News round up

New commissioner starts today; Cullen Fund continues to strengthen; Mercer's top 10 investment trends for 2010

Monday, January 25th 2010, 5:00AM

The new Commissioner of Financial Advisers, David Mayhew, takes up his role today.

Cullen Fund continues to strengthen
The New Zealand Superannuation Fund continues to claw its way back from the 22% investment losses reported at the height of the global financial crisis, posting a 17.4% return for the six months to December 31.

The return is calculated on an after fees but before tax basis, and represents a 16.1% excess on returns achievable over the same period from Treasury bills.

The total size of the fund, after taxes, has risen to $15.964 billion, having fallen to $13.353 billion in June 2009, at the end of the 2008/09 financial year when absolute returns were 22.14% down on the previous year.

Mercer's top 10 investment trends for 2010
Mercer has released its top 10 investment trends for the year ahead and is recommending investors "critically examine" the opportunities available in order to successfully manage their investment portfolios.

The trends range from regulation changes improving the investment environment, to how a weaker global banking system could create opportunities for private credit.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors also feature in the top 10, along with dynamic asset allocation and diversification.

To read more on what Martin Lewington, head of Mercer New Zealand has to say on the top 10, click here.

« Share funds have a bumper 2009

Sovereign takes regulation bull by the horns »

Special Offers