News, updates and perspectives on managed accounts

Australian equities: Is the market too optimistic?
The outlook for Australian equities is looking positive. David Wanis (Longwave Capital), Peter Bell (Bellmont Securities), Hamish Tadgell (SG Hiscock), & Andrew Garrett (Perpetual) provide their thoughts on the key...

Illiquid assets: Selection and strategies
What are the benefits of illiquid assets and how do you access them? discussed by Daniel Choo (Russell Investments), Matthew Swieconek (Findex), and Ryan Synnot (Arrow Private Wealth) at the...

Structuring the defensive part of the portfolio
Brendan Paul (Atrium Investment Management), David Berthon-Jones (Aequitas Investment Partners), and Michael Frearson (Real Asset Management) explain their approaches to constructing the defensive part of the portfolio at the 2023...

Structuring the growth part of the portfolio
Victor Huang (Milliman), Geoff Greetham (Accordius) & Dermot Ryan (Renaissance Asset Management) discuss key elements to consider when structuring the growth part of a portfolio during their session at the...

The BIG picture – China builds another ‘Sydney CBD’ every 3 days – with our rocks!
"The 20-year Chinese property construction boom is over, but I’m still bullish on Aussie exports to China continuing to grow", says Ashley Owen

North extends investment menu with new functionality for advisers & their clients
North, one of Australia’s leading wrap investment platforms, has strengthened the breadth of its client offer with the addition of 6 new managed portfolios from global investment manager BlackRock. says...

Aussie retirement funds have the highest ‘growth/defensive’ asset mix in the world – Does this mean they are highest risk?
"Aussie retirement funds have the highest ‘growth/defensive’ asset mix in the world – does this mean they are highest risk? What is the best or ideal asset allocation for long...

IMAP announces that Managed Account FUM reaches $161.7 bn as at 30 June 2023
IMAP jointly with Milliman reports that the latest Managed Accounts market data shows a total of $161.7 bn FUM for balance date 30 June 2023 in its 6 monthly long...

Market Monitor – end August 2023: 'Sticky inflation' + 'What’s keeping the AUD down'
"It's a confused picture this month with share markets lower across the board from profit taking, interest rate hikes slowing, inflation receding, central bankers warnings,and bond yields flat in most...

Last time we had an inflation-busting rate-hike recession – shares surged! This Time is Different - or is it?
"Nothing scares investors more than news of a ‘recession!’ But why? Recessions have mostly been good for Australian shares!" says Ashley Owen, "Contrary to the popular myth that recessions are...

Higher inflation equals lower real returns on all assets
"Higher inflation in future means lower nominal (headline) returns on asset classes & portfolios, and lower real (inflation-adjusted) returns. A big change from the past 30 years", says Ashley Owen

Where are We Now? – US profits: recession or rebound?
"The US is still critically important to the overall global picture as US companies make up 60% of the global stock market value. Are the latest US profits allowing for...

Where Are We Now? – Global profits: recession or rebound?
While media headlines warn of possible global recessions ahead, global profits are booming! There appear to be no obvious signs of impending recession in the latest profit results, or profit...

North’s managed portfolio AUM passes $11 billion as investment menu expands
North, one of Australia’s leading wrap investment platforms, has seen its managed portfolio range become the fastest growing in the market after it surpassed $11 billion in assets under management...

The BIG picture – Chinese steel production – the ‘Sydney Harbour Bridge’ index
"If I had to pick a single number that drives Australia’s economic growth, income, wealth, living standards, and overall investment returns so far this century - it would be: China’s...

Differentiating your advice service
Andrew Mathie (Praemium) reveals key insights from Praemium’s latest research to explain why using managed accounts can help differentiate an advice service

Talking ESG to clients
With interest and growth in ESG investing showing no signs of abating, Jessica Harris - Financial Adviser (MGD Wealth) explains her approach when talking to clients about this style of...

Earning tomorrow’s clients
Advisers are increasingly recognising that the rules around investing don’t apply to the next generation of clients, so to attract the next generation of clients, advisers will need to rethink...

Building a sustainable HNW client offering
James Trude (Clime) and Michael Karagianis (JANA) take a look at the intricacies of building a sustainable HNW client offering, and explore the opportunity for advice practices from a growth...

Market Monitor – end July 2023: ‘Are you feeling lucky?’
"Share markets are surging back toward their 2021 covid stimulus tech-bubble peaks! After a dozen rate hikes, inflation is easing, rate hikes are slowing, jobs & wages remain strong. What’s...

The BIG picture – portfolios perform for the passive & patient
"One of the most important, but difficult, aspects of long term investing is learning to not let day-to-day market chatter and scaremongering media headlines affect your long term strategies" says...

Are we there yet? – on cash rates
"Central banks have delivered the most aggressive rate hikes in a generation, but cash rates in Australia, US and elsewhere are still below pre-GFC levels. How high will interest rates...

How do we rate? – The Debt Olympics
"Australia and Australians loaded up on debt in the GFC and again in Covid, but how do we stack up against other countries? The answer is probably very different to...

This time is different’ – or is it? 123 reasons NOT to invest!
"Every year there are ‘End of the world’, or ‘End of life as we know it’ crises and threats that scare investors into waiting and watching from the sidelines. Are...

Market Monitor - end June 2023
Ashley Owen's Market Monitor - a quick snapshot of key events affecting investors and investment markets, especially from an Australian perspective

Structural themes benefit real assets
Mary Power (JANA Investment Advisers) and Shane Hurst (ClearBridge Investments) provide their thoughts on property and infrastructure, including the opportunities these assets provide for investors.

Interesting times for fixed income
With inflation remaining sticky and the threat of recession looming across many countries, Jonathon Costello, CFA (Western Asset Management) and Alex Cousley, CFA (Russell Investments) take stock of how fixed...

Mega themes driving equities
Megatrends are providing opportunities for astute investors in both international & domestic equities. Monik Kotecha (Insync Funds Management), Hamish Tadgell (SG Hiscock & Company) and Brad Creighton (AMP North) share...

Investment management for High Net Worth clients
High-net-worth (HNW) clients tend to be sophisticated investors with more complex investment needs. Alex Ventelon (Morgan Stanley) and Kyle Lidbury (Perpetual Private) discuss their approach to portfolio management for these...

Serving High Net Worth clients
Do the needs of high-net-worth (HNW) clients really differ from retail investors, and is this cohort actually more profitable for an advice business? Drawing on their experience working with HNW...

Going active with fixed income - Independent Thought Roundtable
In a macro environment of rising risk and uncertainty, Amy Xie Patrick - Pendal Group believes that by being defensive, patient, but active, advisers can provide investors with the type...

Active vs passive: Portfolio construction in today’s environment - Independent Thought Roundtable
Diversification of assets, style and strategies are essential when constructing portfolios in today’s challenging environment, explains Veronica Klaus (Lonsec).

Opportunities for active management - Independent Thought Roundtable
Anu Ganti CFA (S&P DJI), David Wanis CFA (Longwave Capital Partners), and Veronica Klaus (Lonsec) discuss the role of active management in a volatile and challenging environment.

Australian equities: Is the market too optimistic?
The outlook for Australian equities is looking positive. David Wanis (Longwave Capital), Peter Bell (Bellmont Securities), Hamish Tadgell (SG Hiscock), & Andrew Garrett (Perpetual) provide their thoughts on the key...

Illiquid assets: Selection and strategies
What are the benefits of illiquid assets and how do you access them? discussed by Daniel Choo (Russell Investments), Matthew Swieconek (Findex), and Ryan Synnot (Arrow Private Wealth) at the...

Structuring the defensive part of the portfolio
Brendan Paul (Atrium Investment Management), David Berthon-Jones (Aequitas Investment Partners), and Michael Frearson (Real Asset Management) explain their approaches to constructing the defensive part of the portfolio at the 2023...

Structuring the growth part of the portfolio
Victor Huang (Milliman), Geoff Greetham (Accordius) & Dermot Ryan (Renaissance Asset Management) discuss key elements to consider when structuring the growth part of a portfolio during their session at the...

The BIG picture – China builds another ‘Sydney CBD’ every 3 days – with our rocks!
"The 20-year Chinese property construction boom is over, but I’m still bullish on Aussie exports to China continuing to grow", says Ashley Owen

North extends investment menu with new functionality for advisers & their clients
North, one of Australia’s leading wrap investment platforms, has strengthened the breadth of its client offer with the addition of 6 new managed portfolios from global investment manager BlackRock. says...