Key takeouts from the Conference Masterclass 2012 program, and actions to take when building investor portfolios.

The risk of using MPT - like any model - is that if poor inputs go into the model, poor results will come out...

Advisers who wish to attract HNW clients must provide a viable and effective value proposition to SMSF members - and that may mean developing a new advice framework.

Advisers aren't getting any younger and with the average age now around 60 attracting new talent into the industry is a must if advisers are to create a healthy demand for their businesses at sale time. financialalert looked at the demand for new entrants amongst financial planning firms, and their expectations...

Clients are becoming more aware of their rights to take a grievance against their adviser while at the same time, regulation has instilled formal disputes processes. financialalert looked into factors influencing PI cover rates, what is actually covered, and what can advisers do themselves to mitigate the risk of a claim...

The mechanics of solving Europe's crisis are in place. The US's fiscal position is considerably worse and holds greater uncertainty...

The use by financial advisers of derivatives in portfolios - primarily for downside protection - is growing in Australia but not here in New Zealand. That may change with plans by the NZX to launch new products in 2013...

KiwiSaver has a number of advantages over overseas schemes. In addition, the ability to conduct meaningful KiwiSaver performance analysis is improving - we look at whether returns are ahead of inflation and cash...

The Financial Markets Authority has been busy. In the last month, it has announced the Trans-Tasman mutual recognition of financial advisers as well as releasing a guidance note on giving KiwiSaver advice. financialalert spoke with advisers, researchers and industry associations about what the changes mean to advisers...

Picking up where he left of in February at the Markets Summit, Russ explains his expectations for the markets for the remainder of 2012...

Linda was the highest rated speaker at Conference 2011. Here she begins a series of thought pieces exclusive to PortfolioConstruction Forum on developments in China...

Over the short term, forecasting equity returns is nearly impossible - but over longer terms, forecasting can be done with some degree of confidence, according to AMP Capital's Keith Poore. He's going to walk advisers through how to do just that, at the IFA 2012 Conference this month...

This heading is THE question being asked within the depths of the Financial Markets Authority's guidance note on the Sale and Distribution of KiwiSaver. And, it does appear that RFAs may be able to advise those going into KiwiSaver after all...

From 6 July, New Zealand financial advisers will be able to provide services to clients based in Australia, without holding an Australian Financial Services License, under a mutual recognition arrangement just announced by the regulators in both countries. But the devil's in the detail, warns one industry leader...

With global equities failing to impress over the past decade, real money might be better made closer to home, according to Andrew Bascand, managing director and portfolio manager with Harbour Asset Management. Bascand gave financialalert an insight into what he'll be speaking about at next month's IFA 2012 Conference.

FMA's KiwiSaver sales guidance note "a defining piece of guidance". Advisers unable to gain new clients under proposed Financial Markets Conduct Bill. AdviceFirst appoints new chairman. FSC retirement savings report "overlooks a critical area".

PortfolioConstruction Forum Symposium is a unique professional development program designed and presented specifically for NZ practitioners who focus on giving quality investment advice. The two-day program featured leading local and international investment professionals presenting on contemporary and emerging portfolio construction issues around the three pillars for building better quality investor portfolios - markets, strategies and investing.

It's one thing to help a client plan for retirement, but quite another to plan a retirement fund for a nation. Adrian Orr, CEO of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, gave financialalert a sneak preview of the issues he'll be covering when he opens next month's IFA 2012 Conference...

This Academy Seminar debates the following three topics in a Socratic learning environment: Better the devil you know; Demystifying quantitative equity investing; and, Investment Fables IV - Growth.

For a valuation driven rally in risk markets to be sustained for anything more than a week or so, the global credit system has to revive. This six point plan could achieve that...