All Equities articles – Page 13
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Opinion
Choppy waters: How schemes can invest in volatile markets
Pension schemes have been grappling with the impact of low returns since the global financial crisis, but the environment became even trickier to navigate when the equity market fell sharply at the start of this year.
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OpinionFirefighting in Port Talbot
Editorial: Reports of the government being urged by Labour MPs to take over Tata Steel UK until a private buyer is found dominated the headlines last week, after the business was put up for sale by its owner.
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Features
Shell diversifies away from equities over market fears
The Shell Contributory Pension Fund has diversified its growth asset portfolio and reduced its equity holdings in response to concerns about the level of risk.
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OpinionFossil fuels: To divest or not to divest?
In October 2015, the Financial Times reported that “nearly a billion dollars has been wiped off the value of coal investments by UK public pension funds over the past 18 months”.
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OpinionA slippery slope
Editorial: European bank shares slid earlier this week as investors became increasingly worried about banks’ ability to pay coupons on so-called coco bonds, or contingent convertible bonds – bonds that turn into equity if a certain trigger event is taking place.
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FeaturesBritish Coal derisks to support structural change
The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme has revised its asset allocation, which included selling equities and buying government bonds, following changes to the scheme’s structure.
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NewsEiopa stress tests stoke fears of holistic balance sheet return
Low rates and falling asset prices have hit pension schemes hard, the first stress test by the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority has shown, and experts warn the holistic balance sheet could still rear its head.
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FeaturesFujifilm develops its DC default fund approach
Fujifilm is overhauling its defined contribution default fund to improve its performance and relevance to members, as schemes continue to rethink DC glide paths following the pension freedoms.
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NewsAsset derisking could leave a funding gap
UK defined benefit pension schemes have removed nearly half of their funding level risk over the past decade, but new research has questioned whether asset derisking has gone too far.
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NewsTesting market conditions greet 2016
Market volatility is here to stay, experts have said, urging defined benefit trustees to assess their risk management frameworks and eliminate unintended exposures as the year kicks off.
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News
DB funding pressure rises but scheme closures plateau
Data Analysis: The aggregate funding level of UK defined benefit schemes has deteriorated again despite asset allocation trends moving towards lower-risk investments, but the number of schemes open to new members has stayed level.
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OpinionHow underpricing political risk could hit pension funds
Grexit and the Brexit are just two of the economic risks facing the UK's pension funds today, and their potential impact should not be discounted.
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NewsIs your scheme in the know about securities lending?
Investment experts have laid out the steps schemes should take to minimise risks when allocating to securities lending, and warned of the potential they face for illiquidity and loss of voting rights.
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NewsSmiths uses escrow to help slash £250m from scheme deficit
Technology and engineering conglomerate Smiths Group has signed over its £153m escrow account to its scheme in a deal that demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be achieved through strong trustee and employer collaboration.
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Opinion
Will recent equity market volatility have a positive effect on DGFs?
Roundtable: Aberdeen Asset Management’s Mike Brooks, Aon’s James Monk, Buck Consultants’ Nick Ridgway, Capital Cranfield’s Jonathan Reynolds, LCP’s Kevin Frisby and PTL’s David Hosford, discuss how unpredictable equity markets will affect DGFs, in the first of a three-part roundtable series.
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OpinionEmerging markets: Out of adversity comes opportunity
Emerging market equities have for the most part delivered stellar returns since the turn of the century, having enjoyed a prolonged period of strong economic growth, fast-growing domestic consumption and appreciating currencies.
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OpinionAre diversified growth funds hitting the mark?
DGFs appear promising on paper but are they meeting investors’ expectations? Investec’s Atul Shinh explains how perceptions are changing.
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Features
Long-term view clouded by uncertainty for LGPS
Long-term risk-reduction planning remains the priority for the Local Government Pension Scheme, but growing uncertainty about the future is making it difficult for member funds to carve out strategic objectives.
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Opinion
The butterfly effect – How to take cover and control
Chinese equity shocks captured the headlines over the summer but UK pension funds should equip themselves for a deeper period of entrenched low-growth.
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Opinion
Tough markets force funds to act smarter
UK pension funds have been searching for ways to invest in traditional assets in non-traditional ways, moving further into the alternatives and multi-asset spaces.