‘Investment diplomacy’: ART chair lauds super’s soft power role

Outgoing Australian Retirement Trust chair Andrew Fraser says superannuation funds can claim some credit for the Albanese government’s handling of geopolitical risk and the volatile Trump White House in a parting ode to the $4 trillion sector’s growing global influence. But the comments to the corporate regulator’s annual forum came alongside a warning from ASIC Commissioner Simone Constant that member experience should be just as paramount as super’s market and economic power.

SQM trial will be test case for research industry

SQM Research is assessing its next steps after ASIC announced it will take the researcher to court alleging due diligence failures over SQM’s role researching the Shield Master Fund. This is the first time ASIC has taken action against a research house and a potential trial will become a test for the responsibilities of researchers and the extent to which it is viable to research multi-asset funds.

Why asset owners should dare to rethink renewables investment execution

When the government’s intervention in the local energy market leads to reduced supply, that’s the time to invest rather than to draw back, the Fiduciary Investors Symposium has heard. Asset owners at the symposium were also told that they might need to ‘have a little bit of a look’ at how they execute in the renewables market to make sure they’ve got it the right way around.

Value investors pivot to global markets amid America’s AI euphoria

Barrow Hanley is cutting exposure to US markets where valuations have become increasingly stretched despite strong company fundamentals and switching into Europe, Japan and emerging markets. The manager warned that AI’s ability to be monetised is still “an unproven bet”.

Actuaries pinpoint ‘guidance’ as key to retirement advice reform

The Actuaries Institute has urged the government to get on with the job of finishing its Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms and move on to the introduction of “guidance” as a bridge for super funds to use between fact- or information-based help and full-blown financial advice.

Meaningful simplicity is the key to empowering retirees

Designing the retirement experience to meet the real needs of members requires collaboration across the ecosystem, and focusing on meaningful simplicity will provide many Australians with clear pathways to the dignified retirement they deserve. That means making every choice as straightforward as possible and supporting members at each step.