Fisher Funds has moved closer to rationalising its triple-headed KiwiSaver suite with structural tweaks at two of the firm’s previously acquired schemes. Under changes introduced at the end of March, the Fisher KiwiSaver Plan (ex Kiwi Wealth) now shares the same formal management entity as the group’s flagship scheme and a more similar investment menu…. [Read More…]
Trans-Tasman traffic picks up for Aussie multi-affiliate fund distributors
Australian fund distribution group, GSFM, is eyeing up further opportunities in NZ after debuting this side of the Tasman with the roll-out of the Munro Partners climate-focused global shares fund this month. Munro, one of nine managers on the GSFM distribution menu, launched the international equities strategy as a wholesale portfolio investment entity (PIE) earlier… [Read More…]
The new advice age: Strategi lays out five-year plan
The NZ financial advice sector is on the cusp of a generational change as market dynamics, technology and consumer trends advance the once-cottage industry onto a slick, modern business footing, according to a new Strategi paper. Adapting a stack of global research for the local sector, the Strategi ‘Next gen advice: future-proofing your business for… [Read More…]
US fund giants collaborate in public-private product push
In a pact designed to break the private-public markets barrier, three of the largest US asset managers revealed plans last week to build institutional-grade multi-asset portfolios for everyday investors. The news comes amid a private markets goldrush that has seen many investment firms mobilising to meet demand now spilling over from institutions down to retail… [Read More…]
UK regulator digs into digital tricks and traps of online apps
Investors using online trading apps with a high level of built-in digital ‘engagement’ tricks tend to suffer significantly more losses than peers on less hectic platforms, a new UK study reveals. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) analysis of more than 176,000 online trading accounts across multiple online platforms over a seven-month period found a clear… [Read More…]
Decentral banking: BIS study flags crypto, new-FI systemic risks
A new Bank of International Settlements (BIS) paper has called for “tailored regulatory interventions” along with a new prudential framework to manage emergent systemic risks in the crypto and decentralised finance (DeFI) worlds. The just-published report argues that while DeFI and crypto have primarily served as speculative vehicles, the blockchain-based markets have become increasingly entangled… [Read More…]
Jarden dropped as JBWere wins naming game
FirstCape will ditch the iconic Jarden brand for its NZ wealth management network after a decision to combine the advisory group under the JBWere banner. In a release today, the joint Jarden-JBWere chief, Craig Patrick, said the single name would come into play “over the coming months”. Jarden and JBWere fell under the FirstCape conglomerate… [Read More…]
Top of the asset class: Mercer tables 2024 results
Unhedged global equities emerged as the number one asset class for the second year in succession while supplanting its private counterpart as the 10-year winner in the latest Mercer periodic table of investment returns. In fact, various shades of global shares occupied four of the top five spots in the 2024 calendar year returns for… [Read More…]
Wedge aims for slice of bank savings pie as licence approved
A new savings venture founded by former Fisher Funds fixed income head, David McLeish, is set to launch in about a month after gaining a managed investment scheme (MIS) licence last week. McLeish ended a 13-year stint at Fisher last August later establishing Wedge Management to target lazy money sitting in low-interest bank savings accounts… [Read More…]
Aurora global equities shake-up brings PIE triplet to NZ
The almost $400 million Aurora KiwiSaver scheme has reshaped its underlying manager line-up with three new global equity specialists replacing incumbents. As part of the refurbishment, the three Aurora-appointed managers – Brandywine Global, Pella and Munro Partners – have all launched portfolio investment entity (PIE) products to access NZ tax benefits for investors. Following the… [Read More…]