Tributes flow for Stewart Group founder.

As geopolitical tensions rise stoking investors’ fears of a recession in the US, core drivers of returns should remain in focus for investors and advisers selecting ETFs, according to Morningstar.

Women generally live longer than men but many are favouring a more conservative “set and forget” approach to their investments, according to new data from ANZ Investments.

Investors interested in adding ETFs into their portfolio should be less swayed by well-known brand labels and pay close attention to what is underneath, says the research house.

The regulator says it is on track to approve 77 licence applications under the incoming Conduct of Financial Institutions (CoFI) regime which takes effect at the end of March.

As KiwiSaver balances continue to swell the scheme is becoming a cash cow for investment managers, prompting one industry observer to question why there is not more downward pressure on fees.

A handy advisor tool in the form of the Massey University Retirement Expenditure Guidelines, published annually, provides a useful snapshot of how the post-work years are shaping up for the baby boomer generation.

The shift away from promoting ESG values in corporate culture abroad has yet to trickle down to New Zealand, according to one local fund manager, with companies seemingly holding firm on their commitments to best practice.

A locally-managed thematic fund is showing early signs of promise although US President Trump’s market-moving rhetoric is helping keep its manager on his toes.

Scammers are finding new and creative ways to impersonate New Zealand financial service providers with the help of AI, prompting the FMA to get more specific with its public warnings.

With confidence in KiwiSaver underpinned by members’ ability to switch funds types and providers at a drop of hat, just how that will marry with long-term investment in potentially illiquid private assets remains in question.

Strong client demand for big name US ETFs has prompted investment platform InvestNow to expand its offering of low-cost locally-packaged options.

An almost complete lack of transparency around sources of data for AI will continue to present a challenge to investors looking for exposure to AI themes or to invest in companies using AI in their business, according to global research house MSCI.

The catch-all label ESG used in proving funds’ credentials is falling further out of favour as asset managers adapt in the second Trump era.

KiwiSaver members are repeatedly dipping into their funds to get them out of financial hardship in some cases to the extent they’re landing back at a zero balance.

The latest Morningstar KiwiSaver report shows the largest provider ANZ with $22 billion under management continues to be outperformed by most other providers in the core diversified fund categories.