ASX report reflects improving conditions
Despite the pain in the Australian share market over the past year, the number of listed companies at the end of May was down just 1 per cent on a year ago, according to an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) activity report.
The total number of listed entities at the end of May 2009 was 2,205, compared to the slightly higher figure of 2,223 for the same time last year.
And despite there being only one new listing in May 2009 in contrast to the nine listings for the same period last year, a strong demand for stock saw the amount of secondary capital raised in May 2009 total $11.3 billion, up 305 per cent on May 2008.
Meanwhile, Australian volatility during May remained below that in the US despite a decline in US volatility over the past two months. Volatility levels moved towards levels that existed prior to the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September.
Future volatility expectations have also declined, according to the ASX report.
Recommended for you
A strong demand for core fixed income solutions has seen the Betashares Australian Composite Bond ETF surpass $1 billion in funds under management, driven by both advisers and investors.
As the end of the year approaches, two listed advice licensees have seen significant year-on-year improvement in their share price with only one firm reporting a loss since the start of 2025.
Having departed Magellan after more than 18 years, its former head of investment Gerald Stack has been appointed as chief executive of MFF Group.
With scalability becoming increasingly important for advice firms, a specialist consultant says organisational structure and strategic planning can be the biggest hurdles for those chasing growth.

