Penny Chin
Demand from superannuation funds and other institutional investors for non-Government bonds has significantly altered the risk benefit equation, according to the latest research paper issued by Tyndall.
The paper, ‘Investing in Credit Securities’, was authored by Tyndall senior credit analyst Penny Chinn, and points out the risks associated with investing in credit.
Chin said a decline in the amount of Government bonds on issue had assisted the strong growth of non-government, largely corporate, credit securities in the Australian market, with non-government bonds having risen more than tenfold in the past 10 years.
Chin said demand amongst superannuation funds meant it was not expected that this trend would abate.
However, she said the changed mix of bonds available had inevitably changed risk.
“Chin said that when the market was predominantly made up of Government bonds the primary risk to be managed was interest rate risk, but the changed composition of the market meant credit risk had become increasingly important.
“Specialist bond fund managers have learned to adapt to the changed market by employing credit analysts to measure credit risk exposure,” she said. “But it is a difficult and complex task for direct investors.”
The Future Fund’s CIO Ben Samild has announced his resignation, with his deputy to assume the role of interim CIO.
The fund has unveiled reforms to streamline death benefit payments, cut processing times, and reduce complexity.
A ratings firm has placed more prominence on governance in its fund ratings, highlighting that it’s not just about how much money a fund makes today, but whether the people running it are trustworthy, disciplined, and able to deliver for members in the future.
AMP has reached an agreement in principle to settle a landmark class action over fees charged to members of its superannuation funds, with $120 million earmarked for affected members.