Super SA launches new fund for low-income earners

The unique governance structure of state government funds has led public sector fund Super SA to develop a new scheme in response to the Commonwealth’s Low Income Superannuation Payment (LISC). Introduced last year, LISC helps low-income earners save for their retirement, by refunding the 15-per-cent tax deducted from concessional contributions (salary sacrifice and/or employer contributions) … Read more

VicSuper, Australian Ethical Super move to after-tax benchmark

VicSuper and Australian Ethical Superannuation (AES) have both implemented a new FTSE after-tax benchmark for their Australian equity portfolios, which collectively amount to more than $2.4 billion of assets under management. The move signals a greater push among super funds to report after tax to investors, with a focus on the return after tax and … Read more

Investors divided by volatility

The critical political, social and economic circumstances in Europe are top of mind for many investors. Last month Conexus Financial, publisher of Investment Magazine, hosted a group of Australia’s leading investors to discuss the opportunities in European distressed debt. Investors were joined by guest Sir David Cooksey, former board member of the Bank of England, … Read more

The shadow lands of finance

Australia likes to boast about its well regulated financial and banking system, but out there in the shadows of the industry some strange things have happened. Firstly, the spotlight was on the so called “shadow brokers” – around 650 of them who trade the ASX and Chi-X markets through intermediaries and thereby avoid regulation from … Read more

QANTAS Super: the $6-billion fund

It’s not “rocket science,” says Anne Ward, but QANTAS Super has a set of six guiding principles that it believes is guiding good governance and improving fund performance. The QANTAS Super mission statement, said Ward, is to be a “fund of choice” for QANTAS employees and their families, and while, as corporate fund, it may … Read more

AMP goes property shopping offshore

With a scarcity of good local assets, property investors are increasingly looking at the UK and Northern Europe Australian property investors continue to be encouraged by valuations in the global market, with AMP Capital announcing its first US acquisition since the global financial crisis. The AMP Capital Global Direct Property Fund, which counts man key … Read more

Equities “sweet spot”

Leading equity manager says the market is leaving tail risk behind The Australian equities market was in a “sweet spot for risk assets” in 2013 as tail risk receded and monetary policy provided a “positive backdrop,” according to a leading fund manager from Tyndall Investment Management. Tyndall’s head of Australian equities, Bob Van Munster, addressed … Read more

Equities “sweet spot”

Leading equity manager says the market is leaving tail risk behind The Australian equities market was in a “sweet spot for risk assets” in 2013 as tail risk receded and monetary policy provided a “positive backdrop,” according to a leading fund manager from Tyndall Investment Management. Tyndall’s head of Australian equities, Bob Van Munster, addressed … Read more

IFM lands a stake in Manchester Airport Group

Airports are firmly on the agenda for institutional investors, with Industry Funds Management moving into UK assets and a battle brewing in Australia over Melbourne and Perth Airports. IFM this week announced it would take a 35.5-per-cent stake in Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which has just succeeded in acquiring London Stansted Airport for £1.5 billion. … Read more

IFM lands a stake in Manchester Airport Group

Airports are firmly on the agenda for institutional investors, with Industry Funds Management moving into UK assets and a battle brewing in Australia over Melbourne and Perth Airports. IFM this week announced it would take a 35.5-per-cent stake in Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which has just succeeded in acquiring London Stansted Airport for £1.5 billion. … Read more