News
31 Aug 2014 - iPARM Australia 2014
Investment Performance Measurement, Attribution & Risk Management 2014 Forum
15-17 October 2014,
8:30am - 5:30pm, Grace Hotel, Sydney
- The 5 things every performance measurement professional must know
- Key implications in risk & performance measurement and management
- Using Attribution to truly improve the investment decision making process
- Long horizon performance -Why is it so relevant to superannuation funds?
- Case Study- Insourcing performance analytics
- Risk regulatory landscape- impact & opportunities for institutional investors
- Post-Conference Workshop: Introduction to Performance Attribution
26 Aug 2014 - Platforms & Wraps Conference
Platforms and Wraps Conference - Money Management
27-29 August, Hunter Valley, NSW
The platforms and wraps sector is changing and providers are under pressure to deliver innovation and aggregation, which are the keys to ongoing success and financial sustainability in this highly competitive market.
You are invited to hear from more than 30 leading experts who are coming together to discuss the issues and challenges facing the sector at Money Management's Platforms & Wraps Conference.
The conference involves:
INNOVATION AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP TO DRIVE THE INDUSTRY:
- International speaker Mark Polson will share insights into the UK platform market and shed light into some corners of the market that some wrap providers would rather remain in the dark.
- International speaker Christopher Faddy will discuss the globalisation of managed accounts.
- Dr Robert Kay will give a keynote presentation on innovation and decision-making for growth and how to overcome challenges to growth.
IMPORTANT INDUSTRY UPDATES AND THE LATEST RESEARCH FINDINGS:
- Richard Wormald, General Manager, Financial Services, Coles, will talk about the supermarket giants entering into financial services and what this means for the industry.
- Vanessa McMahon, Managing Director at Wealth Insights, will provide a rundown of trends, inflows, market dynamics and key themes.
- Christina Kalantzis, Principal at Alexis Compliance & Risk Solutions, will talk about complying with RG148.
Plus many more CEOs, managing directors, and heads of insurance and platform services will explore the strategies needed to drive innovation and success in a changing industry.
Read the Conference Agenda here, and also the Network social events planner
Click here to Register
(unique offer available to www.fundmonitors - early bird rates)
There are also numerous networking opportunities, including a wine tour of Hope Estate, with a two course dinner, beverages and entertainment, along with a pre-conference golf day.
There are limited spaces remaining! Register for Money Management's Platforms & Wraps Conference, and join thought leaders and your peers at this premier event.
For more information, visit www.investmentplatforms.com.au. Alternatively, call 02 8484 0957 or email [email protected]
Money Management would like to thank their sponsors:
Platinum Sponsor: GBST Bronze Sponsor: BNY Mellon
21 Aug 2014 - ARRIA Round Table - Melbourne
AARIA ROUND TABLE 2014
Tuesday 26 August 2014 in Melbourne
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 26th August, from 12pm to 4.30pm, in Melbourne 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 Melbourne will be on Tuesday 25 November 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.
14 Aug 2014 - AIMA Australia Education Forum
AIMA Australia Education Forum
Presented by: AIMA Australia
Thursday 14th August 2014 from 12:15 - 2:00pm, Sydney, NSW
Topic
The next AIMA Australia education forum will be held on Thursday 14th August. The forum will discuss regulatory, tax and other issues, as well as current observations and insights associated with a range of hedge fund investment products, including Australian unit trusts, Cayman funds, UCITS and listed investment companies.
It is a "must attend" event for hedge fund managers reviewing their current products or considering development of new products.
Date and Time
Thursday 14th August, a light lunch will be available from 12.15 - 12.45pm, with the forum to commence at 12.45pm and finish before 2pm. Please note that food and drink cannot be taken into the theatre, so please arrive early if you wish to eat.
Speakers
Nikki Bentley, Partner, Henry Davis York
Nikki has extensive experience advising fund managers, product issuers and service providers on all aspects of their businesses. She specialises in business establishment and structuring, product development, Australian financial services licences, funds management business acquisitions, wholesale and retail product disclosure, distribution and compliance.
With more than a decade's funds management experience in private practice, government and as an in-house lawyer, Nikki's practice spans the range of funds management products, advising on alternative investment products, Australian and international equities trusts, property trusts, debentures and cash management trusts.
Nikki recently advised on the establishment and offering of capital guaranteed offshore alternate investment vehicles to Australian and New Zealand retail investments raising in excess of AUD$1.4 billion; the formation of an Australian subsidiary of a large UK financial services group and advising a group of institutional investors on range of structures that would allow them to access private equity and illiquid investments costs effectively.
She is the Honorary Legal Counsel and Chair of the Regulatory Committee for the Australian branch of the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) and is a member of the Investment and Financial Services Council (FSC) Regulatory Issues and Product Rationalisation working groups.
Nikki is recognised as a leading lawyer in the areas of Financial Services Regulation and Investment Funds by Chambers Asia Pacific 2014, 2013 and 2012. She has also been listed as an expert in Funds Management in Best Lawyers since 2013.
Allan Mortel, Director, Taxation, Moore Stephens
Allan has over 15 years? experience providing tax advice on a wide range of corporate tax, international tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) matters to privately owned businesses, multinationals and listed companies.
He is an industry expert in the financial services and not-for-profit sectors, writing articles on tax issues and making submissions on taxation reform for both these sectors. He has also presented the annual tax updates at the Property Funds Association (PFA) Research and Compliance Roadshows and the Hedge Fund Operations Forums in Sydney.
Allan is the Chairman of the Moore Stephens Australia Tax Group and a member of the Moore Stephens Australia Asian Markets Group.
Host
UBS AG, Theatre, Level 4 Chifley Tower, 2 Chifley Square, Sydney
(please note - entrance is via the Bent Street lifts, not the main foyer)
RSVP deadline
Tuesday 12th August. There is a limit of two attendees per organisation.
If you would like to attend this education event, please click here to register. If you have any specific regulatory issues you would like Nikki to cover if time allows, please include them in the box provided on the registration form.
11 Aug 2014 - ARRIA Round Table - Sydney
AARIA ROUND TABLE 2014
12 August 2014 in Sydney
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 12th August, from 12pm to 4.30pm, in Sydney 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 Sydney will be on Tuesday 11 November 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.
10 Aug 2014 - Financial System Inquiry
Financial System Inquiry - Public Forum
Presented by: The Committee of the Financial System Inquiry
The Committee of the Financial System Inquiry invites members of the public to attend a Public Forum to discuss the Inquiry.
The Chair of the Inquiry, Mr David Murray AO will attend each forum with members of the Committee. The forums are open for anyone to attend and provide an opportunity for members of the public to hear about the Inquiry, ask questions of the Committee, and raise issues for examination by the Inquiry.
Forums will be held in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney during August, with venues to be advised shortly.
Interested persons can register online.
Dates
- Perth: Wednesday 13 August, 6pm - 8pm - venue tba
- Melbourne: Thursday 14 August, 6pm - 8pm - venue tba
- Brisbane: Tuesday 19 August, 6pm - 8pm - venue tba
- Sydney: Wednesday 20 August, 6pm- 8pm - venue tba
If you would like to attend this education event, please click here to register.
10 Aug 2014 - Continuing Professional Development
Continuing Professional Development
AFM have been accredited by the Financial Planning Association of Australia to issue CPD points.
What you need to do:
Read the most recent Fund Review for any of our research clients, and then answer 5 straightforward questions, these are presented in multiple choice format. An 80% or more success score will provide 0.5 CPD points, with a certificate provided as proof of completion. There is no cost for this service.
Reading the review and answering the questions will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professional members are required to keep up to date with industry knowledge to maintain their professional proficiency and status. This continuing professional development translates to CPD points which are to be maintained and recorded over a three year period (triennium). The current triennium runs from 1 July 2012 - 30 June 2015. CFP professionals must achieve a total of 120 CPD points during each three year period. The breakdown of these points needs to be as follows:
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at least 50% accredited,
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50% non-accredited
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including 3 ethics points.
CFP professionals must accumulate a minimum 35 points each year.
31 Jul 2014 - Alternative Investments Conference
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS CONFERENCE
14-15 August 2014 at the Grace Hotel, Sydney
Investigating the rise and rise of non-traditional high yield and low risk investment products, strategies and allocation in an era of prolonged volatility and low returns. Conference topics include:
- Global Economic Trends and Future Outlook
- Asset Allocation portfolio strategies
- Institutional Investors perspectives on alternative investment
- A retail perspective in allocating to alternatives
- Partnership alignment and manager selection
- Regulatory, compliance and reporting requirements
- Hedge fund investment options and opportunities
- Investment timing indexes
- Alternative fixed interest as a ?better source of risk premium?
- Strategic allocation of commodities
- Infrastructure asset portfolio design and global opportunity
- The rise and rise of Impact Investing
- Understanding the True Scope of Private Equity Investing
- Tapping into the world of Niche Alternatives
Dates: 14th-15th August 2014
Time: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Location: Grace Hotel, Sydney
Click here to view the Agenda and for more information on the event.
To register for the conference please download the brochure and fax the form to us or you can email us on [email protected] or give us a call:
Registrations Manager
IBR Conferences Pty Ltd
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9896 0776 | Fax: +61 (0) 2 9896 0796 | [email protected] | http://www.ibrc.com.au
30 Jul 2014 - Chris Gosselin on Switzer TV
In this Switzer TV interview on Monday 28 July 2014, Chris discusses:
- 6-12 month performance of Australian hedge funds.
- New product release - Prism Select portal.
- Prism Select has launched with comprehensive information and performance on a range of 14 boutique funds, enabling investors to compare and research each one, while also providing a new online application tool that revolutionises the currently confusing and time consuming paper based process of applying for managed funds.
- Prism Select also provides access to each fund's offer documents and application forms through OLIVIA123, an online application service developed by AFM which provides a customised and interactive application form for each fund, reducing the time and frustration often experienced by investors when completing paper based application forms, and cutting the errors and omissions which often delay the processing of their applications.
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OLIVIA123 consists of three modules - Data Collection, Identity Verification (AML&KYC), and Online Execution - assisting fund managers and their administrators by reducing the time and costs of processing paper based applications, including compliance with new anti-money laundering legislation.
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OLIVIA123's online, interactive system is estimated to cut the time taken to complete and process a paper based application by up to 70 per cent.
Click here to view the TV Interview.
Chris Gosselin has been in the financial markets since 1986, initially in equities broking in Sydney and Melbourne prior to focussing on information distribution. He has been in the hedge fund sector since 2003, and established Australian Fund Monitors in 2006. Australian Fund Monitors provides a range of research services including due diligence, analytics and fund rankings, servicing both local and offshore investors.
2 Jun 2014 - Supervised High Yield Fund AFM Review May 2014
We would like to highlight the following aspects of the Fund;
- The Supervised High Yield Fund (SHYF) has a 5 year track record investing in fixed interest investments. The Investment strategy aims to deliver returns with zero correlation to equity markets by investing in debt securities with minimal default probability and offering a premium return above the risk free rate.
- The Fund is managed by Philip Carden whose experience in debt and capital markets spans 32 years, including time with JB Were's Capel Court Securities and Macquarie Bank, where he was the Executive Director responsible for the Debt Markets Division.
- SHYF is an Alternative Income fund which invests in Global and Australian debt markets, with all foreign currency receivables hedged back to Australian dollars.
- The Fund utilises a top down analysis of the economic environment and market to screen and identify debt market opportunities which it believes offer low risk with high yield. The next stage is the development of a risk matrix and investment strategy, following which detailed research is undertaken on specific investment opportunities which meet the pre-defined criteria established in the investment strategy.
- Prior to approving an investment for the Fund each potential investment is subject to two stress tests. The first of these is for credit and default risk, in which the investment is stress-tested to ensure that in a worst case economic environment it can repay 100% of its principal and interest obligations case scenario for the asset by examining the highest margin over the risk rate that the investment has previously experienced in a crisis situation. Any decline in value under the stress test that exceeds 10% of the Fund's value is avoided The second test examines market risk. In this case Carden looks at the worst case scenario for the asset by examining the highest margin over the risk rate that the investment has previously experienced in a crisis situation. Any decline in value under the stress test that exceeds 10% of the Fund's value is avoided.
- Annualised return since inception is 11.07% with a very low standardised standard deviation of 2.21%. Other risk statistics are impressive and show the Fund's risk philosophy; over 98% of monthly performances have been positive, the Fund's largest drawdown is -0.12% and the Sharpe ratio 3.18.
Sean Webster
Research and Database Manager