Features

Another tough quarter for AMP’s life business

AMP’s life insurance arm had a $24 million loss in Q3, half of which came from lapsed policies....

David Urquhart explains why Asia has under-performed this year – but also why the outlook for Asian stocks is strong....

Editorial

Is a ‘Son of Wallis’ review of financial services looming?

A close reading of the submissions so far lodged with the Senate Committee investigating the operations of ASIC suggests the newly-elected Abbott Government will be right...

Editorial

Focus of profit reporting season shifts to outlook commentary

As continuous disclosure rules now ensure that the profit reporting season is short on surprises, the focus is now firmly on the future and on ‘outlook commentary’, write...

Editorial

ASIC set to crackdown on financial planner payments

There are suggestions that ASIC may have concerns about “transition” and “retention” payments made to financial planning principals, and as Mike Taylor reports, perceptio...

Editorial

Challenger logs another strong quarter of annuity sales

Challenger confirms 31 per cent quarterly increase in life annuity sales....

Editorial

Tailoring exposures for Australian investors

Australians have sought offshore diversification for years. The logical extension is to think more deeply about how to make offshore exposures complement local ones, acco...

Editorial

Getting started in commercial property

Investors are increasingly convinced of the real estate story, attracted by a healthy income return and long-term capital growth without the volatility of the share marke...

Editorial

Where ASIC fears to tread?

ASIC arguably chose a poor strategy when it sought to reassure consumers about its inaction on matters relating to the Reserve Bank of Australia-related companies, Secure...

Editorial

The new economy: flexibility is key

With both bonds and equities looking set to struggle if inflation rises, it will be important to limit exposure to them via diversification and dynamic asset allocation, ...

Editorial

Singing from the same hymn sheet

Financial advisers should beware dealer groups that promise them the world during the courtship phase but fail to deliver once the marriage contract is signed, writes Ann...

Editorial

Philanthropy and financial planning – a gift that keeps on giving

Although many people’s approach philanthropy is to leave a bequest in their will to a favourite charity, Tabitha Lovett argues that giving while living is a much more rew...