Features

Savvy consumers to transform financial services

2012 will be the year of the savvy consumer - and the financial services industry is preparing for this new trend, writes Jim Minto....

Editorial

Will US housing steady the economy it wrecked?

While experts expect more glum US housing statistics for 2012, the normal motions of economic cycles indicate there is a recovery on the way, writes Michael Collins....

Editorial

Index investing - not necessarily glamorous, but effective

Damien Frawley maintains index investing is still fresh after four decades....

Editorial

A rough ride ahead for global markets

World markets are in for a rough ride in 2012, but Australia is well positioned to survive another potential global recession, according to Dr Shane Oliver....

Editorial

Facing the truth about FOFA

If the parliamentarians involved in the Parliamentary Joint Committee reviewing the FOFA bills put aside their political affiliations then they will back some key amendme...

Editorial

Do share markets have nowhere to go but up?

All the signs are showing that the share market is reaching its low point, argues Dominic McCormick....

Editorial

Does Bill Shorten's promotion come at the expense of objectivity?

Bill Shorten's mega-portfolio combining workplace relations with financial services will create a complex dynamic if the Government is to act appropriately on any Product...

Editorial

Bill Shorten's mega portfolio a reward for factional power

The linking of Workplace Relations and Financial Services reflects factional clout rather than good governance....

Editorial

Will China follow Japan into economic stagnation?

Japan's economy has been a basket case for two decades, while China's has boomed. Yet Robert Keavney suggests that China may face some of Japan’s problems....

Editorial

Are REITs still a worthwhile asset class?

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are worth persevering with as an asset class, even if allocations within a portfolio are low for the time being, according to Tim Fa...

Editorial

Financial advisers, surveillance and their place in insurance claims

Col Fullagar looks at the issue of surveillance during claims management and the financial adviser’s role in making sure the client is treated fairly. Is surveillance an ...

Editorial

Australia's financial planners set to pay a heavy price for euro crisis

The political clock is ticking and, as Mike Taylor writes, global economic reality may overtake the Government’s policy agenda before it can deliver proof of a Budget sur...