The dawn of the multi-asset fund

Some of the most vindicated fund managers in a lacklustre year for markets are those running dynamic multi-asset funds. Funds run by the likes of Aviva Investors, Invesco, Schroders and Standard Life Investments are in line for a string of institutional wins by the end of the year. All lived up to their promise in … Read more

WA Super appoints Towers Watson as asset consultant

WA Super has appointed Towers Watson as asset consultant of its $2 billion investment portfolio for a three year initial term. The Perth based fund said Towers Watson was selected because of its breadth and depth of global research, the strength of its investment beliefs and investment strategy formulation process, as well as its innovation … Read more

The serial director: A profile of Qantas Super’s chair

The chair of Qantas Super, Anne Ward, has an extensive and eclectic background working in the boardroom including as chair of Zoos Victoria, the Centre for Investor Education, a director of the Foundation for Imaging Research, and a governor of the Howard Florey Neuroscience Institutes. Investment Magazine speaks to the woman who has made a … Read more

NZ Super: on a higher plain

From being self-reliant on asset allocation to employing a partnership style with its managers – based on the mutual exchange of ideas – NZ Super has an advanced approach founded on the confidence of its investment ideas. Investment Magazine visited the NZ $29.6 billion fund to find out how it does this. On the climb towards the optimal … Read more

Global economy and markets in perspective

Delegates at the Fiduciary Investors Symposium, Balgownie Estate, Yarra Glen, Victoria will take part in a day long debate across multiple presentations on November 17 as to where opportunities lie in a valuation stretched world and how they can persuade their investment committees to accept changes to asset allocation to capture these. Olga Bitel, economist … Read more

Cbus plans to grow investment teams in Sydney and Melbourne

Cbus is looking to grow its investment teams in Sydney and Melbourne, with the fund advertising three new positions. It is seeking an investment specialist of private markets transactions; a manager of investment communications; and a manager of investment risk and performance. The latter two will be based in Melbourne, while the role of investment … Read more

SSFS changes name and unveils masterplan

SSFS has given other super funds a statement of intent on its desire to be a national partner of choice for advice. The pension fund and financial planning company has changed its name to StatePlus and has spent $50 million to broaden digital access to its advice to include web chat, mobile phone and interactive … Read more

Super funds enter dialogue on developing asset class

Superannuation funds including Australian Ethical Super, Christian Super, First State Super and UniSuper are presenting at a summit designed to help find ways to get risk adjusted returns in impact investing. The inaugural Impact Investing Summit, due to be held next week at Dolton House, Sydney, is bringing together 70 leading organisations from around the … Read more

Murray decries ‘wartime footing’ of retail, SMSF and industry fund sectors

David Murray is urging the government not to get bogged down in sectional interests in superannuation when making new policy. The chair of the Financial System Inquiry (FSI) made the comments at the CFA’s Australia Investment Conference in Sydney, where he hit out at what he saw as the sectional positioning since the publication of … Read more

Simple steps to increase gender diversity

Changing the way in which job adverts are written and requiring search firms to include relevant female candidates have been recommended to increase gender diversity in the investment industry. Heather Brilliant, CFA board member and chief executive of Morningstar Australia, told attendees at the CFA Societies’ Australia Investment Conference in Sydney, that single sex investment … Read more

CFA Institute urges members to ‘renounce profit maximisation’ and embrace professionalism

The global head of the CFA Institute, Paul Smith, has urged the investment community to embrace professionalism and “renounce profit maximisation” as two critical steps towards restoring trust with investors. Speaking at the CFA Societies Australia Investment Conference in Sydney, Smith (pictured) described the investment management industry as being at “something of a crossroads”. “Trust … Read more