AMP LIMITED

Testing times for stock pickers

22 May 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Testing times for stock pickers

BlackRock’s restructure should have sent a shudder through the highly paid stock pickers who form the backbone of Australia’s active equities funds management industry.

CBA can count on a fierce battle

21 May 2012 | Sally Patten

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | CBA can count on a fierce battle

Patten | If the poaching wars between MLC and AMP are anything to go by, CBA and its subsidiary Count have quite a fight on their hands.

Arter to head BlackRock’s restructured equities business

21 May 2012 | Leng Yeow

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Bloodied BlackRock plans restructure

Updated | Global funds manager BlackRock has unveiled a major restructure of its Australian equities business and appointed Justin Arter as its new chief executive.

Who will win the super fight?

19 May 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Who will win thesuper fight?

An avalanche of regulatory changes are opening up opportunities for a bigger share of a $1.4 trillion pot of gold.

AMP (AMP)

17 May 2012 | Duncan hughes

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 27 |

Wealth manager AMP faces a tough outlook given its main drivers of revenue and earnings are the volumes and direction of markets.

Talks resume to reshape fading mall joint ventures

15 May 2012 | Robert Harley

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Talks resume to reshape fading AMP, Westfield mall joint ventures

Westfield Group and Westfield Retail Trust are again talking to AMP Capital about reorganising their $9 billion portfolio of jointly owned and managed shopping centres.

AMP (AMP)

10 May 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 33 |

AMP chief executive Craig Dunn believes the global financial crisis was a game changer for the world economy.

AMP flows reflect weak market

10 May 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

AMP wealth management’s cashflows out Thursday morning “show the market still remains soft,” an analyst says.

Super changes sabotage certainty: AMP

10 May 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Super changes sabotage certainty: AMP

Federal government “tinkering” with superannuation and tax is jeopardising the nation’s savings, the chiefs of AMP, the largest wealth manager, warn.

Nothing super in $8bn retirement strip

10 May 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Nothing super about $8bn retirement strip

Nearly $8 billion has been stripped out of the nation’s super system since 2008 and growing uncertainty means people are likely to opt to rely on their own wits to provide for retirement.

Retail stocks could be hit by super cap reduction

10 May 2012 | Joanna Heath

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 39 | Retail in line for super cap knock

A reduction in the superannuation contributions cap for older taxpayers to $25,000 and the doubling of the contributions tax for higher-income earners will be a challenge for wealth management stocks, analysts say.

AMP allows votes via smartphone

10 May 2012 | David Ramli

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 36 | AMP allows votes via smartphone

Where shareholders were once forced to vote by mail or in conference centres, they’ll soon be able to do it from the comfort of their Apple iPhones.

Industry slams rise in withholding tax

10 May 2012 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 13 | Industry slams rise in withholding levy

Tax rises for foreigners with stakes in investment trusts will jeopardise investment in crucial infrastructure, industry participants say.

Wealth firms in impact zone

08 May 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 08 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Wealth firms in impact zone

A number of companies are expected to come under pressure as a result of the federal government’s commitment to fiscal tightening in the budget.

AMP extends contract

07 May 2012 | Paul Smith

PRINT: 08 May 2012 | PAGE 27 | AMP extends contract

AMP has signed a $220 million technology contract extension with Computer Sciences Corporation, for it to provide support to the merged operations of AMP and AXA Asia Pacific Holdings.

Healthcare faces pain from budget cuts

05 May 2012 | Jane Searle

PRINT: 05 May 2012 | PAGE 23 | Healthcare faces pain from budget cuts

A contractionary budget is expected to hurt or stymie growth in several sectors, despite the relief of a further 0.75 percentage points in rate cuts expected from the Reserve Bank this year.

Creating AMP’s team from sworn rivals needs a map

05 May 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 05 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | It’s a big ask: make a team out of old enemies

Paul Sainsbury has been given three years to consign to history more than 100 years of fierce rivalry between AMP and AXA, while generating annual synergies of more than $140 million.

Advisers gear up for SMSF growth

26 April 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 23 April 2012 | PAGE 32 | Advisers gear up for SMSF growth

AMP is the best-placed major wealth manager to tap into self-managed superannuation as it rapidly transforms from a cottage industry, according Morgan Stanley.

APRA urged to enforce global standards for super funds

17 April 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 19 | APRA urged to enforce global standards

The superannuation regulator is being urged to ensure that super funds are complying with universal reporting standards to address the lack of consistency in the way returns are disclosed and conveyed to members.

Company briefs

30 March 2012 |

PRINT: 30 March 2012 | PAGE 20 |

Mineral Resources founder and executive director Chris Ellison has sold 3.4 million shares for $41.4 million, continuing a run of recent share sales by directors of the mining and mining services company.

Once a basket case, now a slam dunk

22 March 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 32 | Once a basket case, now a slam dunk

Talking to AIA Group chief Mark Tucker about his business in 14 Asian countries, you realise the sacrifice of AXA shareholders last year.

$300m overhaul for Tullamarine

22 March 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 19 | $300m overhaul for airport

Melbourne Airport has unveiled plans for a new terminal and improvements to clogged access roads as part of a $300 million overhaul.

Government, ASX under fire over MF Global

19 March 2012 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 19 March 2012 | PAGE 2 | Govt, ASX under fire over MF Global

Major superannuation fund AMP has joined angry investors of failed broker MF Global Australia in calling for the federal government to close a legal loophole in the wake of the collapse.

Business backs indigenous forum

14 March 2012 |

PRINT: 14 March 2012 | PAGE 60 | Business backs forum

Leading business and indigenous figures will gather tomorrow night at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Sydney for a gala dinner to mark the Constitutional Recognition Forum.

Challenge out to all super funds

12 March 2012 | John Brogden

PRINT: 12 March 2012 | PAGE 55 | Challenge out to all super funds

Would any reasonable person invest in a company that had no independent directors, refused to disclose the remuneration of its directors, allowed related party transactions without disclosure and allowed directors to sit on the boards of their competitors?

BT goes for the Count

12 March 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 12 March 2012 | PAGE 22 | BT goes for the Count

BT Financial Group, the wealth-management division of Westpac, has recruited five financial advisory groups from Count Financial, which was last year acquired by the Commonwealth Bank.

AMP to make property splash with loan pool

08 March 2012 | Gretchen Friemann

PRINT: 08 March 2012 | PAGE 50 | AMP to make a splash with loan pool

AMP Capital Investors has joined the race into Australia’ $60 billion commercial property lending market in a bid to capitalise on the retreat of the main banks and the exit of offshore lenders from the sector.

AMP adds Futuro to its offerings

08 March 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 08 March 2012 | PAGE 31 | AMP adds Futuro to its offerings

AMP is taking over independent financial adviser group Futuro Financial Services to boost its distribution and help lift sales of its investment products.

Planners claim payback by AMP

05 March 2012 | Leng Yeow

PRINT: 05 March 2012 | PAGE 22 | AMP playing dirty: planners

AMP has been accused of employing dirty tactics, including blocking financial planners from accessing their clients’ files, as punishment for defecting.

Blue-chip weakness gives investors sinking feeling

03 March 2012 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 03 March 2012 | PAGE 23 | Blue-chip weakness gives investors sinking feeling

Blue chips are testing the faith of some investors as Australia’s largest and best known household names produce returns that have lagged the market.

AMP team talks deals in Tokyo

02 March 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 02 March 2012 | PAGE 23 | AMP team talks deals in Tokyo

A team of AMP Capital investment chiefs is headed to Tokyo to discuss product strategies for the Japanese market after signing a $425 million alliance with Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking.

Funds make a beeline for Port Botany

28 February 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 28 February 2012 | PAGE 20 | Global funds make a beeline for Port Botany

The deadline to lodge bids for the $2 billion sale of Port Botany is still three months away but the number of infrastructure funds circling the asset is growing rapidly.

Bespoke malls now the norm

23 February 2012 | Zoe Fielding

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 58 | Bespoke malls now the norm

Retail sales have been flat-lining for months but some shopping centre owners are still pouring money into renovating their malls.

AMP echoes call to delay finance laws

22 February 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 22 February 2012 | PAGE 43 | AMP echoes call to delay finance laws

AMP chief executive Craig Dunn has joined other leading wealth managers to urge the federal government to set back the 1 July deadline for future of financial advice laws.

AMP (AMP)

17 February 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 20 February 2012 | PAGE 25 |

AMP posted an 11 per cent drop in 2011 net profit in a year marked by continued difficult market conditions, the integration of old rival AXA, and a breakthrough deal for plans to build its overseas asset management operation.

AMP (AMP)

17 February 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

Deutsche Bank has maintained its “buy” recommendation on AMP, following Thursday’s full-year result, which was in line with consensus on an underlying basis.

Synergies? That’s the easy part

17 February 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 17 February 2012 | PAGE 60 | Synergies? That’s the easy part

Shareholders promised great things by Westpac and AMP from two big takeover deals will have to be patient, it seems.

Tracking well on AXA merger

17 February 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 17 February 2012 | PAGE 45 | Tracking well on AXA

AMP is entering the second phase of its three-year project to merge traditional rival AXA into its fold, extract more synergies and build a “new AMP” that can leverage its domestic and international potential, according to chief executive Craig Dunn.

AMP’s net profit slumps to $688m

16 February 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 17 February 2012 | PAGE 45 | AMP’s net profit falls

Updated | AMP has posted an 11 per cent drop in net profit and assured investors that its integration of the AXA business would not be delayed by higher costs and difficult market conditions.

Interest rates offered by lenders

15 February 2012 |

The latest standard variable home loan rates offered by major lenders.

Share buyback plans don’t always follow through

13 February 2012 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 13 February 2012 | PAGE 20 | Share buyback plans don’t always follow through

Reporting season steps up a notch this week with the likes of Leighton Holdings, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and AMP due to post numbers. But one thing that has been missing so far is capital management.

AXA assets for sale, fund to reopen

07 February 2012 | Ben Wilmot

PRINT: 07 February 2012 | PAGE 47 | AXA assets for sale, fund to reopen

AMP Capital Investors has taken control of the formerly AXA Australia-managed Wholesale Australian Property Fund and plans to reopen the $760 million trust as it sells non-core properties out of its 17-strong portfolio.

Sweetheart deals: fear of tears

06 February 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 06 February 2012 | PAGE 46 | Sweetheart deals: fear of tears

Wealth managers are using sweetheart deals to attract and retain advisers and their funds under management, despite fears that continued weak markets could put pressure on their balance sheets if a large number take up the terms.

Low-cost MySuper threat to wealth firms

03 February 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 03 February 2012 | PAGE 26 | Low-cost MySuper threat to advisers

The introduction of low cost superannuation is still a way off, but some analysts believe it is likely to put pressure on financial services firms IOOF Holdings and Perpetual.

AMP is in for a strong 2012, say brokers

02 February 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 02 February 2012 | PAGE 29 | AMP in for a strong 2012, say brokers

AMP is tipped to be one of the strongest sharemarket performers in 2012, as the company’s sheer size and focus on wealth management puts it ahead of the pack in a changing regulatory environment.

Train investor slams contractors

30 January 2012 | Jenny Wiggins

PRINT: 30 January 2012 | PAGE 3 | Train investor slams contractors

An investor in NSW’s financially distressed train building consortium has criticised contractors that take minority stakes in their own projects.

Back door swings wide open

27 January 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 28 January 2012 | PAGE 64 | Back door swings wide open

The long-term hibernation of the IPO market in Australia is likely to lead to greater use of back-door listings as well as increased complexity in the structuring of M&A deals.

AMP demands law firm panels are value for money

27 January 2012 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 27 January 2012 | PAGE 42 | AMP demands panels are value for money

AMP has begun the year with radical changes to its law firm panel arrangements in a bid to minimise legal costs, promote cheap offshore legal process outsourcing (LPO) and break its dependence on the biggest national law firms.

Shorten blind-sided on FoFA

24 January 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 24 January 2012 | PAGE 48 | Shorten blind-sided on FoFA

Bill Shorten must have wondered what hit him when financial planners revealed glaring holes in his financial advice reforms.

25,000 financial advice jobs at risk, AMP warns

23 January 2012 | Ruth Liew

PRINT: 24 January 2012 | PAGE 3 | Threat seen to 25,000 wealth jobs

Updated | Up to 25,000 jobs could be lost in the financial advice industry if the government’s planned reforms were to go ahead in their current form, wealth management group AMP has warned.

AMP Ltd (AMP)

20 January 2012 | Brendon lau

Citigroup has warned that AMP could disappoint on the dividend front as it believes that the investment manager will report a statutory profit that is that is significantly lower than its underlying profit.

Westfield loses case over $560 million Karrinyup centre trust

19 January 2012 | Ben Wilmot

PRINT: 19 January 2012 | PAGE 41 | Westfield loses case over $560 million Karrinyup centre trust

Westfield Group has lost a court case to prevent superannuation fund UniSuper from voting to wind up the trust that owns Perth’s $560 million Karrinyup centre.

Merrill cuts AMP forecasts

18 January 2012 |

PRINT: 18 January 2012 | PAGE 29 |

Merrill Lynch has reduced its earnings per share forecast for wealth manager AMP by 3 per cent for each of the next three years, reflecting lower funds under management, lower interest rates and more shares in issue.

Telstra: special dividend on table

17 January 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 17 January 2012 | PAGE 48 | Telstra: special dividend on table

David Thodey’s comments about capital management ought to reignite interest in a stock that was one of last year’s best performers.

Financial Services briefs

13 January 2012 |

PRINT: 13 January 2012 | PAGE 37 |

AMP chairman Peter Mason acquired 3,030 shares in the wealth manager on January 5 as part of AMP’s payment of director fees in the form of shares.

Smaller players on home ground

10 January 2012 | Jane Searle

PRINT: 10 January 2012 | PAGE 5 | Smaller players on home ground

Australian Finance Group says lenders competing with the big four banks could regain the 30 per cent share of the mortgage market they held before the credit crisis, if borrowing trends in December continue.

AMP (AMP)

09 January 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 10 January 2012 | PAGE 23 |

Expectations are high the joint venture between AMP and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust (MUTB), Japan’s biggest financial services company, will lead to the launch of wholesale investment products during the first half of 2012.

AMP eyes Japan’s high-yield potential

09 January 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 09 January 2012 | PAGE 35 | AMP eyes Japan’s high-yield potential

AMP Capital’s head of European infrastructure, Boe Pahari, will meet with the chiefs of Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation (MUTB) next month to discuss developing joint strategies.

Takeover has clients in mood to switch

05 January 2012 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 05 January 2012 | PAGE 35 | Takeover has AMP, AXA clients in mood to switch

AMP’s gruelling 17-month battle to take over AXA Asia Pacific Holdings appears to have taken a toll on the confidence of some superannuation product-holders.

Productivity, public policy trouble CEOs

28 December 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 28 December 2011 | PAGE 2 | Productivity, public policy trouble CEOs

The chief executive of Rio Tinto has warned that Australia needs to address its lagging productivity or risk falling into the reform complacency that has led to the problems facing Europe.

Institutional investors | Steely nerves underpin bargain hunt

19 December 2011 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 19 December 2011 | PAGE 19 | Steely nerves underpin bargain hunt

Institutional shareholders have been selectively buying beaten down stocks in the approach to Christmas in the hope of some upside surprises next year.

Sevior exit adds to dark mood for Perpetual and peers

15 December 2011 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 15 December 2011 | PAGE 25 | Sevior departure adds to gloom

The departure of Perpetual’s star stock picker John Sevior comes at a bad time for the wealth manager, with the entire sector lagging the broader market.

Andy Penn so much more than a bean-counter

15 December 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 15 December 2011 | PAGE 18 | So much more than a bean-counter

A love of rich-man toys is not the only thing the new chief financial officer of Telstra shares with fellow Melbourne resident Mike Smith, chief executive of Australia and New Zealand Bank.

AMP “buy” reiterated by Deutsche Bank

14 December 2011 | Anna Raissis

PRINT: 14 December 2011 | PAGE 29 |

Deutsche Bank has maintained its “buy” rating on AMP and price target of $5.65, after AMP entered a strategic alliance with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.

Perpetual to support Sevior

13 December 2011 | Sally Patten

PRINT: 13 December 2011 | PAGE 41 | Perpetual to support Sevior

Perpetual would be prepared to back an investment vehicle run by star stock picker John Sevior, who is tipped to branch out on his own.

AMP Ltd (AMP)

12 December 2011 | Anna Raissis

Deutsche Bank has maintained its “buy” rating on AMP Ltd, with a price target of $5.65, after AMP entered a strategic alliance with the trust and banking arm of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.

Deutsche backs AMP to outperform

12 December 2011 | Sarah Thompson and Stephen Shore

Deutsche Bank says Mitsubishi UFJ Financial’s move to take a stake in AMP Capital Investors verifies the wealth manager’s growth prospects.

AMP’s cautious move into Asia

12 December 2011 | Andrew White

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 52 | AMP’s cautious move into Asia

It’s long been a lament that Australia’s world class retirement savings industry has had so little success in exporting its skill to the rest of the world.

AMP has plans for Japan

10 December 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 10 December 2011 | PAGE 18 | AMP has plans for Japan

AMP is expected to launch wholesale investment products into the Japanese market with its new partner, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation.

AMP Capital in $425m deal to get big in Japan

09 December 2011 | Ben Woodhead

Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation has staked out a 15 per cent claim to AMP Capital Investors for $425 million under a new business and capital strategic alliance.

AMP widens funding base with syndicated loan

06 December 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 06 December 2011 | PAGE 40 | AMP widens funding base with syndicated loan

Wealth management group AMP has completed a $1 billion syndicated loan facility, the first time it has raised money in this way.

Banks: it’s not all that bad

29 November 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 29 November 2011 | PAGE 56 | Banks: it’s not all that bad

The inter-bank funding freeze in Europe is bad for Australia’s banks but don’t swallow the doom and gloom scenarios.

AMP chairman to head new financial research centre

22 November 2011 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 23 November 2011 | PAGE 47 | AMP chairman to head new research centre

AMP chairman Peter Mason has been appointed as the inaugural chairman of the new Centre for International Finance and Regulation.

Bosses in a huddle

11 November 2011 | Staff reporters

PRINT: 11 November 2011 | PAGE 4 | Bosses in a huddle

It was a big turnout from the CEO club last night as more than 450 leaders attended the Business Council of Australia’s annual dinner.

AMP Capital bets against recession

09 November 2011 | Sarah McDonald

PRINT: 09 November 2011 | PAGE 31 | AMP Capital bets against recession

AMP Capital Investors, an Australian money manager with about $US30 billion in fixed-income assets, is betting Europe’s debt crisis won’t spur global recession.

Multiport expands broker offering

07 November 2011 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

AMP’s self-managed superannuation fund administrator Multiport has watered down an exclusive arrangement with its preferred mortgage broker.

Retail stocks gain appeal as rates fall

04 November 2011 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 04 November 2011 | PAGE 31 | Retail stocks gain appeal as rates fall

Retail related stocks featured prominently in the substantial notices over the past week ahead of the interest rate cut on Melbourne Cup day.

Advisers urge electricity split to whet buyers’ appetite

01 November 2011 | Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 01 November 2011 | PAGE 4 | Advisers urge NSW electricity split to whet buyers’ appetite

A sale of NSW’s electricity poles and wires, if split into digestible parts, would attract superannuation funds, sovereign wealth funds and private equity.

AMP’s SMSF administrators go head-to-head

01 November 2011 |

The CEO of self-managed superannuation fund administrator Multiport has no plans to use the latest investment and compliance technology part owned by parent company AMP.

AMP bets on SMSF game changer

31 October 2011 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 01 November 2011 | PAGE 43 | SuperIQ will boost AMP’s score

AMP’s investment in a new administration system for SMSFs may be about to pay off, with the man behind it claiming SuperIQ will break accountants’ stranglehold.

AMP cash flows as AXA taken into the fold

28 October 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 28 October 2011 | PAGE 50 | AMP cash flows as AXA taken into the fold

AMP delivered improved cash flows in banking, wealth protection and superannuation despite bearish markets taking a toll on its assets under management.

Client loss pushes AMP’s cash outflow to $335m

27 October 2011 |

AMP reported net cash outflows were $335 million at AMP Financial Services for the quarter to September after the wealth manager lost a major client.

AXA rises to CBA challenge

21 October 2011 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 21 October 2011 | PAGE 49 | AXA rises to SMSF challenge

The battle for self-managed super funds is heating up as AMP’s AXA prepares to compete head on with Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

AMP forced offshore on bonds

19 October 2011 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 19 October 2011 | PAGE 51 | AMP forced offshore on bonds

AMP says it wants to invest in Australian corporate debt onshore but is sometimes forced offshore due to the lack of a sophisticated domestic bond market.

AMP (AMP)

17 October 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 18 October 2011 | PAGE 30 |

A major driver of wealth manager AMP’s revenue and earnings is the level and direction of equity markets, particularly Australian markets.

CFO ready to step up after 12 months of learning

13 October 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 14 October 2011 | PAGE 52 | CFO ready to step up after 12 months of learning

Wealth manager AMP’s new chief financial officer, Colin Storrie, will have spent 12 months being groomed for the role by the time he replaces Paul Leaming in January.

Analyse this, if you’re game

08 October 2011 |

PRINT: 08 October 2011 | PAGE 22 | Analyse this, if

News Corporation has always been a little sensitive about what analysts and fund managers say.

European hopes help reassure investors

06 October 2011 | claire stewart

Before the Bell | Equities have rallied in Europe and on Wall Street on hopes that eurozone officials might soon have a plan to prop up the banking sector ■ SPI up 69 pts ■ DAX up 4.91pc ■ S&P up 1.79pc ■ $A rises above US96.4¢ ■ Broker Watch: Transfield, FMG, CSL

No News good news for AMP

06 October 2011 | Angus Grigg

PRINT: 05 October 2011 | PAGE 1 | No News good news for AMP

Australia’s largest fund managers’ omission of News Corp’s phone hacking scandal in its recent corporate governance report was no mistake.

Australian funds top Asia list

05 October 2011 | Scott Elliott

PRINT: 05 October 2011 | PAGE 55 | Aussie funds head Asia list

Australia is home to some of the largest fund managers in Asia accounting for a large portion of the region’s total real estate assets under management.

AMP cites planners as its defence

05 October 2011 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 05 October 2011 | PAGE 46 | AMP cites

AMP is expected to use its strong financial planner base to fend off competition from rival banks and super funds that are launching new low-cost products.

$A, shares hit by Greek default threat

04 October 2011 | claire stewart

Before the Bell | Investors have fled risky assets overnight, driving US stocks down over 2 per cent and the Australian dollar to 12-month lows, on renewed fears of a Greek debt default ■ Dow closes down 2.4pc ■ SPI down 46pts ■ $A at US95.20¢.

Property briefs

04 October 2011 |

PRINT: 04 October 2011 | PAGE 56 |

MPGA, the private equity real estate adviser part owned by Macquarie Group, will launch a core-plus fund to give German institutional investors opportunities in Asia.

Hard work begins for AMP boss

04 October 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 03 October 2011 | PAGE 1 | Hard work begins for AMP boss

AMP chief Craig Dunn is alert to the mounting threats posed by all corners of the wealth industry and is betting the purchase of AXA in Australia and New Zealand will help AMP be more competitive.

Industry plans for Big Bang reality

27 September 2011 | Sally Patten

PRINT: 27 September 2011 | PAGE 56 | Industry plans for Big Bang reality

The financial planning land grab is well and truly under way. Potential sellers of advice businesses know it.

Westfield blocks shopping mall sell-off move

21 September 2011 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 21 September 2011 | PAGE 51 | Westfield blocks shopping mall sell-off move

Westfield has blocked an attempt by superannuation group UniSuper to wind up the trust that owns Karrinyup shopping centre in Perth.

Top dogs ready to back down

15 September 2011 |

PRINT: 15 September 2011 | PAGE 40 | Top dogs ready to back down

Excitement is building for the annual abseil down Sydney’s rather tall AMP Tower to raise money for charity.

CBA expects ACCC approval for Count takeover

15 September 2011 | George Liondis

PRINT: 14 September 2011 | PAGE 24 | CBA hopeful of ACCC approval for Count deal

CBA will argue it won’t be the dominant player in the financial planning sector after a takeover of Count Financial in a bid to get the deal approved by the ACCC.

‘Bricks and clicks’ go together

14 September 2011 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 14 September 2011 | PAGE 54 | ‘Bricks and clicks’ go together

The divide between shopping centres and the internet is not as wide as we think, a new report from AMP Capital Shopping Centres shows.

Advisers flouting rules, ASIC says

14 September 2011 | Sally Patten

PRINT: 14 September 2011 | PAGE 6 | Advisers flouting rules: watchdog

The regulator has found damning evidence of biased sales practices.

Bright spots amid disasters, global doubt

13 September 2011 | Jane Searle

PRINT: 13 September 2011 | PAGE 7 | Bright spots amidst natural disasters and global doubt

Natural disasters, slow credit growth, cautious investors and volatile equity markets were major obstacles for the financial sector in the reporting season and still affect the outlook.

Suncorp Citi’s top insurance stock

12 September 2011 | Sarah Thompson and Stephen Shore

Suncorp remains the preferred insurance pick of several brokers, including Citigroup, which ranks Suncorp as its top sector choice ahead of AMP, QBE Insurance and Insurance Australia Group.

BT Financial steals a march on rivals

09 September 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 09 September 2011 | PAGE 49 | BT Financial steals a march on rivals

BT Financial Group has taken a market-leading share of the wealth sector at the expense of its major banking rivals, Roy Morgan Research reveals.

Financial services briefs

08 September 2011 |

PRINT: 08 September 2011 | PAGE 47 |

WAM Capital has lodged a requisition to call a general meeting of Signature Capital Investments, formerly HFA Accelerator Plus, in a bid to remove the board.

Diversified financials doing it tough

08 September 2011 | Joanna Heath

PRINT: 08 September 2011 | PAGE 28 | Diversified financials doing it tough

The diversified financials sector is suffering because of low investor confidence and volatile financial markets.

AMP insurance sale a Dunn deal

06 September 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 06 September 2011 | PAGE 20 | AMP insurance sale a Dunn deal

With the $14.6 billion acquisition of AXA Asia Pacific to bed down, you’d think AMP chief executive Craig Dunn would have enough on his plate.

AMP set to offload Packer office block

05 September 2011 | Gretchen Friemann

PRINT: 05 September 2011 | PAGE 47 | AMP set to offload Packer office block

The former head office of the business empire built up by the late Kerry Packer has been sold off for a tidy profit by the insurance company that bought it two years ago.

AMP’s Salter reveals post-AXA panel review

02 September 2011 | Alex Boxsell

AMP general counsel Brian Salter discusses the AMP panel review for 2012 after the merger with AXA Asia Pacific

Consolidation game on in financial planning: Allert

02 September 2011 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 02 September 2011 | PAGE 49 | Consolidation game on: Allert

Former Axa chairman and current AMP non-executive director Rick Allert says the battle for more consolidation in financial planning sector has only just begun.

Big fee firms may lose their patrons

02 September 2011 | Alex Boxsell

PRINT: 02 September 2011 | PAGE 21 | Big fee firms may lose their patrons

Many major companies are reviewing their legal panels as they seek to end over-reliance on the largest and most expensive firms.

Is it time to revisit the ASX dog house?

31 August 2011 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 31 August 2011 | PAGE 28 | Blue chips may bounce after decade in dog house

The idea of buying the 10 worst blue chips is not new. But some are sceptical of the strategy.

Telstra gets the buzz on NBN

31 August 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 31 August 2011 | PAGE 60 | Telstra gets the buzz on NBN

Telstra’s David Thodey got a big wake-up call yesterday from the new chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Rod Sims.

Global threat to local IT wage growth

29 August 2011 | Brian Corrigan

PRINT: 29 August 2011 | PAGE 45 | Global threat to local IT wage growth

High demand for specialist skills has accelerated salary increases among the nation’s IT professionals but global economic concerns are threatening to reverse the trend.

AMP calms post merger result fears

24 August 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 24 August 2011 | PAGE 31 | AMP calms post-merger result fears

AMP’s first result following its merger with AXA Asia Pacific Holdings allayed many lingering fears about capital strength, planner attrition and its growth strategy.

National briefs

23 August 2011 |

PRINT: 23 August 2011 | PAGE 11 |

AMP general counsel Brian Salter was appointed a member of the Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee. Mr Salter replaces Ms Gabrielle Upton.

AMP Limited (AMP)

22 August 2011 | John McDuling

PRINT: 22 August 2011 | PAGE 29 |

At first glance, investors warmed to AMP’s half-year results last week but all of that was wiped out on Friday as fears over the global financial system again took hold.

AMP’s Salter joins CAMAC legal committee

22 August 2011 | Brad Hatch

AMP general counsel and company secretary Brian Salter has been appointed to the legal committee of the Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee

Eurobanks, insurers scrap over Reliance

22 August 2011 | PAULINA DURAN

With a month to go before embattled directors of Reliance Rail sign off on the accounts of the debt-laden investment vehicle, myriad stakeholders are positioning to limit their losses.

AMP Limited (AMP)

22 August 2011 | John McDuling

JPMorgan has lowered its earnings forecasts and target price on AMP after the company reported a half-year net profit of $349 million, below consensus estimates.

Markets on edge as reporting season cranks up

22 August 2011 | Anna raissis

Before the Bell | Global equity investors remain on edge as the local reporting season enters its busiest week ■ SPI up 3 pts ■ Markets await Jackson Hole conference ■ Gold soars ■ BlueScope net loss over $1bn, Amcor profit up 39pc ■ Broker Watch: Billabong, QBE, Santos

Time to build up the defences

20 August 2011 | Stephen Shore

PRINT: 20 August 2011 | PAGE 33 | Time to build up the defences

Friday’s market-wide sell off severely tested the nerve of investors who had been busy snapping up “bargains” earlier in the week.

AMP’s Dunn plays a blinder

19 August 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 19 August 2011 | PAGE 60 | AMP’s Dunn plays a blinder

In a profit reporting season where slight misses get hit for six, AMP chief executive Craig Dunn has been rewarded for a solid half-year result.

AMP survives a tough year in style

19 August 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 19 August 2011 | PAGE 47 | AMP survives a tough year in style

AMP yesterday posted a resilient result in difficult market conditions, reassuring investors the complicated merger with AXA Asia Pacific Holdings was on course.

Swoop on advisers

19 August 2011 | Duncan Hughes

PRINT: 19 August 2011 | PAGE 47 | Swoop on

There was chatter in the markets late yesterday that a major rival to AMP was completing plans for a swoop on former AXA advisers.

AMP eyes unhappy self-funded retirees

19 August 2011 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 19 August 2011 | PAGE 47 | Super fund targets dissatisfied self-funded retirees

AMP will focus on having the right mix of products and administration services to take advantage of the growth in the SMSF sector.

AMP-AXA merger produces real results

18 August 2011 | Sarah Thompson and Stephen Shore

AMP’s bedding down of its AXA acquisition impresses analysts as the wealth management company posts a better than expected profit result.

AXA integration the focus as AMP beats expectations

18 August 2011 | Duncan Hughes

Updated | AMP has lifted interim underlying profit 3 per cent to $455 million, its first result since completing the bitterly contested $14.6 billion merger with AXA Asia Pacific Holdings.

Employer groups canvassed on super choices

18 August 2011 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 18 August 2011 | PAGE 23 | Super funds lobby employers

The Financial Services Council is talking with employer groups to influence how up to $20bn flows into super default funds each year.

Perpetual makes smart call

17 August 2011 | Sally Patten

PRINT: 17 August 2011 | PAGE 52 | Correct weight: closure call overdue

Perpetual’s decision to close down its international equities division and sell the superannuation administration business is both welcome and overdue.

New Smartsuper owner faces challenges

16 August 2011 | Sally Patten

That Perpetual has sold its SMSF administration business smartsuper is perhaps no surprise. In February, the wealth manager conceded that Smartsuper “was unlikely to achieve the long-term growth that had been forecast” and took a $10.6m impairment charge on the unit.

Three forces for change

16 August 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 16 August 2011 | PAGE 12 | Three forces for change

There are three big forces that could transform Australia’s financial markets: China, superannuation and innovation.

Reckoning time of the real state of the economy

15 August 2011 |

PRINT: 15 August 2011 | PAGE 24 | Keen eyes on data to gauge the state of affairs

The flood of earnings results due this week could give investors greater clarity on the health of the economy following a week of extreme market volatility.

Financial Services briefs

12 August 2011 |

PRINT: 12 August 2011 | PAGE 49 |

Former chairman and director of Trio Capital, David Andrews, agreed to exit the financial services industry for nine years.

Triguboff happy to mix it with bank

11 August 2011 |

PRINT: 11 August 2011 | PAGE 42 | Triguboff happy to mix it with bank

Sydney apartments king Harry Triguboff’s disdain for the banks of this country is well known.

Bloodbath provides opportunities for investors

06 August 2011 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 06 August 2011 | PAGE 33 | Bloodbath provides opportunities for investors

Nothing was sacred in Friday’s market bloodbath, with many of the most popular blue-chip stocks suffering their worst one-day sell-off in more than a year.

AMP advice model set to be cloned

06 August 2011 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 06 August 2011 | PAGE 17 | AMP advice model set to be cloned

AMP’s move to raise its financial planning client base through ultra-low cost advice is likely to be followed by rival wealth managers.

Shares plunge 4pc as fear takes hold

06 August 2011 | John McDuling

PRINT: 06 August 2011 | PAGE 3 | Shares plunge 4pc as fear

Global markets descended into panic mode on Friday amid fresh concerns the debt crisis in Europe could threaten the world’s financial system.

AMP to offer cut-price budget advice

05 August 2011 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 05 August 2011 | PAGE 48 | AMP to offer cut-price assistance

The country’s largest financial planning group, AMP, is providing basic financial advice for as little as $150 in the hope that it will encourage more consumers to seek guidance about their savings.

French cheer AXA’s Asian deal with AMP

05 August 2011 | Sarah Thompson

PRINT: 05 August 2011 | PAGE 23 | French cheer

AXA SA, which paid the bulk of the acquisition cost to secure AXA assets in Asia from AMP, has quadrupled its net income to €4 billion ($5.3 billion).

New life for old buildings

02 August 2011 | Jacqueline McArthur

PRINT: 02 August 2011 | PAGE 3 | CBD evolution a

The race to retrofit old buildings for efficiency and smartgrid technology presents a multitrillion-dollar business opportunity.

Deal maker gets back to the table

30 July 2011 | Matthew Drummond

PRINT: 30 July 2011 | PAGE 16 | Deal maker gets back to the table

Boutique corporate advisor Greenhill Caliburn has had a major coup with the appointment of outgoing ACCC head Graeme Samuel as the head of its Melbourne office.

AMP (AMP)

25 July 2011 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 25 July 2011 | PAGE 31 |

Despite the benefits flowing from its $4.2 billion acquisition of AXA earlier this year, AMP shares have sunk 11.3 per cent since December 31.

Asian jitters on US debt stalemate

25 July 2011 | Joanna Heath

Before the Bell – US President Barack Obama, top lawmakers search for deal to avert US debt default ■ GrainCorp buys German malt business ■ SPI futures up 3 pts ■ Premier cuts guidance ■ Broker Watch: Myer, CBA, Macquarie Group, Virgin Blue

NAB picks up spoils of lost Axa bid

25 July 2011 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 25 July 2011 | PAGE 1 | NAB picks up spoils of lost Axa bid

National Australia Bank subsidiary MLC has poached up to 60 Axa Asia Pacific financial planning businesses recently acquired by AMP.

AMP takes a hike in Kathmandu

22 July 2011 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 22 July 2011 | PAGE 27 | AMP takes a hike in Kathmandu

As investors buckle up for a disappointing reporting season, fund managers are adjusting their holdings in consumer-exposed stocks.

AMP (AMP)

21 July 2011 | John McDuling

Deutsche Bank has cut its earnings forecasts for AMP, citing ongoing weakness in equity markets, a “subdued backdrop” for fund flows, one-off impacts from the Christchurch earthquake and an accounting charge relating to the AXA acquisition.

AMP hit by Specialty Fashion

19 July 2011 | TREVOR HOEY

AMP announces it is a substantial holder in Specialty Fashion Group with a stake of about 5.1 per cent, days after the fashion group provided disappointing guidance.

Company briefs

19 July 2011 |

PRINT: 19 July 2011 | PAGE 22 |

Mining and civil contractor NRW Holdings has won two new contracts with West Australian iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group.

Positive house data

18 July 2011 |

PRINT: 18 July 2011 | PAGE 24 | positive HOUSE DATA

Investors should expect housing-related data to show signs of stabilisation or improvement.

Row puts hole in super report

14 July 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 14 July 2011 | PAGE 64 | Row puts hole in super report

There is a big piece missing from the report on superannuation reform being delivered to Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten this week.