In this episode of Relative Return Unplugged, hosts Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and Keith Ford, along with special guest Steve Kuper, dive into the burgeoning world of defence ETFs in Australia and take a look at what is driving this sudden emergence.

We explore the current state of global military power structures and how a range of factors are influencing defence spending among both the large powers and their smaller counterparts. Viewing this from an investment market perspective, we break down the almost inevitable move from investment managers to launch defence-related ETFs.

Comparing the new defence ETFs launched by VanEck (DFND), Betashares (ARMR), and Global X (DTEC), we look at the key differentiators across the market and which technologies and regions they are focused on.

Tune in to hear:

• How a new era of conflict and defence spending is affecting global markets and investor behaviour.
• The ethical considerations of investing in defence and military companies.
• Whether defence investment is sustainable in the long term.
• The potential risks of volatility in defence stocks over time.

In this episode of Relative Return, host Laura Dew speaks with Anne Fuchs, executive general manager of advice, guidance and education at Australian Retirement Trust, to discuss how the fund is helping its 2.4 million members.

Listen as they discuss:

• The progress of the QSuper and Sunsuper merger.
• Helping its 2.4 million members access financial advice.
• Keeping members engaged with their superannuation.
• Legislative priorities in the super space.
• The next developments for ART.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Relative Return Unplugged, where we dive into one of the most pressing issues in Australia's financial landscape - the future of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). In this episode, hosts Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and Keith Ford, along with special guest Liam Garman, tackle the rising scrutiny surrounding the RBA and whether its independence is at risk.

We explore the RBA review findings and the controversial proposal to restructure the bank into a two-board system. With recent attacks from political parties and opposing views from key economists like Shane Oliver and Stephen Miller, we break down what’s really at stake.

From internal challenges to political pressure and the push for a change in board governance, this episode delivers insights and analysis on whether the RBA’s authority is being eroded—and what the future might hold for Australia’s central bank.

Tune in to hear:

• The proposed reforms to the RBA’s governance structure.
• Why political parties are divided on these changes.
• The impact of these proposals on the RBA’s decision-making process.
• The bigger picture: Is the RBA’s independence truly being tested?

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by ifa deputy editor Keith Ford to discuss a range of issues within the financial advice space, including the opposition’s strong statement on delays to implementing the Quality of Advice Review’s (QAR) recommendations.

The pair delve into shadow financial services minister Luke Howarth’s criticism of the government due to the lack of movement on the second tranche of the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes (DBFO) bill, despite the final QAR report being handed down more than 650 days ago.

Listen as they discuss:

• Whether there is still time for DBFO tranche two legislation to be delivered.
• The public inquiry into the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort, Dixon Advisory and wealth management companies.
• Super funds embracing digital advice and the response from the advice community.

• The sacrifices she’s making to complete her PhD.
• Advisers’ struggle to be viewed as a profession.
• Improving people’s engagement with their super, and more.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Tim Steele, general manager at Class, to dig down on the information that came out of the annual Class Annual Benchmark Report.

The report is an annual snapshot from a macro standpoint of how the SMSF sector is developing, using data from the Class Super platform, which is representative of the broader Australian SMSF market. This year’s report highlights several trends that are likely to influence the future of the sector.

Listen as they discuss:

In this episode of Relative Return, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic chats with Chris McGibbon, global head of real estate at Nuveen, about the long-term outlook and why the “knife has stopped falling” in property.

Listen as they discuss:

• Real estate’s role in investor portfolios.
• Should investors take a diversified approach or focus on specific sectors?
• The benefits that property allocation brings to investors.
• The real estate market in Australian cities.
• Mitigating geopolitical risk in real estate.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by author and financial adviser Helen Baker to unpack the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and how financial advisers can highlight prime investment opportunities in the market.

Baker identifies the industries set to benefit from AI for advisers looking to integrate these into client portfolios and the ethical concerns surrounding these new technologies.

Listen as they discuss:

• The revolutionary benefits and potential dangers of AI.
• How clients can benefit from AI investments.
• The ESG considerations that advisers should keep in mind.