The recent push by the SEC in the US and ASIC in Australia for greater transparency on fees has reignited the debate about what is fair and reasonable when it comes to asset management fees. The two main sides to the debate predictably defend their respective positions with managers cast as greedy and investors portrayed … Read more
One of the key themes to emerge from the Financial System Inquiry interim report is that product disclosure – both in banking and superannuation – isn’t working. Few in the superannuation industry would disagree. All of us are acutely aware that very few super fund members read the fine print and – frankly – who … Read more
The PRI is investigating the experiences of asset owners that have engaged service providers in long-term mandates, and conducting a literature review on long-termism, in a bid to develop a reference guide on how to implement a long-term mandate and drive long-term behaviour. Managing director of PRI, Fiona Reynolds, says the starting point, and initial … Read more
An Australian superannuation fund is being singled out for possible legal action over a failure to engage with its members on the risks of sudden carbon price movements within its portfolio. The Asset Owners Disclosure Project (AODP) has sought legal advice from law firm Baker & McKenzie on how superannuation funds might be breaching their … Read more
The Fund Executives Association (FEAL), in conjunction with T Rowe Price, has launched a resilience partnership with strategic leadership development firm, Rezilium, to enable super fund executives and their teams to access resilience coaching. Joanna Davison, chief executive of FEAL, said the partnership was recognition that executives often struggle to cope with the conflicting imposts … Read more
Its influence is growing. The government cites it. AustralianSuper uses it in its Super To Income Converter web calculator. Financial advisors find it a more tangible way of explaining retirement goals than replacement rates of income. It is used in the metrics of the QSuper cohort funds, so that whenever it shifts in value the investments … Read more
On August 20, those responsible for providing group insurance through superannuation will meet in Sydney to discuss ways of making it more sustainable. Here are some of the ideas that will be aired. 1 The industry must work together to find answers The survival of group insurance depends on funds, trustees, regulators and insurers working … Read more
Other than Cochlear and CSL there are not too many world beating companies from Australia, but one billion dollar globally successful idea that might be overlooked is Mercer Superannuation. Launched from Melbourne in 1996 by Bruce Cook, it has turned into a business that looks after US$50 billion in North America, US$25 billion in Europe … Read more
Leeanne Turner, chief executive officer of the Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund (MTAA Super), has been named the fund executive of the year by FEAL. This is the second award won by MTAA Super in 2014 after the chair of its board, John Brumby, was named trustee of the year by the Australian … Read more
The volatility of equity markets has been low for several years and consequently the cost of put-options that pay out in the event of a market slump are cheaply priced. But is it an appropriate strategy for institutional investors? Three experts give their views. Buy-now Jerry Haworth, chief executive and chief investment officer of 36 … Read more
The Grattan Institute report, Super sting: how to stop Australians paying too much for superannuation, has caused much consternation in superannuation. Some have looked briefly at it and hoped it would go away, but many of its findings have been taken up by the Financial System Inquiry. Now, Jim Minifie, productivity growth director of the … Read more
Superannuation funds are winning their efforts to make Australian companies adopt long term thinking, according to Andrew Gray, investment manager, governance at AustralianSuper. Longer-term remuneration structures are coming into place and there is a greater acknowledgement of environmental sustainability and dangers. Part of the shift in behaviour is due to AustralianSuper’s growing ownership of ASX200 … Read more
The investment intelligence behind Australia’s largest asset owners and their teams
In-depth interviews with leaders, experts and visionaries in the institutional investment community
Updates on the latest industry policy developments and regulation
The challenges and innovations of custody, technology and operational due diligence
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.
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