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20 March 2026
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The barbarians of buyouts have become the angels of alternatives: KKR is now one of the world's dominant alternate asset managers. Many investors are underestimating the vast opportunities in KKR’s addressable markets.
Investors frustrated by tedious fund application processes may benefit as asset managers look for ways to enhance their proposition and profit. Digital tokens are the next big thing as a way to represent ownership.
We asked about 30 fund managers to consider their entire investment process and drill down into what drives the most success, asking: “What part of your investment process has contributed most to identifying winners?”
Portfolio construction requires actions, not just words, based on expected returns, volatility and correlations. We have not seen sufficient pain to believe we are at the bottom of the equity cycle.
While ETFs and passive funds continue to attract flows, the move in the June 2022 quarter is to Australian equities and fixed interest. Local investors have reduced the impact of larger falls in global markets.
We often assign quality in investment choice by historical returns, backed up when we see fund flows directed towards such historically well-performing funds. This is a mistake made by investors and regulators.
Most active fund managers are the beneficiaries of a confluence of favourable events. As future strong returns look challenging, passive is rising and new investors do their own thing, a golden age may be closing.
An efficient diversified portfolio might include unfamiliar assets with short-term volatility. It's important to focus on a comfort level to attain the long-term benefits of diversification in a portfolio.
It’s worth deciphering how active 'active managers' are, whether their outperformance is sustainable, whether they cancel each other out and whether they are true to label. Know what you're paying for.
Big super funds are often crowded out from microcap opportunities due to limited capacity, leaving an opportunity for smaller funds and other investors provided the performance fees are fair.
General principles previously governed ethical investing, but both fund managers and clients now accept the more hard-nosed approach of eliminating certain companies from portfolios.
A more rational taxation system that supports home ownership but discourages asset speculation could provide greater financial support to first home buyers.
The capital gains tax discount is under review, but debate should go beyond its size. Its original purpose, design flaws and distortions suggest Australia could adopt a better, more targeted approach.
One in five Australians die before retirement and most have not set up their super properly so their loved ones can benefit from all their hard work and savings.
An ageing Australia is shifting the superannuation system’s focus from accumulation to the lifecycle of retirement. While these pressures have been anticipated for decades, they are now converging at scale and driving widespread industry change.
The best way to deal with the incoming Division 296 tax on superannuation is likely doing nothing. Earnings will be taxed regardless of where the money sits, so here are some important considerations.
The 20 years after Peter Costello left Treasury have been deemed wasted...by Peter Costello. The missed opportunities for Australia began long before.