Opinion

Sir Isaac Newton was one of the greatest scientists in history; he founded classical mechanics and the law of universal gravitation. For all that, he lost his life savings in the South Sea Bubble of 1720.

For ESG discourse to matter, it must translate into quantifiable action. That means broadening the conversation beyond the close circle of sustainability converts and having tough conversations about capital flows.

Transaction has become a dirty word in financial services yet trust and strong professional relationships can be built on regular transactions over time, according to Bell Direct CEO Arnie Selvarajah.

All advisers have a role to play in the transition to ESG, and it will be a spectrum of outcomes rather than a binary one. One thing we cannot forget, however, is the powerful role that capital flows can have on creating change.

The rise of digital photography at the turn of the 21st century basically spelled the end of Kodak. Similarly, the rise of digital advice is the death knell for traditional advice businesses unless they can adapt quickly, says Arch Capital’s Nigel Baker.

ETFs have revolutionised the investing universe for many good reasons. But ultimately ETFs are just like stocks – there are the good, the bad and the ugly.

With central banks running out of meaningful avenues to impact economies and markets rife with volatility, many investors will be tempted to dial back risk as much as possible.

The inability of major casino operators – and many other ‘respected’ professions – to run a clean sheet is galling for an advice industry beset with stifling levels of regulation.

The question, in my view, isn’t what is affordable. It’s this: what price should we be willing to pay for long-term financial security?

The pursuit is focused, relentless and uncompromising – dismissive of any potential consequences. So what happens when the addiction is to risk?

Pete Robinson presents the case for Australian private debt using a supermarket chain case study.

As romantic as it may be to proclaim the emergence of an advice profession and to suggest that a ‘good advice’ duty is a panacea for systemic failures, the retreat of institutional licensees from advice is not necessarily evidence of our capacity for self-regulation.