Investment News

The Australian Future Fund had a relatively rosy 2024 but is sticking with its prediction that the global economy will become more fragmented and difficult to navigate for even the largest and most sophisticated institutional investors. Australia’s sovereign wealth fund returned 12.2 per cent over 2024, adding $26 billion of value and bringing total funds… [Read More…]

The $18 billion plus Westpac-owned funds management group BTNZ is to in-source registry function in a rare administrative move. BTNZ chief, Nigel Jackson, said the manager opted to internalise registry following a review of the “operating model and an extensive RFP process”. “We’re keen to deliver the best possible experiences for our customers and believe… [Read More…]

NZ fund managers can look forward to significant climate-reporting relief under a raft of measures put forward late in 2024 including a tiered compliance system expected to be in place by the end of this year. In addition to a delay in mandatory carbon emissions audits (among other amendments) contained in an October consultation, the… [Read More…]

Veteran Magellan head of investments and listed infrastructure leader, Gerald Stack, is to step down amid a portfolio management reshuffle at the ASX-listed fund manager. Stack, who joined Magellan in 2007 soon after the company was founded following an eight-year career at Capital Partners, will officially depart in July to “ensure a smooth transition of… [Read More…]

Under-pressure Franklin Templeton affiliate, Western Asset Management (WAMCO), has clocked-up about US$120 billion of net outflows since fraud allegations emerged at the fixed income firm last August. In its December quarter results released last week, parent company, Franklin Resources, said WAMCO would likely see a further US$17 billion exit the manager in January following US$68… [Read More…]

“In the thrilling world of craps, the number seven holds a peculiar position—it can be your best friend or your worst enemy, depending on how the game unfolds,” warns the gambling/tourism website Comped Travel. Betting on seven has also proven the winning trade for investors over the last few years as a handful of ‘magnificent’… [Read More…]

When making predictions for the year ahead, it’s important to consider not just the upside and downside scenarios, but the outside possibilities that could throw everything into disarray. To that end, New York Life Investments (NYLI) has taken upon itself the difficult, near impossible task of trying to spot the high-impact, unpredictable events that could… [Read More…]

Australian superannuation funds will face closer scrutiny of their private asset holdings this year in a first-of-its-kind probe, a senior regulator told an industry gathering last week. Simone Constant, ASIC commissioner, said the regulator was “conducting surveillances of the financial reporting and auditing of targeted super funds, with a particular focus on expenses and valuations”…. [Read More…]

The world’s largest sovereign wealth fund just made its largest return ever. But the probability of extreme market events has “arguably risen”, and it’s carrying out stress tests for a more uncertain future. Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global made around 13 per cent over 2024 (2,511 billion kroner/A$357,460,938) – a “very strong year”, and in… [Read More…]

NZ retail funds under management surged through the $200 billion threshold in the September quarter, according to new Plan for Life (PFL) figures, as market share trends continued on pace. The Australian researcher found average FUM-growth of almost 6 per cent during the quarter for the NZ retail fund sector, driving the total to more… [Read More…]