Alternative assets are in, domestic equities are out, according to the latest Willis Towers Watson (WTW) annual survey of the world’s largest pension markets. In a statement, Roger Urwin, WTW global head of investment content, said pension funds have driven the two asset allocation trends primarily as risk management strategies. “The persistent economic uncertainty is… [Read More…]
Inverse asset relationship could reverse in 2016: PIMCO
Investors relying on a negative correlation between equities and bonds could face a shock in 2016, according to a new analysis by global fixed income giant PIMCO. The PIMCO 2016 asset allocation outlook says investors relying on the traditional stock/bond counterbalance should beware if the year ahead features stagnant growth combined with rising inflation expectations… [Read More…]
Mint refreshes analyst team with ex pat hire
Former BT Funds NZ analyst, David Fyfe, has joined Mint Asset Management in a similar research role this week. Fyfe, who served a five-year stint at BT from 2006 alongside current Mint executives Paul Richardson and Anthony Halls, most recently worked as a derivatives analyst for the UK Lloyds Banking Group. Prior to Lloyds, he… [Read More…]
Investors look for inexpensive protection as nervousness rises
There’s growing evidence that investors large and small are increasingly nervous about the short-medium-term future for both equities and bonds. For some investors this nervousness probably extends to property, as well. So, what do they do about it? Tumbling oil prices and the slowing Chinese economy are said to have been the main causes of… [Read More…]
Buffett at the table as US fund chiefs prepare long-term corporate governance menu
The world’s most famous investor is amongst a cabal of US asset management heavyweights designing a new set of corporate governance guidelines to lift the focus on long-term goals, the Financial Times reported last week. According to the FT story, the group of upper-echelon fund managers have held a series of “secret summit meetings” –… [Read More…]
Out-of-the-box solutions: how technology is meeting the advice and compliance challenge
Craig Meek, founder of award-winning NZ fintech company, SuiteBox, reprises his explanation of why the advice revolution will be televised Technology doesn’t eliminate the need for the adviser or accountant. However, it will radically change the advice process and ultimately make life easier for everyone. Clients expect more than ever from their professional advisers… [Read More…]
Fund disruptor targets big change for small-time NZ/Aus investors
Not since the development of ETFs has there been a potential disruptor in funds management like this. A group of international equities managers has launched a performance-fee-only plus pay-for-research series of funds, with full transparency of holdings and with administrator Fundhost’s first all-electronic application and redemption process. The firm, Atlas Trend, has designed its business… [Read More…]
Staples scheme gets final notice as SBS bulks up
The Staples Rodway KiwiSaver scheme will officially close its doors at the end of March after earning regulatory approval for a bulk transfer to the SBS-owned Lifestages. Graham Duston, head of SBS wealth management subsidiary Funds Administration NZ (FANZ), said the group expected more than 90 per cent of the approximately 3,300 Staples Rodway scheme… [Read More…]
Study finds bonds had more fun over last 20 years as growth lost its groove
Shares have underperformed on a risk-adjusted basis for NZ investors over the last two decades, according to a new analysis by actuarial consulting firm Melville Jessup Weaver (MJW). The study, which back-tested three notional portfolios over the 20 years to end December 2015, found that despite an overall favourable period for stock markets, growth-heavy investors… [Read More…]
Property manager kicks off 2016 licensing charge as MIS queue builds
NZX-listed property manager, Augusta Capital, has beat the 2016 rush to enter the managed investment scheme (MIS) regime, joining the licensed ranks last week. The MIS queue is expected to be hit by a log-jam of investment managers over the next few months in readiness for the December 1 final transition date. All NZ fund… [Read More…]