Many New Zealand financial advice firms need to fundamentally rejig their way of doing business, to improve client retention, drive down costs and improve the bottom line.

The start of the end of the Federal Reserve's money printing is expected to reshape the global investment landscape.

Our Forum Fodder e-newsletter alerts Members to what's new on PortfolioConstruction.com.au and live progams. This week - Last year's bullish market mood took a sharp downturn in Jan - this 1st Fodder for 2014 focuses on what it all means

Our Forum Fodder NZ e-newsletter alerts Members to what's new on PortfolioConstruction.com.au and live progams. Last year's bullish market mood took a sharp downturn in Jan - this 1st Fodder for 2014 focuses on what it all means

William Bengen established the 4% rule - and showed a higher exposure to equities was better for retirement portfolios.

The Academy Summer Seminar 2013 featured four sessions: The paradox of wealth (& what can be done); Don't concentrate too hard; Developing your investment philosophy; and, Financial literacy and cognitive functioning.

As we entered 2014, the consensus on the best and worst areas to invest could be described very simply: momentum investing ruled, contrarian investing was dead.

The bullish mood suddenly changed in early January. Here is a structure for thinking about recent market events that may be helpful in assessing new evidence as it comes along.

A report on asset allocation intentions of financial planners set the voice in my head singing "How many times..."

There is a broad acceptance that Bernanke's monetary policy helped stave off another global depression. But the final verdict on unconventional monetary policy remains years away.

The majority of the world will see an improvement in economic growth this year. But, after a lengthy and linear rise, equity markets will see much greater volatility this year.

Breaking Unconventional Monetary Policy is not an asymmetric outcome - it is like 50 shades of grey, whips included, particularly for emerging markets.

Change is stirring and markets do not like uncertainty. Breaking Unconventional Monetary Policy is a catalyst for slower economic growth and deflation - market volatility will only increase in 2014.

Breaking Unconventional Monetary Policy is going to prove too hard to achieve. Central Banks will run scared of their political masters; QE or an equivalent will recommence.

The US economy made substantial progress in 2013. The economic outlook for 2014 appears promising -and the US equity market can continue to appreciate.

Will QE ruin retirement? Looking back at the risks inflation has presented in the past helps us look forward to the potential consequences.

It is that time of the year where practitioners think in detail about the year ahead - most are hoping for that big "break through" year. You just need to focus on the right TASKS.

Our Forum Fodder e-newsletter alerts Members to what's new on PortfolioConstruction.com.au and live progams. In Fodder this week - 10 pieces of holiday reading, great prep for a refreshed and informed 2014. Fodder resumes mid Jan.

Come Christmas, there will no longer be any annuity product providers in New Zealand. Fidelity is pulling out, citing lack of demand. But a new player is hoping to set up in 2014.

My bottom line for 2014 is that investors should be overweight global equities, underweight bonds. My biggest call? China's stockmarket could be the best performing.