Global X names CEO
ETF provider Global X has named Alex Zaika as its CEO, replacing Evan Metcalf who resigned last month.
What happens if investors remove China from emerging market and global indexes?
Whether investors include China in emerging market exposures ultimately depends on risk tolerance and views on the outlook for the country. Northern Trust Asset Management deputy chief investment officer and chief investment officer of global equities Michael Hunstad says investors, particularly passive index investors, do not necessarily need to accept China’s weight in the index as a given, and there are options available for those who wish to make adjustments.
Emerging-market benchmarks are about country-picking
Selecting the right benchmark and tracking the toing and froing of countries within the index are essential tasks for emerging-market investors, and how countries are classified by index providers can make a big difference to returns – which means even passive investors face an active decision in choosinq which index to track.
Funds keen but stay cautious on emerging markets
Australian asset owners continue to see value in emerging market equities despite an extended disappointing run for the asset class, as they bet on growth and economic diversification to deliver longer-term returns. But the composition of indexes and capturing expected GDP growth of emerging economies remain challenges.
A long and winding road to a better place for members
The competitive forces shaping mergers in the superannuation industry aren’t necessarily focused on quality, but rather, on the blunt metric of scale. Whether that’s good for members or not is debatable, but what’s not in question is that complex and often protracted transactions – such as the merger of TelstraSuper and Equip Super recently announced – need to be managed adroitly to get the best out of them, for everyone concerned.
Higher rates, central bank divergence set to lift volatility
A higher interest rate environment, increasing divergence among major central banks, and geopolitical uncertainty are some of the major risks that global top asset owners and managers are bracing for in coming years, the Fiduciary Investors Symposium at Stanford University has heard.
Super sector’s dirty little secret of pension minimums
The revelation that superannuation funds are preventing low-balance members from accessing an account-based pension raises ethical alarm bells. The widespread practice places a potential handbrake on the poorest Australians entering pension phase and arguably threatens the grand bargain with the Australian public on compulsory super.
Low-balance super members denied access to account-based pensions
A little-known administrative hurdle is prohibiting tens of thousands of poorer Australians from accessing the tax-free account-based pensions, as most super funds have placed a minimum balance requirement – as much as $50,000 at funds including AustralianSuper and HESTA – on retirees to apply for an ABP. Super Consumers Australia’s Katrina Ellis suggested the ‘outrageous’ practice may be illegal.
ASIC case against REST dismissed
The Federal Court has dismissed ASIC’s case against REST Super for alleged misleading representations of members’ rights to transfer money out of the fund.
REST Super appoints general counsel
REST has named Duncan Whiteside as its general counsel, who joins from MetLife Australia.
IFS chief executive to depart
Industry Fund Services CEO Csaba Baranyai has stepped down from the industry fund-owned service provider, effective 25 October 2025.
Employers required to pay super on every pay cycle from 2026
From 1 July 2026, employers will need to make super contributions to employees on ‘payday’ instead of quarterly, as payday super measure kicks in.
