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Superannuation

ASFA slams proposal to cut super

KATE HAGE  |  FRIDAY, 28 APR 2006
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has slammed a Government task force suggestion to cut employer super contributions, a move it says will drastically reduce part-time and contract workers' superannuation savings.

HFA trading off and racing

HAMISH MADDEN  |  FRIDAY, 28 APR 2006
Shares in HFA Holdings Ltd began conditional trading at noon today after parent company MFS concluded its successful initial public offer (IPO).

Go overseas, but go carefully: LaSalle

HAMISH MADDEN  |  FRIDAY, 28 APR 2006
Doing the rounds of Australia this week to promote its new open-ended funds, international property giant LaSalle Investment Management was talking up international property opportunities but warned investors to tread carefully.

AGL-Alinta deal bodes well for infrastructure pricing

KATE HAGE  |  FRIDAY, 28 APR 2006
The recent deal to pursue a merger between AGL and Alinta bodes well for future infrastructure pricing deals, boosting the prospects of the soon to be floated Snowy Hydro project, according to some equity specialists.

ASIC releases 'too good to be true' calculator

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released yet another online calculator to help investors double-check whether the returns that service providers promise them are the real deal or too good to be true.

ASIC clarifies its powers

On the back of the shadow shopping results, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued a guide to the financial services industry and consumers clarifying its role and powers.

Life insurance still the big risk: ING

HAMISH MADDEN  |  THURSDAY, 27 APR 2006
According to research conducted by TNS/Rice Walker Actuaries and analysed by ING, underinsurance remains a massive problem with nearly half of all Australian families left critically exposed to the financial consequences of a serious event.

Macq fund sizzles on high occupancy

Investors are lapping up units in Macquarie's $260 million unlisted Direct Property Fund (MDPF) which is riding the crest of a near 100 per cent occupancy rate for its office properties.

Babcock & Brown swells infrastructure by $3.4bn

Home grown infrastructure group Babcock & Brown Infrastructure (ASX: BBI) has agreed to buy US utility giant NorthWestern in an all-cash deal worth US$2.23 billion ($3 billion) along with a 51 per cent stake in WestNet Rail for $435 million.

Trust in Asian REITs

KATE HAGE  |  WEDNESDAY, 26 APR 2006
Trust Company of Australia (Trust) has unveiled plans to expand into the Asian market by opening offices in both Hong Kong and Singapore in a move to becoming a trustee of real estate investment trusts (REITs).