Financial planners look to add value amid volatility



The choppy markets of the last few months have led to a 65 per cent rise in the usage of MLC's volatility toolkit since its launch in August.
The toolkit is aimed at making it easier for advisers to talk to their clients about volatile markets. It includes video presentations, client talking points, templates for client letters (either MLC-aligned or unaligned), client flyers and investment briefings.
MLC Investment Management general manager for product Sam Hallinan said curbing emotionally charged decisions was crucial to preserving clients' portfolios.
"Long-term research shows that investor behaviour either adds or detracts from someone's long-term wealth accumulation, more than the actual investment they are in," Hallinan said.
The current volatility in sharemarkets gives financial planners an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the value of advice to their clients, he added.
The most recent client talking point document (5 October) features short answers to topics such as 'Why has the Australian dollar fallen recently?', and 'If Greece defaults, what does this really mean for me?'.
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