SMSF trustees need to look beyond the domestic equity market to seize investment opportunities arising from worldwide trends, an international fund manager has said.

Defensive asset classes have been marked as the segment to watch, with more flows and demand expected from SMSF trustees in the next 12 months following continued market volatility.

BlackRock believes SMSF trustees will see the appeal of its new proposition, iShares Core, which comprises two new exchange-traded funds (ETF).

A recent review of the real estate market performed by listed property fund manager Folkestone has shown Australian real estate investment trusts (AREIT) to be the best-performing investment vehicle over the past five years.

Research house Zenith Investment Partners’ latest assessment of the global long/short sector has concluded market conditions are making this an opportune time for managers in the space.

Research house Lonsec has assigned its initial ratings for two managed investment funds – the AllianceBernstein Global Equities Fund and Macquarie Specialist Investments (MSI) Dividend Run-Up Fund.

A new automated online investing service aimed at providing SMSF members with a low-cost, well-diversified portfolio has been released to the market.

The United States residential property sector can provide shelter for SMSF investors from the volatility and speculation currently affecting equity markets around the world, according to a global fund manager.

The SMSF sector was currently putting too much emphasis on legislative and compliance issues and needed to increase the attention given to the investments of funds, according to a former ATO official.