The $27 billion industry superannuation fund REST will push the button and go live with its internal, actively-managed Australian equities strategy in December, expanding on its established funds management capabilities in infrastructure, fixed income and cash. REST, which has been internally managing money for over 16 years, has been running a paper Australian equities portfolio … Read more
The pace of increase in internal investment teams at superannuation funds is increasing, according to an Investment Magazine survey. Feedback from 19 chief investment officers at some of the largest super funds found that 40 per cent are planning on adding internal capacity over the next three years. A year ago the same survey found … Read more
In a bid to protect members’ data and money from hackers, First Super is considering the practicality of completely isolating its member database from the internet. Under its plan, no terminal that can access the master database will be connected or connectible to the internet. This might seem far fetched and some in the industry … Read more
Industry superannuation fund members have gained the ability to appoint a financial adviser to manage their superannuation and invest on their behalf, using the UBS Direct to Member platform. In a move that sees the industry and corporate super funds more closely replicate the benefits and features of a self-managed superannuation fund, members can appoint … Read more
Jana Advisers has seen three quarter of its recommended active equity managers outperform against their benchmarks over the past year. Steven Carew, head of research at the firm, says the success rate of 75-80 per cent is attributable to near ideal conditions for stock pickers. “The dispersion between and within markets is quite wide so … Read more
Funds should start preparing for a steady growth in member activism over investments before portfolio disclosure requirements come into force on July 2014, says Danielle Press, chief executive of EquipSuper. While the numbers of members targeting funds is low, the impact could be greater owing to the way replies to questions are being posted online. … Read more
The simple member-comes-first focus of running an industry fund will make a welcome change from managing retail superannuation funds, Scott Hartley has said in his first public interview as chief executive elect of Sunsuper. The former general manager of National Australia Bank’s corporate and institutional wealth team is moving from Sydney to Brisbane to take … Read more
Unisuper has issued a ‘buyer beware’ warning on the prospects of its high performing Global Environmental Opportunities fund. The fund has attracted the attention of members after it returned 45 per cent after tax to the end of September for a small group of members who now invest $85 million within it. It is entirely … Read more
Two of Australia’s biggest institutional investors have called current equity markets fair value despite a year-long spike in prices. Both AustralianSuper and the Future Fund acknowledge the susceptibility of markets to bad news around high government debt in developed markets, but are not nervous about valuations. Innes McKeand head of equities at Australian Super, said: … Read more
The creators of the principals behind Stronger Super regulation are to publicly assess how far the industry and the regulator have progressed in enacting their vision. Both Jeremy Cooper and Paul Costello will be talking in Sydney and Melbourne at the Investment Management Consultants Association in Sydney on November 26 and in Melbourne on November … Read more
State Super Financial Services will review the composition of its board in 2014 and consider adopting the Cooper Review’s recommendation of three employer, three employee and three independent trustees. The $13 billion advice firm and superannuation fund is owned by the $40 billion SAS Trustee Corporation. The SSFS board is chaired by former chief executive … Read more
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has admitted some areas of compliance for insurance in superannuation are “devilishly tricky” for funds. The comments were made by Greg Brunner, general manager-supervisory support division at APRA at an Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees symposium in Melbourne. Brunner told an audience of trustees there were “significant” transition and implementation … Read more
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