Uncertainty on how U.S. and Chinese policies will affect trade, Italy’s budget standoff with the European Commission, worry over Brexit and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s monetary policy all imply volatility for the coming year, according to Russell Investment Canada Ltd.’s 2019 market outlook. The firm is remaining neutral on equities and underweight U.S. stock, though it’s maintaining a more […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is lending $150 million to SSQ Life Insurance Co. Inc. SSQ Insurance, a large insurance and investment company based in Quebec, is aiming to use the loan to carry out its strategic plan, which focuses on innovation, digital transformation and Canada-wide development. Read: Caisse invests in Quebec insurance company, takes stake […]
Canadian taxpayers are providing $22 billion each year to the country’s public sector pension plans by assuming undisclosed investment risks, according to a new report by public policy think-tank the Fraser Institute. In the report, its author Malcolm Hamilton suggested public pension funds view the income they provide to plan members on retirement as 20 […]
Though financial markets were volatile and bond yields dropped, Canadian defined benefit pension plans benefited from higher asset returns in November, with median solvency standing at 100.6 per cent, according to Aon’s monthly survey. Among the plans surveyed, 48 per cent were more than fully funded, down just 0.2 percentage points from the end of […]
Emerging market equities are expected to show the heftiest returns in 2019, underpinned by a stronger economic background, said William Yun, executive vice-president at Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions, at an event in Toronto on Tuesday. While the asset class is still muted compared to returns 20 years ago, the investment firm is working with the forward-looking outlook that emerging market […]
While many investors expect the U.S. bull market to end in 2019, some institutional investors are planning changes to their allocation strategy or return assumptions, according to a new survey by Natixis Investment Managers. The survey found about two-thirds of institutional investors expect the U.S. bull market to end in 2019, while 70 per cent […]
A coalition of investors is asking North American fossil fuel producers to up their disclosure on water risks. The Shareholder Association for Research and Education is teaming up with the U.S.-based Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility to send a letter to 30 companies requesting they participate in a water questionnaire from the Carbon Disclosure Project, a […]
“Knowledge is knowing that tomatoes are fruit — wisdom is knowing that you shouldn’t put them in the fruit salad.” It’s a quote that is particularly apt in today’s, markets, according to Trevor Leydon, head of portfolio construction & risk, Aviva Investors. Indeed, in a market environment that has been shaped by central bank intervention […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is investing about $665 million in an American packaging supplier as part of a recapitalization deal with private equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners. Berlin Packaging sells plastic, glass and metal containers and provides warehousing and logistical services. Read: CPPIB partners to capitalize European logistics venture “Berlin Packaging is a market leader […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is buying shares in ChargePoint Inc., an electric vehicle infrastructure company, as part of a US$240 million funding round led by Quantum Energy Partners. “ChargePoint provides an attractive opportunity to invest in a market-leading business with room for expansion that aligns with our growing focus on the energy transition,” said Avik […]