Servicing the complex advice needs of the HNWI market can be tricky, but for advisers who successfully manage this group's requirements, the rewards are substantial. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
The current market conditions present an excellent opportunity for financial advisers to expand their client base, however, a planning firm's marketing capability is often their weakest link. Victoria Papandrea reports. ... read more »
The FPA has called for its members to move to a fee-for-service remuneration model by 2012. Darin Tyson-Chan examines the implications of the proposed change for dealer groups and their attitudes to it. ... read more »
Income Financial advisers have traditionally shied away from recommending equity release products, such as reverse mortgages, to clients. However, as retirees' savings fall as a result of the global downturn, these products may have to be considered more seriously. Wouter Klijn reports.... read more »
A common perception exists that sustainable responsible investment fund managers underperform their conventional counterparts. However, longterm performance figures show this is not the case. Vishal Teckchandani examines the ethical investment sub-sector of the funds management industry.... read more »
The 2009 IFA/Financial Recruitment Group Salary Survey reveals the impact of salary and hiring freezes on financial services remuneration in the past 12 months. Kate Kachor examines the survey findings.... read more »
Cash became king in 2008 as equities around the world plunged and investors ploughed cash into term deposits. Vishal Teckchandani examines the cash phenomenon and looks at the strategies of the main players.... read more »
This year is unlikely to be one to celebrate for the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector, with the strongest REITs expected to survive, while the weaker vehicles fall by the wayside. However, opportunities exist amid the gloom. Wouter Klijn reports. ... read more »
Financial advice educators are divided over the state of the industry. Some believe the industry's education is heading towards a phase of evolution, others fear it is on the brink of devolution. Kate Kachor reports.... read more »
International equities may see a strong increase in demand as investors start to embrace diversification but will it be to the active managers or the index trackers. Wouter Klijn reports. ... read more »
Following a tumultuous year for global capital markets, research groups say it is time for financial planners to get back to the basics of investing and revisit the role of fixed income within a client's portfolio. Vishal Teckchandani reports.... read more »
Turbulent markets and lower revenues have seen more buyers enter the acquisition market searching for opportunities, while others vendors are withdrawing in the hope markets will recover soon. Julie May reports. ... read more »
The number of boutique fund managers has proliferated in recent years. Christine St Anne assesses the outlook for those that chose to go it alone and how they are steeling themselves against the market crisis.... read more »
As the mid-point of 2009 approaches, thoughts turn to tax. HLB Mann Judd tax partner Peter Bembrick shares his tax-effective strategies for small to medium-sized enterprise clients.... read more »
Despite being caught up in the global financial crisis, agribusiness remains a solid investment option that offers opportunities for investors. Kate Kachor reports.... read more »
Australia's financial planning industry is in a state of flux, with industry players lashing out at their peak association, as well as each other. FPA chief executive Jo-Anne Bloch has called for unity and calm.... read more »
Many investors who have lost money over the past months are starting to wonder whether they couldn't do it better themselves and are considering SMSFs.... read more »
As a wave of redundancies engulfed the financial services industry at the end of last year, the ability to generate revenues provided a life raft for some.... read more »
There are several problematic pieces to the professional indemnity insurance puzzle that the financial planning industry is yet to solve.... read more »
Financial advisers' are urging greater care in portfolio construction while fund managers are seeing good opportunities to buy some equities, reports Vishal Teckchandani.... read more »
Investor demand to protect investments has given Australia's capital protection sector a much-needed boost. However, much still needs to change for the sector to thrive, reports Kate Kachor.... read more »
Most economists agree the world is in the midst of the most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Even the sturdiest of companies have needed to take drastic measures to keep their credit barrels filled. But providers of financial planning software say the crisis has only modestly affected their ability to replenish revenue cups.... read more »
IFA managing editor Julia Newbould visited China late last year with a group of advisers invited by Premium China Funds to investigate the investment potential of the country. The trip left many surprised by what they found.... read more »
What began as a sub-prime lending boom that fuelled house prices in suburbs from Elk Grove, California, to Windy Ridge, North Carolina, came full circle in 2008 and turned into the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Vishal Teckchandani reports.... read more »
The past six months has been an eye opener for the global financial planning industry. In the wake of institutional giants collapsing and a free falling market, the flow-on effects have now been felt at the planning coalface.... read more »
The Australian listed property trust sector is going through one of the most difficult periods since its existence, as concerns over high debt have hammered share prices. But for trusts with a solid capital position, the current environment offers opportunities that may secure profits for years to come.... read more »
The current economic turmoil could not have provided a better environment to test whether previous finalists of the IFA Best Practice Awards indeed have superior business models. ... read more »
IFA reveals the results of its latest Dealer Group Survey, including the top 100 dealer groups, and provides analysis of the winenrs and losers, adviser movements, funds under advice and platforms.
Eternal optimists always look for a silver lining, so is there an upside for financial planning businesses to the current market downturn? Fiona Harris reports.... read more »
Embracing environmental sustainability may be on the minds of most Australian corporations, but it seems much more can still be done to tackle the threat of climate change.... read more »
Many financial advisers have been seduced by the rising economic prosperity in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). However, BRIC nation equities have endured a horror run so far this year, burning many financial advisers and investors caught up in the emerging market hype. Vishal Teckchandani reports. ... read more »
The date may not be set, but exiting a business is inevitable for all business owners. Julie May discovers why putting a succession plan in place is more important than ever before, and why having one can maximise the value of the business and ensure its legacy lives on.... read more »
To begin with, I assume every person reading this article believes they are honest, they contribute to the wellbeing of their clients and they have truth as a guiding principle in their business relationships.... read more »
The boutique funds management sector has enjoyed phenomenal growth in the past few years. But as the credit crisis reached Australian shores at the end of last year, investment returns started to fall fast, and boutiques have certainly not been spared. Wouter Klijn reports.... read more »
The financial planning software market is currently dominated by two providers, Iress and Coin, however, Darin Tyson-Chan discovers some smaller players are now developing their own systems in an effort to obtain technology to improve the advice process for everyone.... read more »
The Australian share market enjoyed four straight calendar years of great returns, however, the 2008 financial year proved to be a difficult one for most investors. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
It may take some time before French asset managers make the inroads in Australia that they have in the European funds industry, but the establishment here of some of France's biggest asset manager brand names indicates they are serious about making a start, Karin Derkley reports.... read more »
The phenomenal returns of recent years from traditional asset classes have limited the interest of superannuation funds and institutional investors in hedge funds. However, the market downturn could change all that. James Dunn reports.... read more »
Education and training are the key components to remaining relevant to members, Victoria Papandrea finds as she talks to the industry associations.... read more »
Understanding the machinations of government and our legislative and regulatory systems is a mystery to those living and working outside the nation's capital. Our man in Canberra lifts the lid on how governments can change rulings in the financial system. Here he profiles the progression of an idea to a ruling as happened in the case of managed investment schemes in 2007.... read more »
US fund managers find establishing a presence in Australia more difficult than they first anticipate. Vishal Teckchandani looks at the bumpy road US managers travel to build their reputations and funds under management locally.... read more »
In trying to make sense of the crowded investment product market, advisers and dealer groups have traditionally outsourced the research function to specialist providers. But in the wake of recent high-profile manager failures, dealer groups are becoming increasingly aware a blow-up on the APL is their responsibility.... read more »
Although aggregators have been buying up big in the marketplace, recent market volatility has curtailed some of those activies. Marta Wiaceck looks at what the aggregators are doing now market conditions have dampened the environment.... read more »
The lure of boutique funds management remains strong for Australian fund managers despite financial market volatility and tightening economic conditions. James Dunn looks at what's happening in the boutique sector in Australia.... read more »
IFA recently assembled a roundtable of investment managers and research heads to discuss what's happening the multi-manager space. They spoke about the impact of the current market conditions, new products and where the sector is heading.... read more »
Fixed interest should stay true to label and stick to its diversification role, with industry experts urging investors to painstakingly research the risks involved and to ensure their portfolios are truly diversified. Jane-Anne Lee reports.... read more »
It has been three years since the beginning of the disaster that was the Westpoint mezzanine finance schemes. Regardless of the passing years, the anguish from the collapse continues to be felt. Kate Kachor reports.... read more »
A recent court case involving the Westpoint collapse has left an individual adviser facing the full brunt of the client claims. Financial services lawyer Mark Halsey asks whether this is a preview of things to come.... read more »
Financial planner, paraplanner and BDM salaries are once again on the rise, according to the latest Financial Recruitment Group Salary Survey. Jane-Anne Lee reports.... read more »
Technology is transforming the distribution of individual life insurance - but not all agree on the right platform for its delivery. Karin Derkley reports.... read more »
Property investment remains in a holding pattern as investors adopt a wait-and-see stance. But there are still good opportunities to be had. Jane-Anne Lee reports.... read more »
Easy rider Julia Newbould dons her leathers for the annual financial services Corners 4 Kids charity ride and discovers it's the journey that's important, not just the destination.... read more »
With the axe set to fall on non-forestry managed investment scheme tax breaks, Madeleine Koo examines whether this spells the end for such products and the advisers who give them business.... read more »
IFA celebrates its 400th issue by taking a look at the movers and shakers, the deals and the issues that have characterised the industry since Investor's Advisor was first published in 1999.
The time is right to review margin lending clients' managed funds, equities and risk profile, according to some in the industry, while others believe the climate is tood for entering the margin lending market. Jane-Anne Lee reports.... read more »
The current investment market has prompted advisers and investors to look at alternative strategies, including warrants, spread trading and gold. Stephen Blaxhall reports.... read more »
Market volatility and the need for capital protection have thrust structured products into the spotlight recently. Stephen Blaxhall speaks to product manufacturers, researchers and advisers about the place of these products in the current market climate.... read more »
IFA wraps up the major industry issues of the year, including the continued rise of boutiques, the sub-prime crisis, the massive inflows into superannuation, M&A activity and changes on the regulatory front.
WB Financial has taken out this year's Best Practice Award. Stephen Blaxhall spoke with the group's principal Paul Carroll about what he believes puts his business head of the pack.... read more »
There was little change in the rankings of dealer groups by size in the first half of 2008 compared to the six months to December 31, 2007.... read more »
Financial Services Partners (FSP) has claimed the number one spot for most advisers gained over the first six months of 2008, the IFA Dealer Group Survey shows.... read more »
Most top independent boutiques and large dealer groups saw their funds under advice (FUA) per adviser slowly erode from December last year as the S&P/ASX 200 slumped into bear market territory.... read more »
The departure of advisers played a key role in financial planning groups boosting funds under advice (FUA) per adviser amid the market turmoil.... read more »
Super funds need to revamp their advice structures to cater to generations X and Y, which will hold 84 per cent of super assets by 2028.... read more »
Current market data
08:09
All Ordinaries
3826.60
48.60
Dow Jones
8280.74
223.32
NASDAQ
1446.28
0.00
Gold
931.50
0.00
$A vs $US
79.68
0.00
Arun Abey
Portfolio strategies with ipac's Arun Abey....
Kate Kachor
A view of the planning industry from IFA's editor... read more »
