The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has reinstated a list of Authorised Financial Advisers (AFA) on its website after a media report prompted industry concerns. After refurbishing its website late in March, the FMA removed the AFA list, redirecting interested parties to the Financial Services Providers Register (FSPR) for further information. However, a spokesperson for the… [Read More…]
NZ investors dip toes in multi-asset pool, Nikko
Local institutional investor interest in multi-asset solutions is starting to pick up, according Nikko Asset Management NZ chief, Peter Lynn. However, Lynn said while multi-asset investing “will become a huge part of Nikko’s global business”, it is likely to be a slow build in New Zealand. “While it’s early days in New Zealand some asset… [Read More…]
How to enhance enhanced-index strategies
Parametric Portfolio Associates has produced a new white paper – ‘Where Passive Falls Short’ – as a precursor to the firm’s launch of a range of tax-efficient smart beta strategies in Australia. A momentum-tilted tax-managed portfolio would have outperformed the ASX 200 after-tax by 56 basis points a year for 10 years. The paper, written… [Read More…]
Good governance 2: who is making the investment decisions?
In part two of his series on fund governance, Melville Jessup Weaver principal, Mark Weaver, explains why trustees need to institute a strong decision-making process to manage investments… and how to utilise input from their advisers Trustees might have the impression that they are required to make specific decisions on each investment held by… [Read More…]
NZ Super to manage $850m in-house as Milford stripped of duties, AMP replacement uncertain
The New Zealand Superannuation Fund (NZS) will be managing close to $850 million of local equities in-house after temporarily stripping Milford Asset Management of its mandate last week. In a highly unusual move, NZS pulled the $281 million active New Zealand shares mandate from Milford Asset Management on March 31, pending the outcome of a… [Read More…]
Nowhere to run to, nowhere to hide for retail investors as $6 billion corporate bond issues mature
New Zealand retail investors will have to crank up the risk or accept lower fixed income returns as a raft of high-yielding corporate bonds mature this year. About $6 billion in high-coupon local retail corporate bonds were set to retire this year with roughly one-third of that capital paid out in the first quarter. Grant… [Read More…]
Russell outsprints retail rivals in 2014
Russell Investments was the fastest-growing manager in the New Zealand retail funds market over 2014, according to new data released by Australian research firm, Plan for Life. The Plan for Life report shows Russell grew retail funds under management (FUM) by 76.6 per cent over the calendar year and a whopping 54.9 per cent in… [Read More…]
Hard line on reporting could provoke DIMS exodus
Many mid-tier discretionary investment management service (DIMS) providers will exit the market if the threshold for full financial reporting exemption is not raised, according to Nick Stewart, director of Hastings-based advisory firm Stewart Group. In a submission to the Financial Market Authority (FMA) consultation on DIMS financial reporting for “small to medium providers”, Stewart says… [Read More…]
‘Wholesale investor’ rules up for review
New Zealand’s financial watchdog is considering watering down ‘wholesale investor’ disclosure requirements after concerns raised by industry. In a consultation document released on April 2, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has sought feedback on proposals to dispense with the need to issue a warning to investors with $750,000 or more to invest in a product…. [Read More…]
Australia’s first major report on ‘robo’ advice market
Sophisticated investors aged 60 and over are among the fastest growing adopters of ‘robo’ advice globally and Australia’s self-managed superannuation fund market will be the next frontier for automated advice of various types, according to a report by financial services consultancy FinDigital and robo advice newcomer Ignition Wealth. The ‘2015 Automated Investment Advisors Global Market… [Read More…]