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.

Nikko Asset Management has unveiled a new global share fund in response to Australian investors’ growing appetite for international equities.

A review of Australian small caps has found the end of the resources boom, while diminishing overall performance of the sector, has had a positive effect on the structure of this market segment.

Online brokerage firm Bell Direct has developed an application for the Apple Watch, allowing its clients to monitor the performance of their investment portfolios via a timepiece.

SMSF investors should consider an allocation to gold in light of the poor returns term deposits and cash were currently delivering in the low interest rate environment in Australia, according to a chief economist.

Business owners should consider using an SMSF to house the investments and assets of the business for retirement preparation and risk mitigation, according to a succession planning expert.

The Australian Securities Exchange has assigned an official debt securities rating service to a credit ratings house in a move that will help SMSF investors gain a better insight into the fixed income asset class.

The recent Australian Securities and Investments Commission announcement signalling its intention to make it easier for SMSF trustees to invest in wholesale financial products will lessen some of the safeguards applicable when these individuals were categorised strictly as retail investors, a specialist law firm has said.