The catalyst for improved sentiment for commodity-based equities will be a return of confidence and more stable political and economic environment.

We are relatively optimistic about the outlook for global growth, and the US in particular. We see four main reasons why the market could become more worried about inflation.

Amidst the volatility and doomsday talk in China, Asia ex-Japan equities ended up as the best performing region in 2012. For 2013, the outlook for Asia continues to be positive.

Consistently higher commodity prices are a thing of the past. There are two paths the economy can now follow.

The growing yield-seeking flood of money is causing a growing divide between real and perceived values in the private equity market.

World Investor New Zealand magazine gives the appearance of serious quality. What's interesting is what's not said as much as what IS said. Transparency and disclosure should be as stringent for investment publications as for investment advisers.

Major foreign policy issues face China's new leaders in regards the US, Japan, SE Asia, and North Korea.

What happens after 10% growth? History shows few economies last the distance.

I never quite expected to be asking this question. But at some point, the question is going to become very real.

We were very pleased to kick off the new calendar year with our Learning Partners at our PortfolioConstruction Forum Learning Partner Briefing 2013.

For better or worse, 2013 is likely to be another year when the market's fate will rest largely with politicians and policy makers. For now, we remain cautiously optimistic.

It is shaping up for a period where the FX market is back, front and centre. An aspect at the forefront is the notion of so-called "currency wars". I'm dismissive of such accusations.

"The Hedge Fund Mirage" shows investors would've been much better off in US T-Bills over the past decade. We look at hedge fund association AIMA's "comprehensive rebuttal".

When Lance Armstrong finally confessed to doping, he received widespread condemnation. If only there was similar outrage over doping in monetary policy.

It's an regrettable reality that financial advice remains out of the reach of most people. financialalert looked at when it might be practical to advise someone without charging them a fee and the implications...

The FMA's latest AFA Monitoring Report makes interesting reading. The findings support our conclusion after our review of over 500 client files in the previous 12 months - that is, that many AFAs need to do a better job with Statements of Advice.

If you cannot answer that question clearly and quickly, you have a serious marketing problem. Frankly, if you can't answer that question in a meaningful way for a customer, then you probably don't deserve their business.

The financialalert Person of the Year 2012 has shown outstanding energy, commitment and professionalism as the first full year of the regulatory regime for the New Zealand financial advisory industry bedded in.

IFA and PortfolioConstruction Forum partner on professional development programs; Veteran financial adviser retires after 30 years; Regulator to undertake surveillance of research report providers

The traditional approach to the six-step financial advice process teaches advisers to be consultative - but moving to a more collaborative approach would help guard against being replaced by technology, online product sales and banks' standard offers.