Features

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

Financial planners take the brunt of a tough year

As 2011 draws to a close, it is worth reflecting upon what a challenging year it has been for Australian financial services generally and financial planners in particular...

Editorial

Handling financial planning clients during periods of market volatility

How do you keep financial planning clients engaged for the long-term in an age of instant gratification and continuing market volatility? The answer may lie in the client...

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...

Editorial

When is it time to file for bankruptcy?

Troy Smith outlines what bankruptcy is, when it should be filed for and what income and assets would be available to creditors....

Editorial

The cost of playing by FOFA's rules

The second tranche of the Government's Future of Financial Advice legislation has laid out the remuneration and best interests ground rules for financial planners but, as...

Editorial

Investment and population - is bigger going to be better?

Tom Stevenson examines investment implications as the global population hits the seven billion mark....

Editorial

Financial planners end 2011 as they began it - uncertain

Australian financial planners seem destined to end 2011 in much the same fashion they ended 2010 - uncertain about the fine detail of the regulatory regime that will unde...

Editorial

The age of interest rate uncertainty

The decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates by 25 basis points in November might result in good news for both investors and the markets, according...

Editorial

Lifting financial planning professionalism requires patience

The Financial Planning Association seems determined to “raise the bar” on professionalism in the financial planning industry, but as Mike Taylor reports, this might take ...