9:00am – 9:05am
Overview – Wednesday – April 28
Welcome
9:05am – 9:35am
Goliath: The 100-year war between monopoly power and democracy
A look at how concentrated financial power and consumerism transformed American politics, resulting in the emergence of populism and authoritarianism and the fall of the Democratic Party, while also providing the steps needed to create a new democracy.
9:35am – 10:00am
Risk hedging: Overlays, currency and what remains of a defensive asset?
A conversation on the reimaging and redefining of defensive assets at a time when government bonds do not offer the expected tail protection. As investors re-evaluate their defensive options, overlays and active currency management come into vogue -- but what is an effective strategy?
10:00am – 10:20am
The consequences of COVID and the next game in equity investment
A look at the fundamental shift in the decades-old policy framework. Heightened geopolitical tension, accelerated digitalisation, the impact of ESG on the cost of capital and the return of inflationary pressures. How do these factors change the rules of the game and how should an investor change their mindset?
10:20am – 10:35am
Portfolio management: The bond market, liquidity and implementation
An exploration into the bond market dynamics pre- and post-pandemic and the parallel transition from monetary to fiscal dominance. With heightened concerns around demand-pull inflation and a ballooning money supply how should fixed income portfolios be positioned?
10:35am – 11:10am
Portfolio update and outlook: Themes and implementation
As societies emerge from the lockdowns there are new concerns for investors in matching their investments to reduce risks from new patterns of work, life and play. This interactive session explores the opportunities and challenges with investing for the long-term in a changing world.
11:10am – 11:30am
Market dynamics and multi-asset: Playing defence and offence
An open discussion on what should be considered normal investing today with a market fueled by fiscal stimulus and monetary policy. Without a taper and hundreds of billions in new reserves entering the market, how should investors allocate risk today without being caught in the bubble?
11:30am – 12:00pm
Investor fireside: The elements of portfolio construction
As fiduciaries, the challenge is to manage capital for the long-term and protect against a spectrum of risks in the short, medium and long-term. This interactive session explores the strategies and tactics of investors as we build back better post the pandemic.
12:00pm
Morning Day One Close
3:00pm – 3:05pm
Welcome afternoon day one
3:05pm – 3:25pm
Consultant disruption: Self reflections and projections
An open conversation on issues facing the superannuation industry including the financial markets, industry structure, regulation and the impact to investment models.
3:25pm – 3:40pm
Due diligence: embracing new managers in the new normal
A practical session on the changing nature of investment manager due diligence. Without the physical presence and a meeting of the eyes, investors feel they lack depth in building rapport and comfort with a potential new partner. But are there approaches to looking behind the normalcy bias?
3:40pm – 3:55pm
The evolution of quant, the systematic toolkit and its role in portfolio completion
A discussion on the increasing sophistication of asset owners and how systematic investing is a tool for portfolio completion and diversification. Investors can seek to capture specific payoffs, hedge risks, and complete their portfolio by isolating risk factors with customised systematic solutions.
3:55pm – 4:10pm
A distinctive source of returns: The coming of age of scientific fixed income investing
A conversation on rising yields and the financial conditions of mid-market companies. Despite the less stable financials than public credit, therein lies an opportunity to capture the illiquidity and complexity premium by flexible contract design to better cater to borrower needs.
4:10pm – 4:25pm
Alternative risk premia: Overcoming the pain and suffering
A conversation on why alternative risk premia should form part of a strategic asset allocation despite the diversification properties being in question. Poor ARP implementation practices during challenging markets and misconceptions about its role are inconsistent with the theoretical and empirical evidence.
4:25pm – 4:40pm
Climate change, weather modelling and insurance-linked securities
A delve into the processes underlying longer-term weather modelling, the pricing of risks associated with climate change and natural catastrophes and the application of classical ESG tools to improve investment analysis and decision making with re-insurance offerings.
4:40pm – 5:00pm
Market forces and activism: Best practice versus member pressure
An uncomfortable conversation as we discuss the activists that are lobbying the super funds to change their approach to investing in fossil fuel companies and managing the risk of climate change. The conversation, of course, is multifaceted as funds must deliver member outcomes.
5:00pm – 5:30pm
Paradigm shifts: Managing liquidity and risk management
An insight into portfolio considerations and decision-making when managing liquidity during volatile market conditions. The session will consider asset allocation and the role of derivatives and hedging.
5:30pm
Afternoon day one close
Day 2 – Thursday – April 29
9:00am – 9:05am
Welcome day two morning
9:05am – 9:30am
The insurrection narrative, censored political speech and its aftermath
The measure of how free a society is should not be measured by how its well-behaved ruling class servants are treated, but rather the fate of its dissidents. What becomes of a society where those who render themselves acquiescent and harmless are free from reprisal, but those who refuse this Orwellian bargain meet an unlimited almighty force?
9:30am – 10:00am
Taiwan, geopolitical tension and China’s inevitable rise in indices
10:00am – 10:20am
Reading the future, statistical learning and risk management
A look at how the constant news feed and information flow is pervasive for investors. In this session we will explore how to assess information relevance and how a statistical learning framework can guide asset allocators during periods of market stress.
10:20am – 10:50am
Software eating the world: private equity, disruption and digitisation of the economy
A discussion on the impact of technology and disruption in today’s economy. The magnificent seven largest tech stocks are worth a combined eight trillion dollars. As regulators and the public become more focused on these giants' negative behaviour and activities, have the gates opened for new ventures?
10:50am – 11:10am
Further afield: Emerging markets and private equity
Investing in listed assets in developed markets has produced heightened volatility and the risk of crowded trades. This session considers the risks associated with exploring the opportunity set offered by unlisted investments in the developing world.
11:10am – 11:45am
YFYS performance test: Will it benefit consumers?
The performance test is a highly controversial policy measure. Overall, will it benefit consumers or not? That is the question being explored by our panel who bring different perspectives.
11:45am
Morning day two close
Day 1 – Wednesday – April 28
9:00am – 9:05am
Welcome
9:05am – 9:35am
Goliath: The 100-year war between monopoly power and democracy
A look at how concentrated financial power and consumerism transformed American politics, resulting in the emergence of populism and authoritarianism and the fall of the Democratic Party, while also providing the steps needed to create a new democracy.
9:35am – 10:00am
Risk hedging: Overlays, currency and what remains of a defensive asset?
A conversation on the reimaging and redefining of defensive assets at a time when government bonds do not offer the expected tail protection. As investors re-evaluate their defensive options, overlays and active currency management come into vogue -- but what is an effective strategy?
10:00am – 10:20am
The consequences of COVID and the next game in equity investment
A look at the fundamental shift in the decades-old policy framework. Heightened geopolitical tension, accelerated digitalisation, the impact of ESG on the cost of capital and the return of inflationary pressures. How do these factors change the rules of the game and how should an investor change their mindset?
10:20am – 10:35am
Portfolio management: The bond market, liquidity and implementation
An exploration into the bond market dynamics pre- and post-pandemic and the parallel transition from monetary to fiscal dominance. With heightened concerns around demand-pull inflation and a ballooning money supply how should fixed income portfolios be positioned?
10:35am – 11:10am
Portfolio update and outlook: Themes and implementation
As societies emerge from the lockdowns there are new concerns for investors in matching their investments to reduce risks from new patterns of work, life and play. This interactive session explores the opportunities and challenges with investing for the long-term in a changing world.
11:10am – 11:30am
Market dynamics and multi-asset: Playing defence and offence
An open discussion on what should be considered normal investing today with a market fueled by fiscal stimulus and monetary policy. Without a taper and hundreds of billions in new reserves entering the market, how should investors allocate risk today without being caught in the bubble?
11:30am – 12:00pm
Investor fireside: The elements of portfolio construction
As fiduciaries, the challenge is to manage capital for the long-term and protect against a spectrum of risks in the short, medium and long-term. This interactive session explores the strategies and tactics of investors as we build back better post the pandemic.
12:00pm
Morning Day One Close
3:00pm – 3:05pm
Welcome afternoon day one
3:05pm – 3:25pm
Consultant disruption: Self reflections and projections
An open conversation on issues facing the superannuation industry including the financial markets, industry structure, regulation and the impact to investment models.
3:25pm – 3:40pm
Due diligence: embracing new managers in the new normal
A practical session on the changing nature of investment manager due diligence. Without the physical presence and a meeting of the eyes, investors feel they lack depth in building rapport and comfort with a potential new partner. But are there approaches to looking behind the normalcy bias?
3:40pm – 3:55pm
The evolution of quant, the systematic toolkit and its role in portfolio completion
A discussion on the increasing sophistication of asset owners and how systematic investing is a tool for portfolio completion and diversification. Investors can seek to capture specific payoffs, hedge risks, and complete their portfolio by isolating risk factors with customised systematic solutions.
3:55pm – 4:10pm
A distinctive source of returns: The coming of age of scientific fixed income investing
A conversation on rising yields and the financial conditions of mid-market companies. Despite the less stable financials than public credit, therein lies an opportunity to capture the illiquidity and complexity premium by flexible contract design to better cater to borrower needs.
4:10pm – 4:25pm
Alternative risk premia: Overcoming the pain and suffering
A conversation on why alternative risk premia should form part of a strategic asset allocation despite the diversification properties being in question. Poor ARP implementation practices during challenging markets and misconceptions about its role are inconsistent with the theoretical and empirical evidence.
4:25pm – 4:40pm
Climate change, weather modelling and insurance-linked securities
A delve into the processes underlying longer-term weather modelling, the pricing of risks associated with climate change and natural catastrophes and the application of classical ESG tools to improve investment analysis and decision making with re-insurance offerings.
4:40pm – 5:00pm
Market forces and activism: Best practice versus member pressure
An uncomfortable conversation as we discuss the activists that are lobbying the super funds to change their approach to investing in fossil fuel companies and managing the risk of climate change. The conversation, of course, is multifaceted as funds must deliver member outcomes.
5:00pm – 5:30pm
Paradigm shifts: Managing liquidity and risk management
An insight into portfolio considerations and decision-making when managing liquidity during volatile market conditions. The session will consider asset allocation and the role of derivatives and hedging.
5:30pm
Afternoon day one close
Day 2 – Thursday – April 29
9:00am – 9:05am
Welcome day two morning
9:05am – 9:30am
The insurrection narrative, censored political speech and its aftermath
The measure of how free a society is should not be measured by how its well-behaved ruling class servants are treated, but rather the fate of its dissidents. What becomes of a society where those who render themselves acquiescent and harmless are free from reprisal, but those who refuse this Orwellian bargain meet an unlimited almighty force?
9:30am – 10:00am
Taiwan, geopolitical tension and China’s inevitable rise in indices
10:00am – 10:20am
Reading the future, statistical learning and risk management
A look at how the constant news feed and information flow is pervasive for investors. In this session we will explore how to assess information relevance and how a statistical learning framework can guide asset allocators during periods of market stress.
10:20am – 10:50am
Software eating the world: private equity, disruption and digitisation of the economy
A discussion on the impact of technology and disruption in today’s economy. The magnificent seven largest tech stocks are worth a combined eight trillion dollars. As regulators and the public become more focused on these giants' negative behaviour and activities, have the gates opened for new ventures?
10:50am – 11:10am
Further afield: Emerging markets and private equity
Investing in listed assets in developed markets has produced heightened volatility and the risk of crowded trades. This session considers the risks associated with exploring the opportunity set offered by unlisted investments in the developing world.
11:10am – 11:45am
YFYS performance test: Will it benefit consumers?
The performance test is a highly controversial policy measure. Overall, will it benefit consumers or not? That is the question being explored by our panel who bring different perspectives.
11:45am