KiwiSaver gender gap widest in middle-age

Balances have climbed after a year of strong market performance but women are still being left well behind as compound interest works its magic on their male counterparts’ larger balances in the lead-up to retirement.

Research from actuaries MJW based on data from KiwiSaver providers and released today by the Retirement Commission shows the average KiwiSaver balance is $37,079, up by $5,256 on the previous year.

The 25% difference in average balance between men and women has remained steady for the past two years. The average balance for women is $34,185 while for men it is $42,664.

As KiwiSaver members age, the ...MORE»

Spark's continuing slide helps drive NZ sharemarket down 0.8%, over 7% for the year Monday, March 17th, 6:26PM Leading telco Spark continued its slide, with a2 Milk hitting a four-year high, Smartpay having two takeover bids, and the New Zealand sharemarket starting the new week with a 0.8% fall. MORE»

[The Wrap] Just when you thought there would be less there's more. Saturday, March 15th, 10:11AM About a year ago a senior executive at a life insurance company told me we have too many life insurers in New Zealand and there needed to be more consolidation. MORE»

Sheep Sheds and Credit Spreads

Mint Asset Management investment analyst Ryan Falls reckons, well his Dad reckoned, he was not got at counting sheep on the family farm. But with hard work and having a good framework things have changed.

By Ryan Falls, Investment Analyst, Mint Asset Management

People who work in professional services often start autobiographical profiles on their journey into their career with a contrived metaphor that loosely relates to their chosen career, and this text will be no different.

‘If you don’t want to do the work then forget about it’ – admittedly harsh words directed at me, ...MORE»

Passive ETFs need active consideration Friday, March 14th, 6:00AM 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. MORE»

[GRTV] Tiger FinTech’s Greg Boland on market shifts and NZX struggles Thursday, March 13th, 6:04AM Greg Boland of Tiger FinTech discusses the fading dominance of the Magnificent Seven stocks, a shift to energy and AI-app companies, and the NZX’s struggles. MORE»

News Bites

Turbocharge your brand

Heathcote Investment Partners has launched a new initiative designed to support and empower the financial advice industry in New Zealand. MORE»

GoodReturns TV

[GRTV] Antipodes portfolio manager discusses emerging markets fund's potential amid volatility

Antipodes Portfolio Manager John Stavliotis discusses the opportunities in emerging markets, their strong growth potential and diversification benefits.  MORE»

Harbour Outlook: An inflection point to come for earnings?

The US economy may finally be starting to crack. Business surveys suggest the services sector is now contracting and real-time measures of Q1 GDP suggest the economy is in retreat. Retail sales were unexpectedly weak, and consumer confidence has dropped. The housing market is also showing signs of strain with both housing starts and sales dropping. MORE»

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The reason why health insurance premiums are soaring

A new report shows medical costs in New Zealand have seen some of the sharpest increases in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide. MORE»

TMM Online

Kiwibank says cost of adviser business is marginal

The cost to a bank of using mortgage advisers to originate mortgages is marginal compared to the cost of running its own proprietary origination operation, according to Kiwibank chief executive Steve Jurkovich. MORE»

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UniMed makes leadership changes

UniMed chief executive Louise Zacest is stepping down at the end of March. MORE»

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No lid on KiwiSaver fees as balances grow

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. MORE»