January is a tough month to work. The weather is good, and cricket, tennis, the beach, sailing and sales offer attractive distractions. And that holiday break, no matter how short, has tampered with our usual rhythms, making it tough to get out of bed early for work. The frantic pace of December has slackened and while I'm sure there are plans and plots afoot, we've not yet become fully aware of them.
The corporate watchdog certainly did not take a long break. Actioned in January, nine directors were disqualified from managing corporations, 40 were removed for avoiding their responsibilities to creditors, two former Macquarie Bank employees were banned from providing financial services and ASIC also took steps to wind up some Melbourne-based investment schemes.
Appointments have continued to be made in January as an aftershock from pre- Christmas musical chairs. Here at IFA, we've not been idle. This week marks the launch of our new InvestorDaily website. Phase 1 of the website is now accessible to everyone at www.investordaily.com.au. It is free and subscribers to the InvestorDaily newsletter will have been sent a password with which to log in to the new site.
The new site combines the best of IFA, Investor Weekly and InvestorDaily news, Aspect Huntley (now Morningstar) stock information and Morningstar managed funds data. A full guide to the new website is featured on pages 16-17. I hope you enjoy the new site and continue to stay with us through this new phase of our development. I look forward to your feedback on all our publications. Meanwhile, I wish you all a very happy new year. I hope 2007 is filled with success, happiness and fulfilment for all our readers.
