Exchange-traded bonds (XTB) have now given retail investors an avenue to access the corporate bond market following their launch on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) recently.

Perennial Value Management has broadened access to its Wealth Defender Equities offering, aimed at providing additional self-directed investor and in particular SMSF member appeal for the product via a listed investment company structure.

The outlook of SMSF trustees should be increasingly positive as a result of the government’s declaration of support for the key principles of superannuation and increased ATO and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) sector surveillance, according to the SMSF Association.

The industry and major political parties needed to take a common-ground approach to dealing with the many challenges facing the superannuation sector, especially complex SMSF issues, the opposition financial services and superannuation spokesman Bernie Ripoll has said.

AMP Capital has opened up channels for self-directed investors to diversify their portfolios by making six of its funds available through the Australian Securities Exchange’s (ASX) mFund Settlement Service.

The SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia has become the latest industry body to provide an education program for trustees.

Russell Investments is the only product provider to be awarded a highly recommended rating in research house Zenith’s multi-manager sector review.