News round-up

NZ Super terminates manager GMO; AXA GI future-proofs its global funds; IFA on scout for top-dog; Confusion over crown guarantee

Monday, April 19th 2010, 5:00AM

NZ Super terminates manager GMO.

The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation have today announced that they have terminated the global equity, non-US small-cap equity and multi-strategy equity mandates managed by GMO, LLC.

GMO Renewable Resources continues to manage the Fund's New Zealand timber assets.

GMO, LLC was appointed in June 2004 to manage a non-US small-cap mandate; in February 2005 to manage a growth-oriented global equity portfolio and in June 2006 to manage a multi-strategy equities mandate.

The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation have said the decision does not affect the Fund's strategic asset allocation to global listed equities.

The Guardians work with investment managers around the world to execute the strategy for investing the Fund's.

AXA GI future-proofs its global funds
AXA Global Investors has enhanced its global equity fund by widening managers' mandates and measuring the fund against the MSCI ALL Countries World Index.

"The world has changed, and in response our portfolios have also changed," says Keith Poore, head of investment strategy.

He says AXA GI sees the fastest growing economies being those of the emerging markets who did not feel the impact of the global financial crisis to the same extent as the developed markets.

Poore says although emerging markets tend to be more volatile and allocations are not large, they make a "meaningful contribution" to returns and can be "accessed in controlled ways".

IFA on scout for top-dog
The Institute of Financial Advisers (IFA) is on the lookout for a new chief executive, to be based in its national office in Wellington.

The primary focus of the role will be in promoting and marketing the value and relevance of the IFA to its members and the public and engaging with business partners, members, regulators and other stakeholders.

Applications close on April 30. For more information, contact IFA chairman Phillip Meyer on 04 384 3384 or 021243 9000.

Confusion over crown guarantee
There has been confusion from investors over whether new money invested in South Canterbury Finance (SCF) is covered under the extended government guarantee scheme.

Confusion arose from SCF referring to its First Ranking Registered Debenture Stocks covered by the guarantee but did not specify whether its Unsecured Deposits were covered, which lead to the conclusion that the deposits were not covered by the scheme.

SCF has confirmed the current and extended guarantee scheme applies to all existing eligible investors.

« Commerce Commission to sit on ING decision for another month

Sovereign takes regulation bull by the horns »

Special Offers