All Investment articles – Page 107
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News
Corporate schemes catching public sector on infra
Corporate schemes are catching up with their public sector counterparts in accessing the illiquidity premium of infrastructure investments, taking an increasing share of a growing asset class.
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Features
Westminster moves towards global equities to free up managers
The City of Westminster Superannuation Fund has decreased its UK equity holdings in favour of global stocks to give managers greater flexibility and boost performance.
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Opinion
Why UK schemes lose out to nimble overseas competitors on infrastructure
Infrastructure has been a hot topic among UK schemes over the past couple of years. With its long-term matching characteristics, it seems like a perfect fit for schemes looking to match liabilities, but inflows have been muted.
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News
Schemes eye forward rates to time hedge moves
Larger schemes are showing greater interest in using forward rather than spot rates to assess whether to increase their interest and inflation hedges, in order to gain a more accurate picture of fair value.
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Opinion
An investor’s guide to how the DGF market is developing
In the latest edition of Technical Comment, Momentum’s Michael Allen looks at how the use of diversified growth funds has exploded among UK pension schemes, and the different types available.
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Opinion
Emerging markets were overplayed, but not any more
Investec’s Atul Shinh gives three reasons why pension fund investors should get back on the emerging markets bandwagon, in the latest edition of Informed Comment.
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Opinion
Break up or make up? How to handle a split with your advisers
In trying to get the best outcomes for members, schemes may have to dump advisers from time to time. This can be costly, stressful and time-consuming, so what is the best way to ensure a smooth transition?
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News
Railpen chief’s fees comments trigger transparency calls
Industry figures have called for more transparency around charges from asset managers after Railpen Investments said upfront fees were as little as a fifth of its total fees paid.
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News
Saul: convertibles could spread as schemes look to reduce volatility
Saul's outgoing chief executive has predicted that its use of convertible bonds to dampen pension fund volatility could catch on at other schemes, but some advisers remain sceptical of the benefits offered.
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Features
Diageo tips into matching assets after hitting trigger
Diageo Pension Scheme has switched 5 per cent of its assets from its growth to its matching portfolio after hitting a derisking trigger, tipping its investment balance towards holdings that track liabilities.
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Opinion
Why mechanical derisking is leading to poor-value asset switches
In this week’s Informed Comment, Morgan Stanley’s Joe McDonnell looks at the downsides of a binary growth v matching approach to derisking your scheme’s investments, and suggests an alternative.
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Features
Bromley mulls 10% illiquids allocation as cash flow worsens
The London Borough of Bromley Pension Fund is considering a 10 per cent allocation to illiquid assets to provide greater returns and inflation linkage, in expectation of turning cash-flow negative within seven years.
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News
Interest rate uncertainty a concern for employer covenants
Interest rate rises could have a negative effect on covenant strength as some companies are forced to refinance at higher rates, advisers have said, and trustees should keep a watching brief to mitigate any resultant impact on their sponsors' ability to pay scheme contributions.
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News
Schemes have scope to delve deeper into illiquids, but confidence lacking
Defined benefit schemes are showing increased interest in illiquid alternatives as they hunt greater yield and diversification, but many lack sufficient resources and the confidence needed to execute such investments.
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Opinion
How to set up an investment subcommittee
Gordons’ Ruth Bamforth lays out the ingredients of an effective investment subcomittee, but warns the liability for decisions remains with the main trustee board, in the latest edition of Technical Comment.
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News
DB-to-DC transfers forecast to impact on derisking strategies
Investment experts have predicted liability-driven investment programmes could become more tricky since the chancellor gave the green light to transfers from defined benefit to defined contribution, with schemes finding find it more difficult to predict liabilities.
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News
Nest sizes up green technology as it sharpens ESG focus
Nest is looking to benefit from a low-carbon economy through investments in green technology, in a triennial update of its investment beliefs announced today.
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Opinion
Time is running short. Regulators must provide detail on how to implement DC reform
Talking head: The National Association of Pension Funds’ Richard Wilson lays out the increasingly troubling timetable for schemes to carry through this year’s DC reforms, and calls on government and regulator alike to provide further detail.
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Opinion
How to educate DC members on retirement 2.0
Zurich’s Jonathan Plumtree argues that auto-enrolment and the Budget’s pension reform have turned the engagement challenge on its head, creating a new focus on decumulation, in the latest edition of Technical Comment.
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News
Church of England scheme boosts funding level with 20% equity growth
The Church of England Funded Pension Scheme has seen an improvement in its funding level thanks to asset outperformance, in particular from equities, as it looks to increase its illiquid asset holdings.