2015 Market Outlook: "Looking forward, Looking back"

12 Feburary 2015: 12:00 - 2:00pm

2014 is now behind us, and the Australian equity market has essentially moved sideways since January. Interest rates have been on hold all year, and at record low levels of just 2.5%.  The Aussie $ has finally cracked previous support, and if RBA Governor Glen Stevens has his way, has further to fall. Meanwhile the US market has continued to outperform, and YTD is up 7.6%. 

By all accounts 2014 has been a difficult year for many investors, yet as at the end of November almost 60% of local fund managers had outperformed the market, while the best have returned over 20% since the start of the year.

So 2015 looms, with uncertainty probably being the major issue. Uncertainty about the markets, growth in the US and China, commodity prices, property and interest rates abound, while overshadowing all of those might be the performance of the government's handling of their first budget and the economy.

With that in mind, the subject of our first investor event in 2015 is aptly entitled "Looking forward, Looking Back". Join us to hear the opinion of four of our most respected fund managers reflect on 2014, and more importantly, provide their opinion on what the markets might hold in 2015, including:

• Simon Shields from Monash Investors,
• George Colman from Optimal Australia. 
• Monik Kotecha, Insync Fund Managers; and 
• John Corr from Aurora

Date:     Thursday 12th February 2015
Time:    12:00 - 2:00pm (light lunch will be served)
Venue:  Sydney CBD
Cost:     Complimentary for Investors and Advisors

To assist with catering and other arrangement please RSVP here and we will forward your ticket with full details of the venue. 

Jack Lowenstein, the Joint CIO of the Morphic Global Opportunities Fund discusses the Fund's performance in December 2014 and condition of the market.

Watch AFM's other videos.

Jack Lowenstein, the Joint CIO of the Morphic Global Opportunities Fund discusses the Fund's performance in November 2014 and condition of the market.

Watch AFM's other videos.

INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE

Efficiency in a Regulated World

18 February 2015, Ivy Ballroom Sydney

This industry-leading event will bring together those shaping the future of investment fund administration in Australia to explore the key issues defining investment operations over the next five years.

The event will showcase the latest developments in efficiency, technology, strategy, reporting, processes, compliance and custodian relationships, with a focus on reducing costs and increasing returns for your fund.

This is a must attend for chief executive officers, chief operating officers, and senior operations staff from superannuation funds, funds managers, custodians and other providers.

Key issues to be examined include:

View the full AGENDA and REGISTER before 15 December 2014 for early bird pricing.

For further information regarding registration please contact Elena Chatz, Conference Operations Manager.

ATTACHED FILESEfficiency in a Regulated World (pdf format)

Jack Lowenstein, the Joint CIO of the Morphic Global Opportunities Fund talks about how the
Fund performed in October 2014 and was positioned at the end of the month.

Watch AFM's other videos.

Global Megatrends and Innovations not available in Australia

13 November at Sydney Royal Exchange

Insync Funds Management would like to cordially invite you to an evening presentation on some of the powerful global investment themes that will help to build your wealth offshore together with a tasting of some truly interesting wines from all corners of the world.

Join us and learn:

• In a post-GFC economy what are some of the mega-trends that will shape the global economy over the next decade;
• The importance of investing in the knowledge leaders who are driving product innovation in their respective industries;
• What exceptional opportunities can be found offshore to complement your Australian shares portfolio.

Venue: The Royal Exchange of Sydney, 1 Gresham Street , Sydney

Date:    Thursday 13th November 2014

Time:    5.30 - 7.30pm

RSVP:    Click here to RSVP or call David Johns from Insync Fund Managers on 0412 679 136

ATTACHED FILESBest Cellars Night of Global Investment Themes (pdf format)

AIMA AUSTRALIA HEDGE FUND FORUM

16 September 2014 at the Softiel Sydney Wentworth

The AIMA Australian Hedge Fund Forum is a non-profit hedge fund conference organised by the industry for the industry, featuring quality Australian and international speakers sharing insights, reflections, war-stories and facts with hedge fund managers and investors.

Register now for the AIMA Australian Hedge Fund Forum - a non-profit hedge fund conference organised by the industry for the industry, featuring quality Australian and international speakers sharing insights, reflections, war-stories and facts with hedge fund managers and investors, including:

• How can Hedge Funds generate Alpha from Australia?
• Lateral insights into global investment opportunities
• ASIC presentation of survey findings with Q&A
• Family Office Investor Panel - How do Australian Hedge Funds access local & international Family Offices?
• Hedge Fund Investing - current landscape and challenges
• Asset Consultants and Advisors - how do we work with hedge funds?

I look forward to welcoming you to this very important industry event.

For all enquiries, please contact:

Michael Gallagher
General Manager, AIMA Australia
M: +61 (0)412 224 400, E: [email protected], W: www.aima-australia.org

To register for the conference please click here.

ATTACHED FILESAIMA Australia Hedge Fund Forum (jpg format)

AARIA ROUND TABLE 2014

Tuesday 9 September 2014 in Brisbane

We operate in the area of "real returns" and are eager to help our network of IFA's that operate outside the traditional static buy and hold methodology. This has led me to meeting the Association of Real Return Investment Advisers (ARRIA).

The Group has been established as a not-for-profit entity run by advisers for advisers. ARRIA is an initiative based on feedback and insights from advisers regarding the challenges that they face in using Real Return investment strategies, which they believe are able to deliver tangible solutions to meet their client's objectives.

ARRIA is hosting a round table discussion on Tuesday 9 September, from 12pm to 4.30pm, in Brisbane and offers a valuable opportunity to meet with likeminded advisers. The agenda for the round table is as follows:

Round Table 1: Agenda

• What are the implications of developing Real Return outcomes for PI and the regulators?
• Panel discussion - which alternative "strategies" work when?
• Panel discussion - what are the new investment opportunities, "access" methods (e.g. LICs), strategies, asset classes and investment flavours?
• Tool time
• Open Forum

Click here to register for the Round Table event, or if you would like more information please contact:

Philip Reid   |   General Manager
Association of Real Return Investment Advisers Limited (ARRIA)
ABN 82 99 168 267 623
GPO Box 5025, Sydney NSW 2001
T 0411-828 097   E [email protected]

The next Round Table event to be held in Brisbane will be on Tuesday 9 December 2014.

As an association ARRIA aims to:

• assist in setting and maintaining a higher level of professional standards for all Real Return Investment Advisers and all relevant Stakeholders in the real return investment industry.
• create an environment where all Real Return Investment Advisers and all relevant Stakeholders can network in appropriate forums to advance the exchange of information, best-practice and compliance issues;
• create an environment where all Real Return Investment Advisers and all relevant Stakeholders can leverage industry resources;
• assist with the gathering and dissemination of resources in order to help facilitate:
• the collation and provision of information of interest or relevance;
• the development and / or access of appropriate tools;
• access to and sourcing of relevant and appropriate expertise;
• liaise and co-ordinate communications with government, regulatory bodies, other relevant industry associations and general service providers in the real return investment industry;
• whether undertaken with or without other participants; to promote, organise, conduct and/or participate in meetings, lectures, seminars, study groups, conferences, education, training and counselling courses for the purposes of increasing and advancing the knowledge and understanding of all facets and issues affecting or related to Real Return Investment Advisers and all relevant Stakeholders in the real return investment industry;

The operations of ARRIA are overseen by a Board, under the direction of the associations' corporate constitution and guidance of the directors. Both Directors and the Board are elected by the members on a rotation policy.

ATTACHED FILESARRIA Round Table (pdf format)

2014 Financial and Media Markets Charity Regatta

Sydney - Friday 24 October 2014

The Hedge Fund Association, is pleased to be a supporting the ASX Thomson Reuters Charity Foundation 2014 Financial and Media Markets Charity Regatta, out of Middle Harbour Yacht Club, New South Wales. It will be a fantastic day, with lots of fun to be had by all. Full details of the Regatta can be found here.

The Foundation organises an annual charity sailing regatta. Up to 60 class one, two and three yachts are expected to take part. There is also a 150 person VIP spectator boat to follow the race with guests enjoying a superb lunch. A prize giving reception, BBQ and beach party is held at Middle Harbour Yacht Club after the race.

We would like to encourage yacht owners to donate the use of their yacht, with skipper and one or two experienced crew for the day. The Charity Foundation will source a ?sponsor and guest crew? for each yacht which will contribute towards the fundraising. Sponsors in cash and in kind are also needed for the BBQ, Sailing Shirts, Caps, BBQ, Beach Band, Drinks and Signage.

Program of the Day - 10am registration for 1pm race start

Enquiries regarding the Regatta can be directed to David Brocklehurst.

To enquire further about HFA membership please contact Adriana Kostov, Australian Regional Director, HFA

ATTACHED FILES2014 Charity Regatta (pdf format)

POST- RETIREMENT AUSTRALIA 2014 CONFERENCE

21st-22nd October, 2014, Grace Hotel, Sydney

Comprehensive and timely two day forum for high profile cross industry participants to provide updates, insights and ongoing discussion into the key issues central to achieving optimal financial outcomes for Australia's rapidly growing retiree sector.

(A "must attend" event, in a time of government belt tightening, regulatory reform and persistent global economic and market volatility)

Over two jam packed days delegates will be privy to a comprehensive range of topics including the political, regulatory, economic and social landscape and factors shaping the future of the post-retirement sector to in-depth examination of the funds accumulation, transition and post-retirement phases, to innovative retirement product options and asset allocation, risk considerations, optimising tax efficiencies, improved advice and data administration developments.

THE CONFERENCE WILL COVER:

• Political and regulatory factors driving the financial future for Australian baby boomers as they migrate across into retirement
• What Australia can learn from the northern hemisphere's approach to the ageing population dilemma
• Accumulating wealth for Super members to maximise retirement funds - Trustee perspectives
• Transitioning into retirement - examines the big questions and decisions to be made to pave the way forward for a comfortable retirement
• Engaging default members for better financial outcomes in retirement
• The increasing importance of sound and reliable advice
• Insights, trends and developments in Super and retirement funds administration
• Innovative retirement products and de-cumulated funds allocation strategies
• Working through the technical and operational complexities of new product implementation
• What?s happening in the SMSF sector post retirement?
• Increasing tax efficiency for retirees
• Future outlook - what will be the ultimate measure of success for retiree sector income, satisfaction and security?

Dates: 21st-22nd October 2014
Time: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Location: Grace Hotel, Sydney

Event AGENDA and booking form can be found here.

 

Bought to you by IBR Conferences. For further information call +612 9896 0776 or email Jay.

 

ATTACHED FILESiPARM Australia 2014 (pdf format)