With historic perceptions of emerging markets and equities no longer matching reality, institutional investors have the opportunity to scoop up good companies at low valuations, said Kamil Dimmich, portfolio manager for the emerging markets equity strategy at Pacific North of South Capital, during the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Defined Benefit Investment Forum in December. While he […]
An article on how the federal government should ensure its new Canadian Dental Care Plan doesn’t displace existing employer-sponsored dental coverage 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. Tax credit could ensure national dental-care plan doesn’t displace employer-sponsored coverage: expert […]
The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is co-sponsoring a new India-based infrastructure investment trust holding assets in the renewable energy space. The new fund raised US$165 million as part of an initial units offer and made its debut on the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. this week. “This milestone not only reinforces our commitment to invest […]
The Pension Investment Association of Canada will concentrate its legislative advocacy efforts on funding reform in 2024, including for an overhaul of long-term, minimum funding regulations for federally regulated defined benefit pension plans, said David Lawson, the PIAC’s new chair. In an emailed statement to Benefits Canada, he said as DB plan sponsors continue to face […]
Some institutional investors are telling private equity managers they’ll only commit to upcoming fund raises if their capital tied up in old funds is released, according to reporting by Bloomberg. Additional requests range from fee discounts and more co-investment opportunities to greater information rights and representation on committees, said the report, noting some are even […]
Recent challenges to the 60/40 balanced portfolio rule shouldn’t sway institutional investors away from the strategy, said Steve Foerster, professor of finance at Western University’s Ivey Business School, during the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Investment Innovation Conference in November. “Regardless of what’s happening now, we don’t want to confuse strategic asset allocation, which is what […]
As the objectives of defined benefit pension plans have evolved, so too have institutional investors’ reasons for including fixed income allocations in a portfolio, from adding diversification and offsetting negative returns in equity to liquidity management and capital preservation, said Ashwin Gopwani, managing director and head of retirement solutions at Sun Life Capital Management, during the Canadian Investment […]
While it’s impossible to predict exactly how pension case law will evolve in future, one can offer an educated guess at some legislative developments and other issues that may confront pension plan sponsors and administrators in the coming year. Risk management Plan sponsors can expect a continued focus on risk management as a key part […]
A story on mental-health themes and challenges for 2024 was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the past week: 1. Expert panel: Employers taking preventative, holistic approach to employee mental health in 2024 2. AI holds uncapped potential for pension plan sponsors’ administration, communications: […]
3M will freeze its U.S. defined benefit pension plans for non-union U.S. employees, effective Dec. 31, 2028, and move plan members to a 401(k) plan structure. Eligible employees will continue to accrue benefits under the pension plans until the freeze date, according to a press release, which noted this decision applies to both 3M and 3M Health Care. Former […]