David Chaplin

Mercer has gone with MUFG Retirement Solutions to replace BNP Paribas Securities Services NZ as registry provider for its suite of more than 80 wholesale investment funds. MUFG, formerly known as Link Market Services, has picked up most of the handful of BNP Paribas wholesale registry clients looking for a new home after the French… [Read More…]

Family offices have continued to cut their exposure to cash as they chase riskier assets against a more constructive macro backdrop, according to the latest data from Citi Private Bank. The analysis, based on investment assets held by 1,200 of Citi’s single family office clients, found a “modest” renewal of interest in fixed income even… [Read More…]

Harbour has named Chris Wilson as co-CEO to serve alongside founder, Andrew Bascand. In a note, Harbour says Wilson will “focus on areas like key client relationships and distribution” while Bascand retains responsibility for the newly enlarged manager’s investment outcomes and research. “Facing into distribution is an all-encompassing role,” Bascand said. “So it’s great to… [Read More…]

Just 15 KiwiSaver providers logged positive net transfers from other schemes, according to the just-released Investment News NZ (INNZ) annual survey of the sector, in a competition dominated by Milford. Over the 2023 reporting period 20 schemes ended up ahead after netting out transfers to and from other providers. In a stand-out year for Milford,… [Read More…]

The NZX has pencilled-in a “simplification” and rebrand across its combined Smartshares and SuperLife product range as well as a quartet of new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for release by year-end. In its half-year results presentation last week, the NZX revealed a plan to simplify the Smartshares fund structure and rationalise its product range on a… [Read More…]

The first tranche of community trust 2024 annual reports show solid returns for the year along with an uptick in sustainable investment allocations. For instance, the Otago Community Trust boosted its bottom line by about $34.3 million over the 12 months to March 31 following an $11.4 million loss last year while almost quadrupling exposure… [Read More…]

Australian investment distribution house, Bennelong Funds Management, has opened up a new catastrophe bond option for institutional and wholesale investors on both sides of the Tasman. The cat bond product roll-out follows a deal inked with, Leadenhall Capital Partners, last October to distribute strategies offered by the insurance-linked investment specialist in the Australasian market. Founded… [Read More…]

Exchange-traded fund (ETF) investors are losing out compared to counterparts in similar index strategies via unlisted products likely due to over-trading, according to a new Morningstar study. The annual Morningstar ‘Mind the gap’ analysis of US investor behaviour found a marked discrepancy in individual returns between passive-style ETFs and managed funds. In the study, Morningstar… [Read More…]

The Australian financial regulator has issued a greenwashing avoidance guide in the wake of its recent crusade against the practice that saw almost 50 ‘interventions’ over the 15 months to June 30. Over the last two years the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has won three civil court actions against Vanguard, Active Super and… [Read More…]

Family offices are becoming more professional, moving up the risk spectrum and growing their global footprint as they build increasingly sophisticated and diverse investment portfolios, according to a new study by Ocorian, a global provider of trust, administration and fiduciary services. The study of 300 family office professionals managing a collective $155 billion of assets… [Read More…]