The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) super fund has reintroduced fixed income to its default investment option, having abandoned bonds in 2007 on the basis that its ‘target return’ portfolio of unlisted assets could provide higher returns with less volatility. Leeanne Turner, deputy executive director (superannuation) at MTAA, said the fund had not made any recent adjustments to its unlisted holdings, however it had changed the strategic asset allocation of the default, or balanced option, to include a small allocation to fixed interest. The strategic asset allocation has risen from zero per cent in the balanced option for Australian and international fixed income in October 2008 to 1 per cent each, with a range of 0-10 per cent.
Smaller hedge fund industry more attractive
The third annual Absolute Returns Funds conference for super funds, produced by Investment & Technology, canvassed a range of issues faced by super funds in assessing alternative investments.
GREG BRIGHT and MICHAEL BAILEY report.
AustralianSuper puts major group risk challenge to Tower
AustralianSuper puts major group risk challenge to Tower
The incubators are at it again
Six months of rising markets have finally done it. They’ve restarted the boutique incubation industry, which has seen more deals get done in the past few weeks than it has in the few months preceding them.
The great currency debate
Many super funds had to write out big cheques last year. They needed to cover their currency hedging positions over international assets as the Aussie dollar tumbled from near parity with the US to around 60c at its low point. As a result, and notwithstanding a subsequent recovery in the $A, future defensive strategies are being explored.
National Australia Bank recently held a one-day conference for super funds and managers to debate various aspects of the currency dilemma.
GREG BRIGHT reports.
The great currency debate
Many super funds had to write out big cheques last year. They needed to cover their currency hedging positions over international assets as the Aussie dollar tumbled from near parity with the US to around 60c at its low point. As a result, and notwithstanding a subsequent recovery in the $A, future defensive strategies are being explored.
National Australia Bank recently held a one-day conference for super funds and managers to debate various aspects of the currency dilemma.
GREG BRIGHT reports.
