Bob Prince: Risk hedging: Overlays, currency and what remains of a defensive asset?
A conversation on the reimaging and redefining of defensive assets at a time when government bonds do not offer the expected tail protection.
Matt Stoller: Goliath: The 100-year war between monopoly power and democracy
A look at how concentrated financial power and consumerism transformed American politics, resulting in the emergence of populism and authoritarianism and the fall of the Democratic Party
YFYS performance test tweaks to enhance accuracy, transparency
The inclusion of administration fees and benchmarks for unlisted infrastructure and property investments headline amendments to the Your Future, Your Super draft regulation. While flaws remain in the design, most believe the performance test has been significantly upgraded.
Suncorp and Energy Super were LGIA’s two top targets: Kate Farrar
The deal announced today by LGIA to acquire Suncorp Portfolio Services was funded out of general reserves; the fund accumulated $100 million in general reserves over the last 10 years, mostly a result of capital it had set aside from conservative crediting rate estimates.
China’s growing influence: A threat or opportunity?
China is a simultaneous threat and an opportunity for investors. This session, with insights from one of the world’s foremost experts on geopolitics, looked at how to navigate a worsening geopolitical situation and what it means for economic growth. Is the current course a steady state, or are big shocks, for the better or for … Read more
Funds are deep in listed benchmark comparison analysis: Frontier
Funds well ahead of the listed benchmark will have the luxury of continuing to focus on their CPI-plus or peer performance expectations and not be too concerned about the YFYS test in the near term, Frontier’s Paul Newfield notes.
Vista’s Robert F. Smith on the role of tech and software in global societies
The software sector will continue to grow and evolve globally as emerging technologies continue to change the way we live and work, involving IoT, nanotech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, automated vehicles and 3D printing.
Pathway to inflation still uncertain: QIC’s Hill
While there have been moments when bond market reactions have flirted with the concept that inflation is closer than it has been previously, QIC’s Allison Hill sees no immediate confirmation that inflation is on the horizon.
Where did all the good people go? The problem YFYS has uncovered
Those good, independent people are stuck watching on the sidelines, wearied by the endless circular debate as one set after another of hard-fought reforms and sensible recommendations is overtaken by further proposed changes.
Pilar Gomez-Bravo | Fiscal tantrums, investment discipline and liquidity in the eye of the beholder
In episode 87, Alex Proimos speaks with Pilar Gomez-Bravo, director of fixed income at MFS.
Holistic equities approach needed for climate change action
Australia’s $2.9 trillion of superannuation assets are becoming an increasingly powerful force for action on climate change, but experts are calling for a more holistic approach to equities that covers the entire value chain.
Funds are holding 100s of millions in excess reserves: Analysis
Some of the country’s largest funds have in some cases accrued more than nine-times the operational risk financial reserve requirement set by APRA with a handful of large funds bulking up their general reserves.
