All alternative assets articles
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NewsPrivate equity investors anticipate greater distributions in 2025
Anticipated cuts to interest rates could further improve the outlook for investors to realise gains from private equity, according to research.
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NewsSuccess of UK alternatives in 2024 hangs on the Chancellor’s Mansion House reforms
Outlooks from the pensions industry provide a mixed picture on the prospects for alternatives next year
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NewsMansion House reforms could deliver £50bn in surpluses and nullify new code
The so-called Mansion House ‘reforms’ would have delivered as much as £50 billion in surpluses to FTSE 350 companies, had the strategy already been in place, according to analysis by Barnett Waddingham.
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NewsUK investors flock to real assets and private markets despite red flags
Analysis: UK investors led the charge to real assets and private markets last year as interest in alternatives remained high, despite warnings that macroeconomic pressures could have a negative impact on certain alternative asset classes.
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FeaturesSchemes target sustainable alternative investments
Analysis: UK pension schemes are among the institutional investors across Europe that have maintained a strong focus on alternatives, particularly infrastructure, as investment activity picked up in November, according to MandateWire data.
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NewsPPF introduces new ESG voting guidelines
On the go: The £39.4bn Pension Protection Fund has brought in new environmental, social and governance voting guidelines for its listed equity holdings, across both segregated and pooled mandates.
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NewsLGPS funds target illiquid assets and emerging market equities
Illiquid alternatives have been the most sought-after investments among local authority pension funds this year, while schemes are also set to take advantage of selected investment opportunities in emerging markets.
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NewsFRC publishes ‘consistent and reliable’ standards for dashboards
On the go: The Financial Reporting Council has confirmed the changes being made to Actuarial Standard Technical Memorandum 1 in preparation for the launch of the dashboards, striving for “consistent and reliable” pensions illustrations.
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NewsGovernment’s new illiquid rules to apply to all DC schemes
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed it will push ahead with a requirement that trustees must include a policy on illiquid investments in their defined contribution schemes’ chair’s statement, despite stern criticism from the industry.
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NewsInflation presents ‘considerable risk’ to DC pension pots
Skyrocketing inflation figures pose unique challenges for defined contribution pension schemes as memberships surge to record highs, according to the Pensions Policy Institute’s DC Future Book.
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PodcastsPodcast: Schemes struggle to educate members amid cost of living crisis
Podcast: Members should be able to consider dipping into their pensions early to combat the cost of living crisis, but schemes may struggle to educate them about the best means of doing so without giving them advice. Society of Pensions Professionals president Steve Hitchiner is joined by AgeWage chief executive Henry Tapper, founder of the Pension Playpen, to discuss recession fears, consumer protection for dashboards, and expanding long-term asset funds.
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NewsClearGlass: Passive ESG funds provide value for money
On the go: Passive environmental, social and governance funds are cheaper and outperform their non-ESG equivalents, representing value for money, according to a study by ClearGlass Research.
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NewsStandard Life’s sustainable switch and a new LGPS active fund
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including a new sustainable multi-asset profile from Standard Life, a £1bn sustainable global equities fund from LGPS Central, and an anti-scams pledge from the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
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NewsAppeals made as foreign exchange class action proceeds on opt-in basis
The Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled that a class action suit against banks for participating in a foreign exchange spot trading cartel must proceed on an opt-in basis, leading to fears that thousands of pension funds could miss their opportunity to join the suit.
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NewsCharge cap proposals criticised as govt launches illiquids consultation
The government has said it will “take time to consider” industry concerns around its proposals to exclude performance fees from the charge cap, and has launched a combined consultation into other ways in which to encourage defined contribution schemes to invest in illiquid assets.
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NewsLabour accuses government of undermining pensions ‘consensus’
On the go: Labour’s shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, Jonathan Ashworth, has accused the government of breaking with pensions “consensus” and undermining workers’ protection with its planned pension reforms.
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NewsPensions industry in dire need of 'real' fee transparency
On the go: Asset managers charging lower fees for global active equity funds often deliver better value for money, but the fees collected differ greatly from those presented in the public domain, according to a report from ClearGlass Analytics.
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News‘Build back better’ hits wall as trustees report trouble aligning
On the go: Trustees and investment managers are struggling to bring their investment strategies into line with the government’s ‘build back better’ initiative, citing a lack of opportunities and long-term planning.
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NewsTPR not ruling out ‘value for money’ league tables
On the go: The Pensions Regulator is considering league tables as a way of implementing a new value for money framework for pension schemes, though it is not “leaning towards” them at present.
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NewsOpperman slates lack of long-term vision in pensions, hints at reshuffle
Pensions minister Guy Opperman has suggested a reshuffle may be on the cards, and has criticised a perceived lack of long-term vision in the pensions industry.