Earlier this month, Tony Vidler called for SOAs to be no longer than four pages. But others see no problem with quite lengthy statements, as financialalert found out when it surveyed some advisers on how they interpret Code Standard 6's requirement to communicate "clearly, concisely, and effectively."

Top 10 concerns amongst advisers; AIS appoints new investment manager; Adviser summer school; William Blair enters Australia and NZ; Court ruling against S&P opens door for CDO lawsuits.

We recommend moving to neutral risk weightings in portfolios until a favourable resolution of the US fiscal cliff becomes more likely. A malign outcome is a clear possibility.

I question whether anything has materially changed as a result of the US election and Chinese leadership handover. I feared a US status quo, but perhaps things are different.

The FMA has indicated it could bring the first disciplinary proceedings against advisers before year's end, likely around Code Standard 8 regarding suitability of advice. financialalert asked some AFAs, a lawyer, a researcher and a Disciplinary Committee member what the test for suitability should be and whether it should be applied at a product or portfolio level.

Obama is back in, attention has turned to the fiscal cliff. Can we just ignore the economy and get on with investing?

Reading is a basic tool of serious investing - but only if done in an engaged and critical way. Here is an exercise in critical reading.

The current financial advice model serving retirees is suboptimal.

Despite a sluggish US economy, drift toward recession in Europe, and China slowdown, global monetary policy means equities will continue to outshine bonds.

How good are Chinese policymakers? US data creeping better. A pick up in global momentum...

Volatility is a risk for any portfolio that has cash flows, irrespective of investment time horizon. The culprit is sequencing risk, the risk of returns occurring in an adverse order.

Dynamic asset allocation, MPT, risk premia, and how to get the regulator on board with a DAA approach.

How governments will reduce debt is the subject of considerable debate. One option seems most likely.

The US is exporting coal, the West citizens is falling out of love with autos. Still bullish oil prices?

On the Reader's Digest NZ Most Trusted Professions 2012 survey, financial advisers ranked 31 out of 40. To improve trust, we need to deliver the advice services clients value most - and a recent survey provides valuable insights into what that is...

Last month's Finology Conference introduced a new term for a subject financial advisers deal with every day. We spoke with delegates to get their key takeouts - for example, the importance of making financial planning fun.

If we step back and consider risk in the context that risk management experts do, we can test the key issue - a client's capacity for absorbing different risk events.

Soft, albeit stable data for Septemer so far; world imbalances improving; protests aboard; Japan's issues getting bigger?; China, where it is also pouring; QE3/QE Infinity

Is gold the ultimate currency? How do we feel about a currency that lost 79% purchasing power from 1980 to 2000?

We need to understand and assess four aspects of risk to truly understand a client's risk profile and create a portfolio that allows him/her to sleep well at night.