Intra-fund advice has created advice unfairness A West Australian adviser has told the Federal Treasury that industry funds have been allowed to hide behind intra-fund advice and to create an environment that favours one group of financial advisers over others. For more.

PI ‘not worth the paper it’s written on’ The Federal Treasury has received yet more warnings that before it embarks on a compensation scheme of last resort it should fix professional indemnity insurance in circumstances where, often, it is not worth the paper it is written on. For more.

Why the times are suiting HUB24 The exit of the big banks and the consequent net outflows from the big institutional platforms is playing to the strengths of specialist platform providers. For more.

Strong lead for US high yield funds Three CFS funds are leading the way in the global bond sector, according to data. For more.

EMD unaffected by coronavirus Emerging market debt has so far escaped unscathed from the coronavirus as it is expected it will only cause a temporary impact on growth in these markets. For more.

Which sectors got to a jump start in 2020? After a strong finish to 2020, which equity sectors have led the way for January? For more.

Life insurance take up drops 9% Almost one-third of a survey’s respondents said life insurance products confused them and 65% of people without the product would rely on savings if they contracted a major illness and could not earn income. For more.

BetaShares launches Aussie tech ETF BetaShares has launched its first exchange traded fund focused on providing access to Australia’s technology sector. For more.

Former analyst pleads guilty to insider trading NSW-based Michael Ming Jinn Ho, a former investment analyst, has pleaded guilty to insider trading in securities of Big Un Limited. For more.

Qld SMSF adviser permanently banned William Houwing (known as Jack Houwing) failed to act in the best interests of his self-managed superannuation fund clients by recommending they lend money to his related entities. For more.

Has APRA’s tough move on agreed value DII changed the game for good? Mike Taylor writes that few, if any, of the major players are arguing that the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority got it wrong with its major intervention with respect to agreed value disability insurance, but can the insurers now get it right? For more.

The big alternative questions Oksana Patron finds out how advisers can incorporate alternative investment strategies into their clients’ portfolio, what they need to understand about alternative investing and what are common investor misconceptions. For more.