, according to Paul Costello, Future Fund general manager, and former chief executive of the NZ fund.
APRA finds gaps between super funds’ risk policies and actions
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has found that the risk management practices of certain superannuation funds have strayed from their stated policies.
M&A and resources booms lead re-rated equities market
Record corporate returns, high merger and acquisition (M&A) activity and large retail investment inflows have precipitated a re-rating driven Australian equities market, according to BT Head of Australian Equities, Crispin Murray.
Peacock to chair UniSuper investment committee
Merv Peacock, the former chief investment officer at AMP Capital Investors, will become the new chair of the investment committee of UniSuper, following the appointment of two new independent directors to the fund’s board.
COIN to play host in boutique planning battleground
The Macquarie Bank-owned front-end software provider COIN is testing a new version of its system designed to attract boutique financial planning businesses.
Financial Synergy develops new compliance modules
Financial Synergy is looking at developing a number of compliance modules that can be sold separately to its superannuation administration system Acurity and will assist users with processes such as the new anti-money laundering (AML) requirements.
