Archives for 2019

Maple-Brown Abbott has rationalised its securities servicing arrangements, which previously included two custodians – RBC Investor Services and NAB Asset Servicing – by replacing them both with a new provider. Maple-Brown, which manages about A$10 billion, is understood to have appointed Northern Trust as its sole securities services provider. It should be pointed out, however,… [Read More…]

Successful investing demands a subtle blend of science and art, according to Russell Investments NZ institutional director, Noah Schiltknecht. Investors who neglect either element, or lay them on too thick, could end up facing an ugly shock, Schiltknecht told the Russell Investments NZ annual conference last month. “Both art and science have a positive effect… [Read More…]

For years the domain of sophisticated hedge funds, so-called ‘alternative data’ is gaining popularity among traditional fund managers and asset owners. Coupled with other advances, alternative data can give institutional investors an edge in both alpha generation and risk management. According to FactSet, a global data and technology provider, it is becoming almost impossible for… [Read More…]

The NZ arm of Australian-headquartered investment administration firm, Link, is road-testing an online discount broking service for NZX shares. Dubbed ‘ShareMeUp’, the Link online service would provide access to a “selected range of NZX listed companies” with no minimum brokerage, the test site says. “Fees start at 99 cents, with a maximum fee of 2%… [Read More…]

Long-time Mercer NZ identity, Russell Garrett, is to leave the business in June. After 11 years with the group, Garrett, currently Mercer head of institutional wealth NZ, will assume the role as executive officer for the Presbyterian Church Property Trustees (PCP) mid June. He already serves as a trustee for the investment group in PCP,… [Read More…]

Russell Investments has restructured portfolio management reporting lines and is looking to move to an ‘emulation’ model across its funds. Peter Gunning, Russell global chief investment officer, flagged the changes at the group’s NZ annual conference in Auckland last week. Gunning, who also serves as Russell CEO Asia Pacific, said the restructure had seen some… [Read More…]

MMC has filled its final top-level vacancy with the hire of Paul Riddick as head of unit pricing. Riddick replaces Scott McKelvie who took over as MMC head of registry last December. Due to formally join the Auckland fund administrator this week, Riddick comes by way of South Africa where he spent the last 20… [Read More…]

Harbour Asset Management has added to the growing concerns about the potential impact of capital gains tax (CGT) proposals on the relatively-clean NZ fund environment. In a paper published last week, Harbour says the Tax Working Group (TWG) proposal to impose a CGT on Australasian shares with different treatment for funds and direct holdings would… [Read More…]

The CIMA Society is to forge a closer association with Graham Rich’s Portfolio Construction Forum as the provider of educational services and is also looking at the possibility to expand into New Zealand and Asia, according to Pauline Vamos, the investment educational body’s chair. She advised the Society’s members, who number about 300, in March… [Read More…]

It’s all about the kids, Nikko Asset Management investment director global equity, Johnny Russell, told an NZ audience last week. Speaking at the annual Nikko NZ summit, Russell said investment in general should be targeted at building a better world for the next generations. But the current generational baton change would also determine “what and… [Read More…]