Super matters

• (15.01.10)

  Quarterly Investment Update - December 2009

  Financial markets made good ground over the December quarter as investors continued to warm to the prospects of a global economic recovery.  The improving outlook meant that returns from higher-risk assets such as shares and property were stronger than those from lower-risk assets such as cash and fixed interest.

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• (27.10.09)

  Quarterly Investment Update: July - September 2009

  Financial markets powered ahead over the September quarter as investors grew steadily more optimistic about a global economic recovery. World sharemarkets jumped 14.6% over the period in their local currency terms. On top of the strong gains posted in the previous quarter, most markets have risen significantly above the gloomy lows of early March this year, though still remain below their highs reached in late 2007.

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• (22.07.09)

  Quarterly Investment Update: April - June 2009

  Financial markets posted generally solid returns for the April-to-June quarter, as investors grew cautiously optimistic that the worst of the global economic slowdown may be behind us - a welcome respite from the poor returns and gloomy sentiment of previous quarters.  Whilst new data continued to paint a fairly gloomy picture of current conditions in the world's major economies, investors took comfort in the silver lining that began to emerge on what's been a very dark economic cloud.

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• (10.06.09)

  Changes to superannuation announced in the Federal budget and the potential impacts for our members

  Whilst the recent Federal Budget did not serve to change the Australian superannuation system fundamentally, there remains some speculation that the recommendations from the Henry and Harmer reviews may lead to further changes to super later this year.

  In light of this, many members are unsure about the future of their super and are asking GESB for more information and education around this topic.

  To help our members make sense of the various reviews into the superannuation and retirement income systems, we think it is a good idea to briefly explain the rationale behind the current systems in Australia.

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• (16.04.09)

  Quarterly Market Review: January - March 2009

  The headline economic data remained downbeat as the first quarter of 2009 drew to an end. Growth is in negative territory across all of the world's major economies. The world looks set for its worst year of growth since World War II. Household wealth is continuing to contract and there may well be further job losses to come.

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• (30.03.09)

  What are 'Alternative' Assets?

  Alternatives are assets that provide investment opportunities outside the traditional asset class groups of equities, fixed interest, property and cash. 

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• (05.03.09)

  Listed versus Unlisted assets

  Recent media reports have debated the differing performance of superannuation funds and how holding listed and unlisted assets may have contributed to a gap in performance. GESB''s Chief Investment Officer, Sharon Hicks, provides a view on this topic and what it means for GESB's investment portfolio.

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• (30.01.09)

  Investment update

  By Ralph Leib, Senior Investment Strategist

  2008 will be remembered for the severe downturn witnessed in financial markets. Global shares experienced their second largest fall on record, as the initial sub-prime credit crisis in the US broadened into a large-scale global credit and liquidity crisis.  Many leading financial institutions such as Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers, which had survived the 'Great Depression', collapsed under a burden of write-offs and losses that wiped out their balance sheets. Fortunately, GESB's fund managers have had limited exposure to these institutions and direct portfolio impact has been immaterial.   In the UK, the banking system came close to collapse before the UK Government moved to support the sector by taking material ownership stakes in a number of financial institutions.

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• (30.01.09)

  How do GESB's cash rate returns compare with potential interest earned from money market rates and fixed term deposits?

  Michael Heffernan, head of advice at GESB, answers your questions.

  The cash elements of GESB's Investment Plans invest in bank bills and other short-term cash type investments like cash deposits and securities issued by governments, highly-rated banks and corporations. The West State Super Cash Plan is similar to a cash management account in that your money is invested in cash securities, although of course being in the superannuation environment there are limits on withdrawing your money from any Plan, unlike a cash management account.

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• (01.12.08)

  What are Alternative Assets?

  Members have been asking GESB when we are likely to see the bottom of the market. Sharon Hicks, chief investment officer at GESB, responds.

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• (30.11.08)

  Some worry about the economy. Others get good advice.

  Michael Heffernan, head of advice at GESB, answers a question received from a member who has already retired.

  It is normal to be concerned about the economy during this time of global financial crisis. GESB Financial Advice* can provide expert guidance to help you protect and maximise your wealth in the current market.

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