Apostle Asset Management (Apostle) has formalised a distribution partnership with US risk management specialist Windham Capital Management LLC (Windham).
Apostle managing director Karyn West said the company was now seeking new ways to help investors relieve market pressures caused by Australia's ageing population and associated longevity risk.
"Members approaching retirement, and those in retirement, have specific needs such as income, low volatility, downside protection and inflation protection," West said. The Windham approach would aim to deliver these primary goals while also focussing on capital appreciation when markets were calm, she said.
Windham's chief investment officer Mark Kritzman said, "Markets have shown again and again that moves triggered by macro issues can swamp investor returns, yet a very large proportion of effort in portfolio management is focussed on micro factors."
Windham's risk-centric approach would be timely for the Australian market, said the firm's managing partner Stan Shelton. "With Australia's renewed focus on risk management through top-down, active asset allocation, Windham's approach will support Apostle in delivering innovative solutions to its clients," Shelton said.
Less than a month after being ordered to pay $27 million for failing to merge duplicate member accounts, Australia’s biggest super fund is again the target of a suit launched by the corporate regulator.
APRA’s latest statistics have revealed retail funds have a larger exposure to private debt than their industry counterparts.
APRA’s proposed governance reforms are stirring debate in the industry, particularly due to the ambiguity surrounding the suggestion that “perceived conflicts of interest” and “changes in personal circumstances” could create reputational risks.
CFS’ Kelly Power has described the US as an “open door” for attractive investment opportunities amid super funds’ growing interest in the offshore market.