The estimated funded status of the 100 largest U.S. public defined benefit pension plans rose to 79.9 per cent in June, from 79.4 per cent at the end of May, according to a new report by Milliman Inc. It found public DB plans in the report saw individual estimated returns ranging between 0.4 per cent […]
U.S. public sector defined benefit pension plans that have switched to a defined contribution model have experienced negative cash flows and increased costs and employee turnover, according to a new report by the National Institute on Retirement Security. The report analyzed five public sector pension plans including those in Alaska, Michigan and West Virginia. It […]
Amid concerns of energy independence and rising costs, institutional investors are increasing their investments in U.S. power plants and electricity-generating assets, said Aleksandar Andonov, associate professor of finance at the University of Amsterdam, during a webinar hosted by the International Centre for Pension Management. Andonov shared the results of a study he conducted in partnership […]
As central banks stepped into the market to fund operating losses, the ability to raise capital has usurped the natural function of markets: price discovery, says Rob Almeida, investment officer and global investment strategist at MFS Investment Management. Many companies have experienced an epic year raising capital because both good and bad businesses have been […]
In the current market environment, liquidity is top of mind for pension plans, says Jason Campbell, principal at Eckler Ltd. For example, despite a company’s potential work stoppages, it’s still responsible for benefit payments, as well as paying capital calls on investments as they come due. Some firms in the private markets space are trying […]