Networth News

Financial Planning

Fund managers blur lines on independent advice. Australians remain confused about financial planner independence while the “Big 6” financial planning groups continue to show an overwhelming preference for their own products when advising clients. Read full article

Aussie John Symond eyes more brokers, financial advice. Self-made millionaire John Symond wants to boost broker numbers, pick up more assets and build a financial advice service at Aussie Group, the home loan group he flogged to Commonwealth Bank during the global financial crisis. Read full article

Superannuation

Push on funds over super pay. Super funds are under pressure to be more open about how much their top executives and directors are paid, after peak bodies backed a regulator’s plan to lift transparency in the $1.4 trillion industry. Read full article

Tax break policy for superannuation contributions won’t change: PM. Unions and welfare groups have vowed to push the government to overhaul $16 billion in yearly tax breaks on super contributions, however, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she won’t change government policy on tax breaks for superannuation contributions. Read full article

Regulatory

Commission laws will kill timeshare, says industry. Holiday timeshare operators say they will face an ‘‘immediate and devastating’’ threat if they are forced to comply with new laws designed to stamp out commissions and other conflicts of interest in the financial advice industry. Read full article

Regulated corporate funds: what to watch in 2012. Actuaries Rice Warner says the number of Australian Prudential Regulation Authority regulated corporate funds will fall to 35 by June 2016 compared with 143 as of June 30, 2011. Read full article

Funds management

Australia well placed to ride out the global storm but don’t expect a market lift-off. If fund managers are by nature a cautious bunch, 2011 gave them much to be cautious about and their outlook on 2012 reflects that roller-coaster experience. Read full article

Seek strength in diversity. With the global financial crisis still biting and investment markets remaining volatile, is the philosophy of diversifying your assets still the best way to protect your nest egg? Read full article

Investments

Income investing to dominate 2012. Income will be a key focus for share market investors in 2012, with analysts and fund managers predicting that the volatility caused by overseas financial problems will continue, boosting the attractiveness of stocks that pay a good dividend. Read full article

Little hope of a leap but equities are tipped to rise. The Australian sharemarket is unlikely to regain losses of the past two years this year, but it should finish higher despite ongoing concerns about the eurozone crisis and a slowing in Chinese economic growth. Read full article

Markets

Slow start tipped for Aussie shares. Investors are expected to start the second week of 2012 cautiously following falls in US and Australian markets on Friday. Read full article

European bank concerns dominate sentiment. Aussie shares are expected to open flat and traders are expected to stay on the sidelines today, after negative leads from the US and European markets, after the US Non-Farm Payrolls report and continuing problems with EU debt. Read full article