The importance of risk management isn’t new for the majority of defined benefit pension plan sponsors and administrators. The impact of long-term interest rates, market volatility, changing demographics and increasing longevity, inflation concerns, geopolitical events and other large economic, environmental and social factors are all contributing to the need to manage the financial risks associated […]
The Saskatchewan Pension Plan is allocating parts of its balanced fund to Ninepoint Partners and Fengate Asset Management in a bid to further diversify its portfolio. Ninepoint has received a private debt allocation of 10 per cent of the SPP’s balanced fund and Fengate will take on a 10 per cent infrastructure allocation, according to a press […]
While there’s broad interest in environmental, social and governance factors, the majority of U.S. defined contribution pension plan consultants said their plan sponsor clients are looking for further clarity on the Department of Labor’s proposed guidelines before incorporating ESG into their investment options, according to a new survey by the Schaus Group and T. Rowe […]
Defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution pension plans are uncertain about how to incorporate environmental, social and governance issues into their investment processes in a way that’s consistent with fiduciary duties, according to a new white paper from the Association of Canadian Pension Management. “Sustainable investing, including ESG, is an area where some investment […]
Several of Canada’s largest pension funds have backed a proposal requesting that Amazon.com Inc. review how its actions against ongoing union organizing efforts align with its stated commitment to freedom of association and collective bargaining. The proposal by the Shareholder Association for Research and Education and the Catherine Donnelly Foundation was supported by the Alberta […]
As a member of the Southern Africa Committee, a group that organized international pressure on South Africa’s apartheid regime, Joe Clark learned the value of keeping embassies open. “If you shut your embassy down, you’re taking away your own ears, your own vision,” said the former prime minister of Canada, speaking during the keynote session […]
King Midas’ gold-heavy investment portfolio wasn’t built for long-term growth, rather as an effective hedge against long-term inflation. “The 150-year real return of gold has been plus 0.2 per cent, so it’s not a very attractive asset from a long-term perspective,” said Inigo Fraser-Jenkins, co-head of institutional solutions at AllianceBernstein, during a session at the […]
Robust research on emerging trends can reveal much about future market opportunities, said Joe Faraday, director, international equities at Baillie Gifford, during his session. “I want for us all to be thinking about the growth waves – that’s the growth topic that really interests and excites us… Ultimately, it’s all about trying to ride growth […]
With increased market volatility due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, central banks in the West looking to tighten monetary policies as the world begins emerging from the coronavirus pandemic and higher, more persistent inflation than anticipated, bond investors are in for a wild ride, said Samantha Klein, lead of institutional business for T. Rowe Price […]
In recent years, Canada’s largest pension plans have dramatically increased their allocations to private assets — and smaller plans’ sponsors are taking note. “Investors are confronting capital market expectations for the next 10 or 20 years that look somewhat more modest than what we’ve recently experienced. Many are beginning to pursue larger allocations to private […]