Global X launches commodities ETF on ASX
ETF provider Global X has launched the Bloomberg Commodity ETF (Synthetic) (BCOM) on the ASX.
A thriving and trusted financial sector needs media advocates
In his first outing for Investment Magazine, the new editor-in-chief of this publication argues that a healthy financial services sector needs media that provides more than just information and opinion. It also needs advocacy and leadership.
Jollie to step down as abrdn MD
Brett Jollie will step down as managing director of abrdn on 21 July due to the completion of the restructuring of the Australian arm of the business. His career with abrdn spans 23 years, including the last 14 years as managing director. His previous roles included head of distribution and chief operating officer. “This is … Read more
Different roles for different goals: the art of building investment teams
Three of the largest funds in Australia and New Zealand share key insights about how they structure and manage investment teams. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, with each fund approaching the issue differently, depending on its investment objectives and needs.
FAAA achieves over 8700 membership renewals
The Financial Advice Association Australia has achieved over 8,700 membership renewals in the 2024 financial year. AFA heritage members numbered 2489 across all categories at the start of the renewal process. In total, 1563 had transferred to the FAAA by 30 June, with 146 advising they were not planning to move. The remainder includes duplicate … Read more
Investors grappling with cost management challenges
An asset owner survey conducted by bfinance has found that investors worldwide are grappling with cost management challenges amid persistent inflation, heightened ESG requirements, and regulatory burdens. Nearly 200 asset owners (including pension funds, insurers, and endowments) in 22 countries were surveyed. The findings have been published in the ‘Investors’ Costs and Fees’ report, dated … Read more
ASFI begins work on sustainable finance capability
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute has begun work to improve capability across the finance sector and support a stronger pipeline of talent into the industry. Capability was identified in 2021 as one of the four pillars of ASFI’s strategy on ‘Leadership for Sustainability in Finance’, and the 2022 Progress Tracker highlighted the strong demand for … Read more
Mercer appoints three non-executive directors
Mercer has appointed three non-executive directors to its fiduciary boards. Sangeeta Venkatesan and David Hartley join both Mercer Investments and Advance Asset Management boards, while Jim Miller joins the Mercer Superannuation board. Venkatesan’s executive career spans over 25 years. She has worked across Asia, Europe, and Australia, focusing on product innovation and business transformation. Venkatesan … Read more
Drop the ‘size is good’ mantra: bigger isn’t automatically better
New research by the Conexus Institute finds scale does not deliver an ‘automatic win,’ and what matters most is whether funds – big or small – are skilled in developing and implementing their strategy.
Australian funds lag global peers on unlisted asset valuations
Scarce valuations, poor valuation methodologies and long redemption windows call into question whether members are getting a fair deal, experts say, as APRA signals higher standards are due.
Federated Hermes appoints investment director
Federated Hermes has appointed Sian Long as investment director of impact and sustainable equity strategies. Long has 15 years of investment experience, and has presented and delivered long-term asset growth in impact and sustainable equity strategies across institutional and wholesale clients. Before joining Federated Hermes, Long worked as a senior equity investment specialist for AXA … Read more
Nuveen launches RE strategy for private wealth clients
Global asset manager Nuveen has launched the Global Cities Real Estate Fund, its first locally-domiciled unit trust for Australian private wealth clients. Nuveen partnered with Commonwealth Private as an anchor investor to launch the strategy, with CBA seeding the vehicle. The strategy forms part of the real estate portion of Commonwealth Private’s model portfolios for its … Read more
