Latest articles from Lea Huhtala

London CIV faces uncertainty as local authority fund ponders future

Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg

Despite the government’s best efforts to pool the assets of UK local authority pension funds, one London scheme – the £1.5bn Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Superannuation Fund – recently revealed it may leave the London CIV.

UK investors flock to real assets and private markets despite red flags

FoToArtist_1/Envato

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.

LGPS funds pile into illiquid alternatives amid soaring inflation

Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

Data crunch: Local authority schemes have committed more than £10bn to illiquid alternatives in 2022 as the hunt for inflation-linked cash flows and attractive returns intensifies, according to MandateWire data.

LGPS funds target illiquid assets and emerging market equities

Quang Nguyen Vinh/Pexels

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.

DC schemes target private markets as room for illiquid assets increases

Pexels

Data crunch: UK defined contribution pension schemes poured around £1bn into private markets last year as the search for yield intensified, according to MandateWire data.

Pension risk transfer activity expected to increase in H2 2021

Getty Images

Data crunch: Although UK pension schemes have shown a reduced appetite for risk transfers so far this year, there could be a rise in the number of buyout and buy-in deals that will be completed during the second half of 2021.

Pension schemes take advantage of broader credit opportunities

Market volatility and unreliability have forced schemes to consider employing a multi-asset credit manager to ensure decent diversification.