Explicit Protection for Super Funds Opinion, Private & Alternative Markets With bond yields at record lows, traditional fixed income defensiveness is reduced and expectations of negative rates of return from bonds at current pricing, has increased the attractiveness of defensive options-based solutions and broader portfolio overlays, Michael Armitage writes. Read More
AustralianSuper on China A-share Search Asset Owners, Emerging Markets, Equities AustralianSuper has provided an insight into its decision making process for a recent mandate dedicated to China A-shares. Read More
Stick to Aus, US Government Bonds Fixed Income & Credit If investors believe fixed income is a defensive allocation, then they should probably stick to just Australian and US government bonds, according to a Willis Towers Watson consultant. Read More
Infrastructure in the Pandemic Asset Owners, Infrastructure, Women in Finance We speak with Lianne Buck, former Head of Infrastructure of TCorp and Director of Melbourne Airport, about how the airport sector will cope with the turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Read More
Tech & Healthcare Innovation in Emerging Markets Emerging Markets, Equities, Innovation Pandemics have a way of speeding up change and innovation. We speak to Kunjal Gala at the international business of Federated Hermes about what this means for emerging market equities. Read More
Reimagining Due Diligence Editorial As we are faced by severe travel restrictions, video conferencing has been widely embraced as the preferred method for conducting meetings. But will it ever replace face-to-face interaction? This question is especially important when it comes to signing off on new investment mandates. Read More
First State Super Divests Thermal Coal Asset Owners, ESG First State Super will divest from businesses that derive more than 10 per cent of their revenue from thermal coal by October 2020, as part of a broader transition plan to prepare the investment portfolio for a low-carbon economy. Read More
Crescent Wealth Adds Currency Hedging Asset Owners, Risk and Regulation Islamic superannuation fund Crescent Wealth has expanded its investment toolkit with the addition of Shariah-compliant currency hedging, while it has also appointed a new asset consultant. Read More
State Super Takes Stock Asset Owners, Financial Crisis State Super was one of the top performing funds in Australia during the March quarter, largely due to its decision to have tail risk strategies in place. We talk to CEO John Livanas about the fund’s approach and the changed world post-pandemic. Read More