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OPINION PIECES
Timely information on
investment topics
Shorter pieces addressing industry issues or advanced investment options
Our forum and Q&A publications address industry issues or advanced investment topics and are suitable for supplementing your investment knowledge.
Second generation lifecycle funds and MySuper: 10 things to consider
April 2012 | Chris Corneil, Chief Executive Officer, Australasia
This note examines how lifecycle investing has evolved over time and specifically explores their potential to enhance superannuation member outcomes in Australia. Starting with a review of experiences to date, we summarise how the early lifecycle funds were set up to help investors. We then focus the discussion on 10 important issues to assess when considering the role of lifecycle funds for MySuper in Australia. Drawing on Russell's global research and practical experience in implementing lifecycle funds, we also highlight next steps in the evolution of lifecycle funds.
The review of default superannuation funds in Modern Awards by the Productivity Commission
March 2012 | Tim Furlan, Director, Superannuation
The Government has recently provided terms of reference to the Productivity Commission for a review of the process for including default superannuation funds in Modern Awards. This has been eagerly awaited as the inclusion of superannuation in industrial agreements has presented challenges historically. This client note sets out Russell's thoughts on the review, what we think can realistically be achieved and propose three important aspects for the review to consider.
The evolution of global trading markets
February 2012 | Adam van Ness, Head of Implementation Services; Jason Lenzo, Director, Equity & Fixed Income Trading; Alex Frink and Quinn Zimmerman, Senior traders, Equity & Fixed Income Trading.
This Forum looks at the history of global trading markets, and demonstrates how advances in technology has radically changed the way markets trade now. No longer is physical membership on every one of the world's exchanges essential to maintaining direct access to global markets. Instead, competitive advantage comes from computing speed and trading skill.
Offshore private property: Investment ideas for 2012
February 2012 | Marty Lamb, Director, Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment
Marty provides his outlook on global offshore private property investment in 2012.
Emerging real estate fund manager: Strong potential, but evaluation critical
November 2011 | Martin Lamb, Director, Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment and Tamara Larsen, Senior Research Analyst
Marty Lamb argues the concept of emerging property funds, and considers some of the practical issues for exploiting and capturing the excess return potential of emerging real estate fund managers.
Using strategic tilting to take advantage of market extremes
November 2011 | Andrew Pease, Chief Investment Strategist
Strategic tilting is a 'high conviction' approach to asset class timing. In this Q&A, Andrew Pease shares his views on Russell's strategic tilting capability. When done in a risk controlled manner, this investment process offers investors the scope to enhance the long-run performance of their portfolios.
20 years of compulsory super – are we still the best in the world?
November 2011 | Geoff Peck, Managing Director, Corporate Superannuation
Is the Australian superannuation system still leading the pack in providing financial security for an ageing population?
US real estate debt: The great recapitalisation
November 2011 | Samantha Steele, Senior Research Analyst, and Jack Fadule, Research Analyst
This paper reviews the investment strategy of investing in real estate debt in the US market, from an Australian perspective.
Russell Portfolio Managers: what's in your risk management toolkit?
November 2011 | Symon Parish, Chief Investment Officer, Australasia.
Portfolio management is a process of applying investment insights in a dynamic way. At Russell Investments, we regularly review our portfolio construction and risk management approach to ensure they remain cutting edge & effective in capturing market opportunities and avoiding adverse outcomes. This results in continuous improvement in tools, systems and capabilities. We discuss four recent examples in the Russell funds.
NFPs - make your tax status count!
October 2011 | Raewyn Williams, Director, After-Tax Investment Strategies
In the Q&A, Raewyn discusses the importance of making your NFP tax status count when finding the right investment solutions for your organisation.
Term Deposits – have they had their day?
October 2011 | Clive Smith, Portfolio Manager
One of the consequences of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the ongoing market volatility is the significant inflows that have been invested in cash and term deposits. However, it’s important that investors understand the need to look outside these ‘safety’ assets to other investment opportunities as markets recover. This article explores the current returns achieved by term deposits and how these can be deceptive. We also discuss some issues for investors to consider when looking at other alternatives.
Value retention, not the carbon tax, drives green building investment
October 2011 | Martin Lamb, Director, Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment
The carbon tax may prove to be a relative footnote to the growing focus on improving the “green” credentials of buildings in the Australian property industry.
Investing in Domestic vs Global Fixed Income – an Australian perspective
August 2011 | Clive Smith, CFA, Portfolio Manager
Clive Smith weighs the benefits of global vs domestic fixed income and supports the case for maintaining a portion of assets in domestic fixed income mandates.
A closer look at the Eurozone crisis
August 2011 | Russell Global Investment Strategist team
We speak with Russell’s global investment strategist team and discuss the most recent developments in Europe as the Eurozone crisis refuses to abate.
Manager CORE: Spotlight on manager compliance & operations
August 2011 | Dianna Zentner, Director, Global Manager Oversight & Due Diligence
Fund manager due diligence is in the spotlight - and it isn’t just because of headline-grabbing scandals. During the GFC, many fund managers faced severe market declines and endured financial challenges.
Today's A-REITs: Slimmed down, more stable, but not without headwinds
July 2011 | Marty Lamb, Director, Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment
It's no secret that A-REITs were one of the hardest-hit asset classes during the GFC. While A-REITs have taken the lessons from the GFC to heart, investor confidence has been slow to recover.
Down but not out: Insights into the global property recovery
July 2011 | Ed Garcia, Portfolio Manager, Alternatives Investments, Real Estate
In this Q&A, Ed Garcia discusses his view on the global property markets and provides insight into areas where he believes turmoil has created opportunity.
Are your FX fees too high?
June 2011 | Shashank Kothare, FIA, Director Investment Communications; and Lloyd Raynor, CFA, Senior Consultant, Consulting & Advisory Services
Ways in which institutional investors can close the 'responsibility' gap through greater scrutiny of FX execution.
Investment innovation: Australian shares emerging managers
June 2011 | James McSkimming, Senior Research Analyst
This Q&A considers the investment concept which aims to systematically capture the benefits of boutique manager and boutique product outperformance.
What is Select Exposure?
May 2011 | Symon Parish, Chief Investment Officer, Australasia
Select Exposure describes a new investment category that represents an alternative approach to traditional active or passive management, providing investors custom exposure designed around a particular objective or theme.
A world tour of defined contribution
May 2011 | Don Ezra, Co-Chairman, Global Consulting
In this speech, delivered at the National Association of Pension Funds' (NAPF) annual conference, Don Ezra explores the aspects of the defined contribution system that he considers best.
Postcards from India
May 2011 | Samantha Steele, Senior Research Analyst
In this Q&A, Samantha Steele discusses her recent due diligence trip to India and where she sees opportunities for investors.
What are frontier markets?
March 2011 | Symon Parish
The next generation of global market evolution brings exciting opportunities reminiscent of those offered by emerging markets during much of the 1980s and 1990s.
Catastrophe in Japan: View from our Managers
March 2011 | Phil Hoffman, Portfolio Manager: Global Equity Russell Investments
We take a look at Japan's 'pressure points' - those industries and asset classes which will be most affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Each specific theme is addressed and the level of Russell Fund exposure quantified is interposed with an underlying investment manager comment on the issue.
'Risk-adjusted' Operational Risk Reserves: A challenge for superannuation funds?
March 2011 | Tony Miller, Senior Consultant Actuarial and Benefits Consulting; Fintan Thornton, Senior Consultant Actuarial and Benefits Consulting
In this issue we explore the challenges superannuation fund trustees face in developing risk-adjusted Operational Risk Reserves.
Thoughts on Global Property Markets
March 2011
Martin Lamb, Russell's Sydney-based Director of Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment, was recently interviewed by a group of business journalists from throughout Australasia regarding the status of property markets in the region. The following is an edited version of his observations.
Off-shore Open-End Core Real Estate Funds
September 2010
Private real estate open-end funds that target core investments are a significant and growing part of the global real estate investment universe. These funds may be positioned to benefit early in the market recovery and to offer an attractive risk-adjusted return.
Cooper Report: the value of advanced modelling to assist trustees meet their requirements
July 2010
The Cooper Report recommendations regarding Liquidity Management and Operational Reserves will challenge trustees. They will need a range of expert tools if they are to efficiently meet the requirements being proposed.
Cooper Report: move to after-tax investing and reporting is now non-negotiable
July 2010
Investment managers will be challenged by recommendations in the Cooper Report which could compel a move from pre-tax to after-tax management of their superannuation clients’ investments.
Future of Financial Advice: What it means for financial advisers
June 2010 | Peter Burnett
The financial services industry is entering an exciting new era. Those organisations that adapt the best to the changing environment have the opportunity to establish themselves as the leaders of the future. For most advisers, it’s a time of transformation. Some will fail, most will survive… but only the best will prosper.
Year of the Tiger, Elephant, and perhaps Crane: observations on the changing private real estate investment landscape in Asia
May 2010 | Martin Lamb
Asia’s commercial property markets are changing, and savvy international property investors need to understand the implications of these changes and weigh the attractions of investment in the West versus the risk and rewards to be found in Asia.
Resolving the after-tax reporting debate
March 2010 | Raewyn Williams
After-tax reporting, or ATR, has been a hot topic of debate in the superannuation and funds management industry over the last few years.
Sovereign Risk - Meaning and implications for investors
March 2010 | Clive Smith
A key lesson fixed interest investors have taken away from the acute distress in the markets in the past year, is the need for a greater appreciation of the risks inherent in fixed income securities.
Global high yield bonds and emerging marketing debt
February 2010 | Jim Franks
The extreme market turbulence of the past two years has focused fixed income investors' thoughts on the risks and potential rewards associated with credit risk. Investment grade credit opportunities, particularly global high yield bonds and emerging market debt, are attracting increasing investor interest.
Continued innovation in Australian equity multi-manager portfolios
December 2009 | Kathy Cave
Recent developments and future possibilities in Russell's multi-manager approach for Australian shares.
Climate Change
November 2009 | Greg Liddell
COP15, AWG-KP, UNFCCC, CPRS; the climate change debate is not short of acronyms. But what does it all mean and more importantly what does it all mean for investors?
Don't leave basis points on the table
October 2009 | John Moore
Don't leave basis points on the table because by reducing wastage in investment processes you can boost your members' retirement savings.
Home Bias. The Private Investor Perspective
March 2009 | Geoff Warren
Home country bias in a portfolio's asset allocation may not be as irrational as it first appears.
Are Investors Well Served by Unlisted Assets in their Super Fund?
March 2009 | Andrew Lill
Unlisted assets entail some unique risks and benefits in a super fund.
Peer Group Comparison - it's only natural
December 2008 | Scott Donald
Investors and super fund trustees are often told not to engage in 'peer group' comparison. However peer comparison can be hard to ignore, and sometimes may even be beneficial.
Our 10 step approach to evaluating manager risk
December 2008 | Symon Parish
Manager risk is a reality for investors regardless of the stage of the market cycle. This Forum outlines Russell's ten step approach in evaluating the organisational and investment risks within a fund manager's operations.
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