All Investment articles – Page 64
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NewsCovid-19: Volatility returns to markets after UK banks scrap dividends
While UK banks suspended dividend payments amid pressure from the regulator, European markets returned to volatile conditions. Meanwhile, FTSE 350 companies’ defined benefit schemes reached an accounting surplus.
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NewsCovid-19: Actuaries to rescue as private markets to be tested
Analysis of private debt markets suggests that with certain sectors of borrowers struggling with cash flows, lenders will have to be flexible and rely on well-written covenants. Meanwhile, actuaries are looking to help fight the global pandemic.
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News
USS sticks with March valuation despite battered funding level
Market volatility has seen the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s asset portfolio shed more than 13 per cent of its value and its deficit pass £11bn in recent days, triggering concerns, but as yet no action, from trustees.
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NewsCovid-19: PASA steps in with admin guidance, while gloom gathers in auto ABS
The Pensions Administration Standards Association has urged providers to prioritise the payment of pensions as it struggles with the challenges of working remotely, while the Covid-19 pandemic could affect the automotive industry and financial instruments backing lease deals. Elsewhere in our round-up of daily market moves and pensions updates, one asset manager says schemes should be wary of inferring a bounceback from calming stock markets.
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OpinionDon’t panic over 2020 valuations
Not all schemes will come out of the Covid-19 crisis in a worse shape than they entered it. Wherever trustees sit in the spectrum, their first priority should be gathering information, writes Dalriada Trustee’s Charles Ward.
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News
Covid-19: Disruption for DC schemes; social impact woes
While defined contribution trustees are being warned they could be facing more disruption than just investment volatility, institutional investors are calling on companies to mitigate the coronavirus social impact. At the same time, risks of cybersecurity and fraud are on the rise. Read our round-up of pensions and finance news about the coronavirus outbreak.
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Features
Opportunity knocks, but can active managers actually capitalise?
Data crunch: Active asset managers have been making some bold claims amid the market maelstrom unleashed by Covid-19.
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NewsCovid-19: Rally continues as BoE sounds gloomy note
The Bank of England's prediction of a deep recession, and grim news in the US labour market, looked to have cooled the bounce-back in equity markets before a late surge, while new analysis suggests further pain for credit markets if the pandemic worsens, and actuaries call on the Pensions Regulator to do more. Read our round-up of pensions and finance news about the coronavirus outbreak.
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NewsCovid-19: Markets bounce back; bulk annuity prices drop
While the FTSE 100 registered the biggest one-day gain since 2008, bulk annuities seem to be significantly more affordable than they were before. At the same time, alternative assets have not seen the biggest impact yet. Read our round-up of pensions and finance news about the coronavirus outbreak.
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News
Diversification helps Nest mitigate FTSE slump
On the go: Diversification in Nest’s default funds seems to be paying off, as the government-backed workplace pension scheme has seen a decrease of 17.6 per cent since the beginning of this year, while the FTSE 100 has fallen by 34.3 per cent.
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News
BA schemes agree acquisition and leaseback of Ted Baker HQ
On the go: The trustees of British Airways’ pension schemes have moved to capitalise on businesses’ need to refinance amid the Covid-19 pandemic, purchasing the London headquarters of struggling fashion retailer Ted Baker.
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News
HSBC ahead of curve with TCFD compliance
As the government seeks powers to mandate pension schemes to disclose their climate change risks, the HSBC Bank (UK) Pension Scheme is already on its second report under the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.
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NewsMPs’ scheme under fire for dragging feet on climate change
The pension scheme for MPs is not doing enough to combat the risks posed by climate change, according to a divestment campaign backed by 360 current and former parliamentarians.
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News
BoE’s return to QE adds to DB woes
On the go: The Bank of England has cut its base rate to a historic low of 0.1 per cent, while announcing plans to increase its balance sheet of bonds by £200bn.
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NewsVolatility exposes trustees’ slow reaction times
Volatility playing havoc with defined benefit funding ratios may speed the transition towards fiduciary management and consolidation of final salary schemes, according to governance specialists.
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OpinionGood behaviour begins at home
The investment industry is happy to sign up to sustainability standards on clients’ behalf, but has proved reluctant to make even simple commitments on companies’ own behaviour, writes IC Select’s Peter Dorward.
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News
LGPS returns to drop by almost half in next decade
As the world faces global meltdown and investors are set to receive lower and more volatile returns for the next decade or more, new research suggests that some local authority pension schemes may be overestimating their potential growth.
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News
L&G to launch fossil fuel free fund
On the go: PensionBee will offer Legal & General’s first fossil fuel-free fund, in response to demand from consumers to exclude oil from their pension investments.
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News
Cheshire Pension Fund questions members on investments and ESG
The £5.8bn Cheshire Pension Fund is gauging the views of its members and participating employers on its investment strategy and environmental, social and governance policy.
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NewsTCFD reporting confirmed as climate guidance takes shape
Trustees should stress-test their portfolios against a range of climate change scenarios, according to provisional guidance launched on Thursday, as pensions minister Guy Opperman warned of consequences for those in dereliction of their duties.