Public-private partnerships (P3s) for infrastructure projects are providing more cost-effective and rapid results compared with conventional procurement approaches, but they are not suitable in every situation, according to a report. The Conference Board of Canada’s study, Dispelling the Myths: A Pan-Canadian Assessment of Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure Investments, assesses the performance of projects in the […]
1. The true reason hedge funds performed so poorly in 2008 2008 was one of the worst years for equity markets, yet hedge funds did not provide the diversification benefit that was expected of them. What happened? Read more 2. Special report: Is SRI sustainable in a downturn? This package includes a compilation of stories […]
The current fee structures featured by many infrastructure funds are flawed and are impeding take up by institutional investors, according to Watson Wyatt. However, with a few changes, such funds may see a sharp rise in investor interest. Watson Wyatt’s Fees in Infrastructure report concludes that the firm favours either low-cost PPP (public-private partnership) strategies […]
The politics that naturally accompany infrastructure projects are a major headache for the private half of public/private partnerships (P3s), resulting in cumbersome decision-making and slow implementation, according to a KPMG International survey. However, the asset class is nevertheless expected to grow in popularity with institutional investors. KPMG’s global survey of more than 455 infrastructure executives […]
York University Pension Fund’s approach to alternatives is all about infrastructure. As Canada’s third-largest university, York University in Toronto has been expanding students’ horizons through higher learning for nearly 50 years. But it’s not just students who are getting the opportunity to grow and learn—the university’s $1.1 billion pension fund is always in learning mode […]
The recent trend of increased private sector ownership of infrastructure assets has resulted in a surge of investment into the asset class, but investors need to realize that the term ‘infrastructure’ does not guarantee profitability, according to an expert. In a speech to the Toronto CFA Society on Tuesday, Rob Prugue, senior managing director at […]
Other Brieflies this week:| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | Morneau Sobeco has struck a strategic alliance with Sibson Consulting, the human resource consulting division of The Segal Company, to strengthen its presence in the United States. “Through this alliance, Morneau Sobeco will be able to offer benefits and human resource […]
Other Brieflies this week:| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | Canada’s economy is on solid ground and is well positioned to weather the current economic turbulence, according to federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. “It’s important to note that, although our economy is closely tied to the United States, we are not […]
Alberta Investment Management Corp. (AIMCo) plans to invest more in private equity, infrastructure assets and hedge funds in an effort to boost returns. “In recent years, returns on traditional interest-bearing investments, such as bonds and money market funds, have fallen,” said AIMCo chairman Charles Baillie, in a speech to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Thursday. […]