It's been a mixed week of general news, with the Australian equity market recovering some of last year's late sell off by rising over 5% in February, courtesy in particular of the banking sector which rallied (in relief?) over 8%. It's worth remembering, however, that CBA for instance is still a long way from regaining sight of $100.
The Trump/Kim show is set for round 3 at least, but it was never going to be a straightforward negotiation. Kim's not easy, and Trump's well… Trump. Maybe he wanted to get back to Washington as quickly as possible to speak to his ex-solicitor, Steve Cohen. Markets will stay nervous, but understanding that a war starting in 1949 and which has yet to have a truce signed is not going to be fixed by a couple of high profile summit meetings. There'll be a resolution…. in due course.
Unlike Brexit, which is heading for goodness knows what? A hard exit? Disaster, although some look forward to it. A negotiated exit? Looking increasingly unlikely as the EU has the whip hand, or acceptable to many in Westminster or the UK at large. A second referendum? The first was an error of judgement, the second if held would probably result in a reversal, and a lot of unhappy Brexiteers.
In China, factory output hit a three-year low dipping below the all-important 50 level. That's a problem for Australian companies dependent on China, and not only in the resources sector such as BHP and RIO. Think Blackmores, who didn't see China's buyers coming and, by their own admission, didn't see them going either. Irrespective of the ongoing trade talks, factory output is down because consumer spending is down or slowing, particularly at the luxury or discretionary level.
And finally, on to funds management and financial services: We read with interest that Advisor Ratings are to publish Financial "Advisor" rankings. Great idea, but it will be difficult to accurately focus on their quality of advice, rather than only providing an orange or red flag for those surveyed (assuming they take part) who fall short. However, it will hopefully weed out some who shouldn't be in the industry. Along with the HRC's call for all advisors to have to declare their affiliations with, or ownership by, a financial institution or product issuer, this will at least provide consumers with some warning.
The dictionary lists synonyms for "advisor" as "counsellor, mentor, guide, consultant, confident, guide, aide, helper" etc. The bottom line is that an "advisor" must be able to declare they're independent, or not be permitted to use the term. If not, they risk being classified as being in product distribution, business development or sales. Such advisors should also be required to declare which products they have affiliations with and justify each product's inclusion on any recommendation or recommended product list.
