Products & Services

H3 Global looks to commodities sector

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 43 : 5 March 2008
Original article by Nina Wan

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

H3 Global Advisors and Ascalon Capital Managers have jointly launched a new investment product. The Ascalon H3 Commodities Fund is designed to give investors access to the booming resources market, as well as those for energy and agricultural produce. Commodities are emerging as a worthwhile asset class of their own, especially with the bull market in equities coming to a close in early 2008. H3 forecasts strong demand for commodities to continue for a decade, with subsequent price rises. Ascalon, which owns 30% of H3, is a venture of St George Bank in Australia and Kaplan Equity

Foster's says cheers to environmental awareness

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 5 : 5 March 2008
Original article by Simon Evans

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

The climate change concerns of consumers has resulted in a new "green" beer from Foster's Group. Cascade Green went on sale on 4 March 2008. Foster's has maximised climate-friendly criteria throughout the manufacturing and retailing processes for the beer. The beer has been certified under the Australian Government's Greenhouse Friendly program. Foster's Group's major rival, Lion Nathan, launched a similarly-themed beer in January

A new look at mortgages

The Age
Page: 10 : 5 March 2008
Original article by Barbara Drury

LexisNexis Summary: Products & Services

Innovative home loan products are becoming increasingly popular as house prices and interest rates continue to rise in 2008. Savings & Loans Credit Union's 40-year mortgage has proven particularly popular, especially among young first-time home owners. Similarly, Adelaide Bank and Rismark International reported a strong surge in interest for their zero-interest rate Equity Finance Mortgage in early 2008. Rismark CEO, Christopher Joye, said the product was launched without any advertising or marketing because of concern about the bank's ability to fund a tsunami of customer interest. InfoChoice GM, Denis Orrock, said such products could reduce payments "significantly"

Consumer Behaviour

Retailers ready for latest rate hike

The Australian
Page: 36 : 5 March 2008
Original article by Lisa Macnamara

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Mark McInnes, CEO of Australian department store chain David Jones (DJs), has launched a new four-year strategy blueprint. DJs is striving to prepare itself for a downturn in consumer spending forecast by Access Economics, and other major retailers in the nation are also taking measures to cope with the effects of the 12th official interest rate rise in succession in early March 2008. Harvey Norman outlets have already detected a drop in turnover, although executive chair Gerry Harvey notes that such a trough following directly after a rate rise is usually quickly made up for. Richard Uechtritz, CEO at music and household electronics chain JB Hi-Fi, argues its sought-after product range is going to insulate it from any fall in spending

Retailers brace for spending slowdown

The Australian Financial Review
Page: 13 : 5 March 2008
Original article by Noelle Waugh

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Australian retailers expect the March 2008 interest rate rise to affect consumer spending. In January, retail sales were flat, at a seasonally adjusted $A20.1 billion. Consumer spending slowed in most sectors. Retailers expect the cumulative effect of the interest rate rises to become evident with a dampening of consumer spending, which will affect the earnings of retailers

Brand key for gen Y success

Investor Weekly
Page: 6 : March 2008
Original article by Stephen Blaxhall

LexisNexis Summary: Consumer Behaviour

Superannuation funds are advised to pay more attention to Generation Y. This generation is not easy to deal with for financial planners. Paul Nelson, managing director of Brand Matters, told the "Branding and Marcom Financial Services" conference in Sydney that generation Y is difficult to convince that building wealth is important. Young people also show little loyalty to brands. Nelson advises financial companies to make sure that their brands are credible, relevant, unique and sustainable