Investment News

The jury is out on whether the passive investment boom distorts market fundamentals, a recent paper by index provider FTSE Russell argues, with further evidence required to settle the case. In its report titled ‘The growth of passive investing: Has there been an impact on the US equity market?’, FTSE Russell debunks some concerns that… [Read More…]

Westpac has sold its infrastructure asset manager Hastings to London-based Northill Capital, for a reputed $160 million, handing over the management of a range of funds that own a diverse portfolio including ports, toll roads and airports. The sale follows an earlier withdrawal by property specialist Charter Hall with NZ’s Morrison & Co also understood… [Read More…]

After a buoyant five-month stretch global institutional investor confidence dipped into negative territory in October, according to the latest State Street Global Exchange data. The monthly State Street ‘Global Investor Confidence Index’, which analyses actual institutional trading patterns rather than subjective surveys, fell below the neutral 100 score in October, indicating a souring market mood…. [Read More…]

Research Affiliates, arguably the inventors of ‘smart beta’, have raised the question that even though interest rates may be pushed up soon due to regulatory action, it is possible that bond prices are not in a bubble. Contrary to the consensus, maybe sovereign bonds are at fair value. In a recent paper, Californian-based Research Affiliates,… [Read More…]

Following the collapse of its legally-fraught takeover bid for NZ trustee roll-up, Complectus, Australian firm Sargon Capital has embarked on alternative expansion plans this side of the Tasman via a recently-acquired subsidiary. Sargon Capital, which operates the Trustees Partners firm across the Tasman, has begun its assault on the NZ back-office market with a search… [Read More…]

Milford Asset Management has reformed its share register with a swathe of staff equity-holders including CEO, Troy Swann, swept under a new entity, Mitre Peak Nominee 1. Following the changes implemented on October 2 over 15 staff share parcels representing about 18 per cent of Milford equity were transferred to Mitre Peak. Michelle Corse-Scott, Milford… [Read More…]

Most so-called ‘crypto-currency’ products and services offered to retail consumers in NZ would likely fall under the aegis of the regulator, according to Garth Stanish, Financial Markets Authority (FMA) director capital markets. Stanish said the rise of crypto-currencies and related offers such as so-called initial coin offerings (ICOs) had both regulators and consumers scratching their… [Read More…]

There is some debate as to what firm set up the first asset consulting business in Australia and New Zealand – either the old Frank Russell Co or the old Towers Perrin. But the year they both set up shop, in Sydney, is certain – 1986. They and the firms that followed them changed the… [Read More…]

Managed funds will soon be included in a new NZ financial product comparison site that already aggregates information on all KiwiSaver schemes, mortgages, credit cards and loans. Launched in the last month, Pocketwise – whose founders include SavvyKiwi chief, Binu Paul, and Richard Dellabarca, the recently-appointed head of the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund –… [Read More…]

Retirement savings regimes must adapt to changing employment patterns including the rise of the ‘gig’ worker, according to David Knox, Mercer Australia senior partner. Knox said as traditional work-for-life careers disappear in favour of less-structured employment paths – such as the walk-on-walk-off individual contractual arrangements constituting the so-called ‘gig economy’ – retirement savings providers need… [Read More…]