While many of the investment strategies and resources at the disposal of the Maple 8 — Canada’s eight largest public pension plans that represent more than $2.1 trillion in assets under management — are out of reach for medium- and small-sized plan sponsors in the country, the path carved by the most sophisticated investment organizations […]
While real assets are largely absent among the investment options offered by Canadian defined contribution pension plans, they can offer significant long-term benefits to plan members, said Andrew Knox, managing director of Franklin Templeton Investments’ global real assets fund, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 DC Plan Summit in February. “[Defined contribution] investors in […]
An article on how a shorter workweek can support higher levels of employee health and happiness was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the past week: 1. Four-day workweek improves employee well-being, retention: expert 2. Report finds women taking 69% of all mental-health leaves of […]
An article on Eastman Kodak Co.’s plans to outsource management of its pension assets was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week: 1. Kodak outsourcing US$1.6TN of pension assets to maximize overfunded status 2. OMERS returns 4.6% for 2023, driven by equities, fixed income […]
A joint venture that saw the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Blackstone Inc. acquire a 20 per cent stake in a senior mortgage loan portfolio from the failed Signature Bank for US$1.2 billion was the biggest mergers and acquisitions transaction in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to a report by S&P Global Market Intelligence. […]
By the time Nick Chamie graduated with his first degree in economics in 1992, the Berlin Wall had already fallen and the Soviet Union had ceased to exist. Still, Chamie — now the chief strategist and senior managing director at the Investment Management Corp. of Ontario — explains that, as he began making his way in the […]
The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is investing $80 million in logistics service provider Xpressbees. The Indian packaging and shipping company, which offers its services across the country, is using cutting edge technology to advance its business, according to a press release. “India is a critical market for our [Teachers’ Venture Growth] Asia strategy, where we […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is increasing its exposure to fintech opportunities. The investment organization was among investors in a $71 million funding round from venture capital firm Luge Capital that was dedicated to fintech startups. The new fund, which will focus on Canadian and U.S. companies, will also include vertical fintech […]
In the pursuit of long-term portfolio construction solutions, institutional investors are increasingly turning their attention to the private debt asset class, says David Sum, director of the alternative income group at Ninepoint Partners. “Looking ahead, we believe the current high interest rate environment and liquidity constraints from banks and the syndicated market creates a favourable […]
The infrastructure arm of the Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System is investing in a fibre-optic communication network provider. OMERS Infrastructure has agreed to make a significant capital commitment in Beanfield Technologies Inc., which operates 4,000 kilometres of fibre-optic broadband infrastructure network in Canada. The investment will be used to support the network’s expansion. According to […]