News

Managing risk is the key for equity markets in 2011, although the outlook for the full year is relatively positive, according to Platypus Asset Management and Wingate Asset Management.

Many parents get a nasty shock when they realise the cost of new textbooks and supplies needed at the start of a new school year, following hot on the heels of the expense of Christmas and summer holidays. However, some families have taken control of the annual back-to-school expenses by putting in place a budgeting and savings process separate to the day-to-day family budget, says Mr Matt Walsh of Lifeplan.

2011 should be a better year for investors than 2010 but it won’t be without its disruptions and volatility, says Mr David Bryant, head of Australian Unity Investments (AUI).

We can expect to see new superannuation legislation (again!) as well as the possibility of tougher regulation to protect investors – hopefully providing greater investor protection following the collapse of a number of investment schemes where investors lost capital. On top of this, there are a number of other issues that financial services operations will need to deal with.

Wingate Group and J.P.Morgan’s Global Special Opportunities Group have provided a $42.5 million mezzanine finance facility to part-fund Plenary Group’s 50 percent acquisition of the South Wharf Retail Precinct in Melbourne.

Australian Unity Investments (AUI) has opened a limited priority rights offer for investors in its Diversified Property Fund at a 7.5 percent discount to the security price*, with a view to raising up to $40 million.

The financial services industry has traditionally been good at using public relations. Most companies in the area understand the importance and value of communication with clients and influencers, and make a commitment to public relations in their marketing budget.

A week after being acquired by Nikko Asset Management, Tyndall Investments has initiated a program to further strengthen its business with the promotion of Mr Andrew Julius to head of retail. This follows the earlier confirmation of Mr Craig Hobart as managing director of Tyndall.

Results of some interesting surveys looking at attitudes to financial planners were released in recent weeks which, together, tell a story of interest to all personal services businesses.

It surprises me how often the basics of good communications – getting the right information to the right people, in a way that they want to receive it – get forgotten or sidelined.

With more media coverage this week following a directional hearing on the sexual harassment charges against David Jones and its former chief executive, I’m wondering just how much the issue will harm the David Jones brand?

We’ve all had the experience of talking with executives who are clearly very intelligent and know their stuff very well, but who are pretty much incomprehensible because they insist on using big words mixed with jargon.

It annoys me that, over the years, the term “spin doctoring” has become synonymous with public relations. The thing that rankles is that to most people, “spin” means the art of misleading or even deceiving – especially in a political context.

I’ve heard a number of references recently to “boutique fund managers”, often suggesting a different meaning of the term than my understanding of it.

I was talking to a journalist the other day who was disparaging about a media release he’d received from someone else, because of poor grammar in a couple of spots and careless spelling mistakes

Luke Hartsuyker, shadow minister for financial services, superannuation, corporate law and consumer affairs, was guest of honour at the Pritchitt Partners 2010 annual reception. A

Senator Nick Sherry, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, was guest of honour at the Pritchitt Partners New Year reception for 2009. A number of

Graham Bradley, an independent company director, addressed the Pritchitt Partners 2008 New Year kick-off, speaking on “acting in investors’ interests”. 2011 Pritchitt Partners kick-off with