ETFs and exchange-traded commodities (ETCs) invest in a portfolio of securities, providing investors with diversification in a single transaction. They can be bought and sold on exchange just like shares.

The expanding range of ETFs and ETCs allows investors to gain exposure to Australian companies, overseas stocks, listed property, currencies and precious metals, including gold.

Tony Hunter, ASX Head of Education, said: “The new ASX courses explain the essentials of investing in ETFs and explain how ETFs traded on ASX work.“The courses are offered free and require no registration on the asx.com.au website. Users will find clear and easily understood information with practical exercises to reinforce learning.

“The self-paced nature of ASX online courses means investors can work through the courses sequentially or just select the topics that interest them.

”The seven short courses available cover:

• Introduction to ETFs – an overview of ETFs, their features, risks and benefits;
• What are ETFs? – a detailed course on the structure and strategy of ETFs;
• Buying, holding and selling ETFs;
• Domestic ETFs – ETFs over Australian sharemarket indices;
• International ETFs;• Exchange-traded commodities; and
• Synthetic ETFs and currency ETFs.

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ETFs were first offered for trading on ASX over certain S&P/ASX indices in August 2001. The sector has since grown strongly and now provides Australian investors with greater opportunity to diversify and internationalise their portfolios. The total suite available on ASX now stands at 55 with a combined market capitalisation of $5.1 billion,growing by 39% in the 12 months to 31 December 2010. For detailed information on the online courses click to view.

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The New Zealand Investment Symposium is being presented by an exceptional faculty of Australian investment experts visiting Christchurch this week, exclusively to support Christchurch financial advisers affected by the recent earthquake, and their clients.
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Sydney-based Christchurch expat Graham Rich, and organiser said Wednesday’s Symposium, and a dinner for the 100 delegates and their partners is being hosted free-of-charge for all Christchurch-based financial advisers. A number of financial advisers from as far away as Auckland and Invercargill have also flown in especially to support their colleagues and to benefit from the education.
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The Symposium is designed to achieve several objectives, said Graham Rich of PortfolioConstruction Forum. “Christchurch based advisers have not had time to manage their own continuing professional development recently and so we can help with that by bringing the best of the best investment minds to them. Our presenters really want to offer practical and professional help, to enable investors to get the flow-on benefit of better quality advice. Plus, we get to spend some money in Canterbury to support local business at a time when many conferences have taken the easy option and gone elsewhere. Finally, all surplus proceeds will be donated to the government earthquake fund.”
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The interactive one-day program features leading economists, investment managers and senior business leaders from Australia.
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Speakers, who have all donated their time and costs, plus contributed to the funding, include Australian’s Jonathan Pain investment strategist and author of the Pain Report; Hamish Douglass, CEO and investment manager of Magellan Financial Group; Peter Dorrian, investment specialist of PIMCO; Tim Farrelly, investment strategist of farrelly’s Investment Strategy; Paul Barrett, Head of  ANZ Advice Australia and Graham Rich are New Zealanders who have returned from Sydney especially to present. In addition, George Kerr, CEO of Torchlight Investment Group and John Ombler, acting Chief Executive of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority will open the program with a briefing and  Brigadier Anne Campbell (NZ Army retired) will close the program with a specialist disaster recovery management session.
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In addition, New Zealand businesses actively supporting the program include Morningstar (an investment research business), OnePath (an investment funds manager) The Strategi Institute (an adviser training business).
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“I reckon all participants can be thrilled with the outcome,” said Graham Rich.

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1. Increasing education standards for new and existing advisers
2. Financial advisers and the scope taxation advice

Together with FoFA these proposed changes will impact the landscape of advice in this country. The AFA is well placed to ensure that these changes are appropriate and will work to ensure that the implementation is as effective as possible.

RG 153 : Advisers and Education RG 153

Click here to read RG 153

Future Regulation of Financial Planners Providing Tax Advice

1. The scope of services that can be provided by financial planners is determined according to the type of registration held.
2. A financial planner can provide general factual tax information (not tax advice).
3. If a financial planner has an additional form of registration, they can provide tax advice within the context of providing financial advice. The scope of tax advice that will be permissible within this category will depend upon the competencies that are required.
4. Tax agents registered under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 provide full tax agent services including preparing or lodging returns or representing a taxpayer in their dealings with the Commissioner of Taxation.

Click here to read the Minister’s speech

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