News

A drop-off in IPO activity over the second half of last year appears likely to continue into 2023, as companies look to ride out market uncertainty by staying private for longer. Small-cap listings dominate the light pipeline, while public and pre-IPO opportunities are garnering more investor interest.

Exchange-traded funds continued to attract inflows from investors in 2022, albeit at a slower pace thanks to rising interest rates and market volatility. Resources and mining-focused funds were clear standouts in a challenging year.

The prudential regulator will more closely examine the valuation methodologies super funds deploy to value private assets to address an emerging gap between the performance of listed and unlisted property.

The federal government is seeking feedback on proposed changes to rules aimed at preventing non-arm’s-length transactions by superannuation funds, in a bid to address concern that SMSFs and smaller funds that breach the provisions could be disproportionately penalised.

US technology stocks have suffered steep losses over the last year as interest rates have marched higher. But with the Fed now signalling reductions in future rate hikes, value could emerge in tech stocks with strong fundamentals.

In the first 18 months of the new restructuring framework for small businesses, more than 90 per cent of proposed restructuring plans have been approved by creditors. Despite slow early uptake, ASIC says more small businesses are benefitting from the reforms in 2023.

The Australian mining and energy sector drew a significant increase in investment in 2022, but a hoped-for green mining boom is currently a fantasy, with gas and coal still dominating the project pipeline, new bank research shows. A shift in focus to commodities needed for the energy transition would have to precede another super-cycle, but select opportunities exist.

The respected lawyer will not see out his contract with the corporate regulator after accepting a role in the commercial sector.

After equity markets recalibrated during a volatile 2022, the market is anticipating a tale of two halves in 2023. Investors should look for opportunities in established and high-quality global stocks, with a focus on corporate earnings.

Adviser James O’Reilly had a long-held personal ambition to “stick a pin in the ground” and make a difference, but it was realising how much his clients wanted leadership on sustainable investing that sparked change in the way his practice manages money.

A recent survey shows 74 per cent of Australian business leaders expect profits to increase in the year ahead, despite a still-challenging outlook and sticky inflation.

New data shows Australian house prices have dropped 8.4 per cent since their peak in May 2022, the largest decrease on record. While further RBA rate hikes could deepen the downturn, experts say a crash in 2023 is not inevitable.