This week may have been a short one work-wise, but it's one with an interesting theme. A comment I hear from many advisers is that there has been a dearth of new funds on the market. Indeed most of the new stuff has been a bond of some sort.

New Zealanders clearly recognise the need to save for retirement, despite the current economic conditions, with many believing they must supplement New Zealand Superannuation to enjoy the retirement they want, according to the latest AMP SuperWatch research.

When constructing portfolios, we typically think of allocations to shares, bonds, cash, commodities, and real estate. Infrastructure is increasingly being considered as an investment class in its own right, offering a unique risk and reward profile.

After making the sale, our work begins to keep them as clients. We’ve identified five things we do that help turn our customers into our lifelong clients:

After a considerable absence from the market Liontamer is looking to roll out its first new offer this year in June. The new offer is something a little different to previous offers.

Finance and accounting professionals are split over KiwiSaver, with almost half of them not contributing to the scheme, according to results from a survey carried out by recruitment firm Robert Half.

Ian Smedley has recently joined Public Trust as National Manager, Business Services based in Auckland.

AMP Notes close; NZX data shows debt issuance towers above equity this year

Tower’s fund managers win awards; Forsyth Barr expands to Taranaki;

The directors of the Five Star group of companies have been banned from directing or managing companies in New Zealand.

New Zealand and Australia are weathering global financial and economic distresses better than most. This month we comment on the recent equity market rallies. Peter Lynn warns “don’t be fooled”.

In this month’s Tyndall comment, Andrew Hunt discusses Tyndall's expectation that New Zealand’s recession will deepen further in coming months. And, the different paths emerging for both NZ and Australian economies.

Wellington

Cashed-up baby boomers take advantage of perceived bargains in the property market, Veda Advantange says. It reports that mortgage applications were up 38% in March, compared to the same month last year.