Newspaper icon
The latest issue of Financial Standard now available as an e-newspaper
READ NOW

Financial Planning

Aust Senate passes low-income super bill

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 24 JUN 2004
Around one million low-income earners will be eligible for superannuation co-contribution payments from the government under new laws passed by parliament on Wednesday.

Super funds revisit heady days: Mercer

One week ahead of the end of the financial year, superannuation funds are on target to post their strongest returns since 1996/97, Mercer Investment Consulting said on Wednesday.

Fitch downgrades Telstra credit rating

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 23 JUN 2004
Fitch Ratings today downgraded Telstra's long-term credit rating to A-plus from AA-minus, becoming the third ratings agency this week to drop Telstra a notch.

BT launches new margin lending feature

BT Financial Group announced on Tuesday the launch of a new "on-line transaction simulator" for its margin lending customers.

NAB offers two new fixed-fee accounts to attract customers

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 22 JUN 2004
National Australia Bank (NAB) is launching two new savings accounts with fixed monthly fees, in what it says is a bid to attract new customers.

Labor in the cold on choice

The passing of choice of fund legislation in the Senate yesterday was received as good news by both major industry bodies while at the same time the Federal Labor party said the new laws would do nothing to encourage ethical investments.

EU needs cross-border fund pooling: IMA

The UK's Investment Management Association (IMA) issued a report overnight outlining the results of a survey of the developments in the European single market for asset management during 2003/04.

Choice goes to parliament

The Federal Government's proposed Choice of Funds legislation is today being debated in the Senate and is expected to pass on the back of support from the Democrats.

Fitch assigns senior unsecured rating of A-minus to PBL

AAP  |  MONDAY, 21 JUN 2004
The Packer-controlled Publishing & Broadcasting is likely to continue to make "bolt on" style investments or acquisitions, according to international rating agency Fitch.

ASIC fee model goes part of the way: Rainmaker

Rainmaker Information head of research Alex Dunnin says the latest fee model introduced by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on Wednesday fails to resolve the outstanding confusion over the disclosure of fees and costs.