If growth in direct shares within superannuation continues at its current rate of 20.9 per cent per annum, direct shares will soar from $105 billion in 2004 to $260 billion by the year 2009.
If growth in direct shares within superannuation continues at its current rate of 20.9 per cent per annum, direct shares will soar from $105 billion in 2004 to $260 billion by the year 2009.1
Supporting this investor demand, Navigator has added a range of direct shares from the ASX top 200 for superannuation and retirement clients to its investment platform.
This includes stocks from Coles Myer, Telstra, Commonwealth Bank, and BHP.
Chief Operating Officer Grant Salmon says the beauty of purchasing direct shares through the Navigator Personal Retirement Plan is customers will have one single investment point. This means the performance of their active portfolio will be reported on the one easy to read document, complete with details of their capital gains and other tax relevant information.
"Investors can work with their financial adviser for all their investment needs, from life insurance, superannuation and now investing on the stock market in direct shares," says Grant.
"Also, investors can decide what degree of involvement they want in managing their investments. Financial advisers can be authorised to complete transactions – this reduces ‘messing’ around with another account for direct shares and even the need for a separate stockbroker."
The cooling property sector has seen many investors look to the sharemarket. Right now, more than seven million Australians own shares either directly or indirectly.2
"Navigator is committed to providing an all round financial solution for clients. The addition of a direct share holding function ensures clients can reap the benefits of an investment platform with access to shares as well as the comprehensive range of managed funds," says Grant.
With the Navigator Personal Retirement Plan investors can now access greater diversification through the one account, hold shares in the superannuation environment and can tax effectively transfer to allocated and or growth pension on retirement.
For financial advisers, direct shares are increasing in importance, with 62 per cent of dealer groups providing share advice to investors,3 making them one of the major sources of investment information in Australia.
To assist advisers’ administer direct shares, Navigator is providing the latest in share administration and transacting technology, including n-link access to many leading share research houses, easy on line direct switching between managed funds and shares and n-link bulk switching and portfolio re-weighting.
For further information on direct shares on the Navigator Personal Retirement Plan please contact a financial adviser or visit navigator.com.au
1Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority, Superannuation Trends, March 2004
2Australian Stock Exchange Limited, Australian Share Ownership Study, 2003, Melbourne
3Spits, J, Listed Investments take their claim, Money Management July 2003, Sydney. Information taken from consumer research conducted by the ASX.
For further information please contact:
Simon Morgan, Group General Manager Public Affairs
Phone: (03) 9829 8892
Mobile: 0407 966 632
Notes to editors:
- Aviva Australia is a group of two specialist financial services companies: Navigator and Norwich Union Life Australia Ltd. Portfolio Partners, the Australian funds management arm of Aviva plc, is a sister company. Through these companies we provide products and services in the areas of wealth creation, wealth management and wealth protection for more than 300,000 customers throughout Australia.
- Globally, Aviva Australia is part of Aviva plc, the world’s fifth largest insurance group, the largest insurer in the UK and one of the top five life companies in Europe. Aviva was formed in May 2000 through the global merger of CGU plc and Norwich Union plc.
- Aviva is a leading provider of life and pensions products to Europe and has substantial businesses elsewhere around the world. Its main activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. It has premium income and investment sales from continuing operations of A$78 billion, and more than A$624 billion of assets under management (as at 1 July 2004). The group has more than 56,000 employees and 30 million customers worldwide.
- The information in this document reflects Navigator Australia Limited's ('Navigator’) understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. The information given in this document is of a general nature and has not taken into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person and it is not a substitute for professional advice. Applications to invest in a financial product issued by Navigator, or any of its related entities, must be made by completing the application form attached to the applicable Product Disclosure Statement ("PDS"). A PDS is available from Navigator or your financial adviser. Before making an investment decision on the basis of the information above, a prospective investor needs to consider, with or without the assistance of a professional adviser whether the information is appropriate in the light of their particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.