Despite the low-yield environment, fixed income continues to play an important role for institutional investors looking to make their portfolios work harder in a risk-controlled fashion, said Jeffrey Moore, a portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments Inc., during a session at the Canadian Investment Review’s 2021 Global Investment Conference. “For the bond market to hurt, there needs […]
As places of economic activity, flood plains have their advantages — just ask the ancient Mesopotamians or the staff of the Winnipeg-based Teachers’ Retirement Allowance Fund. “Those of you who have been to our offices will know we’re right at the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. We are right in the flood plain […]
Norway’s largest pension fund is divesting from 14 companies involved in producing nuclear missiles and other weapons. Oslo-based KLP, which manages more than 300 billion kroner (US$35.4 billion), said it made the decision after reviewing companies that may violate its guidelines on weapons. “Those excluded are mainly companies that directly or indirectly contribute to the continuing […]
More than 450 financial institutions across 45 countries are committing over US$130 trillion in private capital to transform the global economy to net zero over the next three decades. The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, which was launched in April 2021, introduced 24 major initiatives for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or […]
One year into a five-year plan to reduce its investments in greenhouse gas-emitting companies by 50 per cent, the Bâtirente is on pace to reach its target. Last year, the defined contribution pension fund announced a number of environmental commitments it intended to reach by 2025, including a pledge to reduce its exposure to climate-related […]
The majority of human resources professionals said they believe their organizations’ current benefits and retirement offerings are meeting the needs of a diverse workforce, according to a new survey by Aon. The survey, which polled 262 HR professionals across Canada, found almost three-quarters (74 per cent) said they believe their retirement savings program is sufficient for […]
The University of Toronto is the latest institution committing to the divestment movement, saying Wednesday it will sell off all fossil fuel investments in its $4 billion endowment fund by the end of 2030 to help fight climate change. The commitment by its investment manager, the University of Toronto Asset Management Corp., includes divesting from all direct investments […]
A number of Canadian institutional investors are urging corporations to begin addressing climate change risks and opportunities in order to receive their investment dollars. Some 36 institutional investors, including Bâtirente, the British Columbia Investment Management Corp., the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, the Investment Management Corp. of Ontario, the Ontario Pension Board and the […]
After being off of Canadians’ radar screens for years, the re-emergence of inflation in recent months is receiving significant attention for many, including pension plan professionals. Some believe the inflationary increases will be transitory because recent price increases are primarily due to short-term disruptions in the Canadian economy caused by the emergence from restrictions due […]
In his first public statement on Alberta Investment Management Corp.’s investment strategy, the organization’s new chief executive officer says the AIMCo won’t have a policy to divest from hydrocarbon producers. “I want to be clear in stating that we believe that divesting hydrocarbons would miss an urgent opportunity to work with the companies who’ve the […]