An uncertain political climate effecting the surety of supply combined with increasing demand for infrastructure assets continues to put pressure on demand/supply dynamics, two leading Australian infrastructure investors agree. AustralianSuper and HOSTPLUS, who will be speaking at the Private Asset Conference in March, confirmed that low interest rates and a move away from equities has … Read more
Superannuation funds and institutional investors worldwide are due to have a bigger impact on the way government and our society is run over the next 10 years, predicts Ross Barry, head of research at First State Super. Barry, whose recent book Crisis and Complexity, charts the change in economic theory through each major financial crisis … Read more
Energy Super has fashioned tailored insurance products for energy industry workers. The fund has experienced an increase of income protection insurance claims, as well as TPD, prompting the creation of a range of policies to better meet member requirements. Mark Williamson, Energy Super chair, explained the one-size-fits-all approach is poor practice. “Insurance is very important … Read more
The Future Fund has shifted its allocation away from developed markets equities and debt securities as it uses dynamic management to reduce risk levels at the margins. The volatile environment in global markets has led, in the past year, to a portfolio reduction of 360 basis points of equities in developed markets, a 130 basis … Read more
Chris Bowen MP, shadow treasurer, says that a bipartisan agreement on the objectives of superannuation can be reached. Addressing seventeen leaders of the superannuation industry, including chief executives of funds, directors of financial services companies and prominent thinkers, in an event hosted and created by Conexus Financial and Perpetual, Bowen asserted that clear objectives for … Read more
A move to low volatility and quality equity strategies has seen State Super Financial Services (SSFS) reduce volatility by up to 30 per cent in more than half of its equity allocation. The $15.3 billion fund, which runs pension portfolios for retirees from State Super across nine different investment options, took the decision three years … Read more
NSW infrastructure sales could benefit from the QLD election as funds reassess their strategy, says Harvey Kalman, Equity Trustees’ head of EQT corporate fiduciary and financial services. All asset sales of Queensland’s $37 billion privatisation program are on hold as businesses reel from the huge swing against the one-term Newman government. “It is a shame … Read more
Ten super fund chief investment officers earned more than their chief executive in 2013/2014. Six of these earned more than their chief executive before bonuses, with the remaining four surpassing the chief executive because of bonuses. Jim Christensen, chief investment officer at Telstra Super, out earned his chief executive by $551,515, the greatest difference in … Read more
Financial crises occur every nine years on average and each time they occur they reset finance theory – fiduciaries should beware. This is the central theme of a book Crisis and Complexity written by Ross Barry, the head of research at First State Super, which explores a dozen economic and financial catastrophes since the Mississippi … Read more
A sustainable life insurance system in the superannuation industry is two years away, as product design is still lacking, JP Morgan believes. While insurance markets profitably peaked in 2014, based on underlying trends, life insurance products, such as total and permanent disability cover, have hit industry funds hard with the rate of claims and payments … Read more
A greater focus on strategy and asset allocation rather than smaller matters is a simple step for boards and investment committees to improve fund performance, delegates at the Conexus Financial Chair Forum heard last week. Discussing the relationship between good governance and investment performance, chair of the investment committee at Equip Super, Andrew Pickering, said … Read more
Providing advice to members to think about an income in retirement, rather than taking a lump sum is “making a contribution to their lives”, says Neil Cochrane, chair of First State Super. Speaking on a panel session at the Conexus Financial Chair Forum on the Mornington Peninsula from January 18-20, Cochrane talked about how chairs … Read more
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Investment Magazine provides in-depth, monthly analysis of trends and developments for all the businesses in which superannuation funds engage‚ including asset allocation, investment manager selection, custody and fund accounting, member administration, group insurance and compliance.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land upon which Conexus Financial sits, the Cadigal of the Eora Nation. We recognise their continuing connection and unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and community. We pay our deepest respects to them and their culture, and to Elders both past and present.
