research and markets – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Mon, 15 Jul 2024 20:34:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 Interest rate cut boosts returns from short-term government bonds, credit: report https://www.benefitscanada.com/canadian-investment-review/research-markets/interest-rate-cut-boosts-returns-from-short-term-government-bonds-credit-report/ Mon, 15 Jul 2024 19:00:42 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=158118 Returns from short-term Government of Canada bonds and credit are rising due to the easing of interest rates by the Bank of Canada last month, according to a new report from FTSE Russell. It noted while Canadian government bonds across all maturities rallied, the gains didn’t erase overall losses in the second quarter, except for […]

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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/top-5-hr-benefits-pension-and-investment-stories-of-the-week-90/ Fri, 12 Jul 2024 13:00:18 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=158072 A story on how group insurers can help plan sponsors provide adequate coverage and ensure appropriate use of treatments for rare diseases was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Sounding Board: How employers can mitigate cost of […]

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]]> Institutional investors considering AI need responsible rulebook: report https://www.benefitscanada.com/canadian-investment-review/research-markets/institutional-investors-considering-ai-need-responsible-rulebook-report/ Thu, 11 Jul 2024 19:00:26 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=158036 Putting responsible artificial intelligence principles in place is essential to enhancing risk-adjusted returns and positioning businesses for success, according to a new report by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the World Economic Forum. It found the use of AI can preserve and even create value for investors. However, institutional investors must find a balance between […]

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]]> Canadian public pension plans’ average funding ratio increased to 116% in 2023: report https://www.benefitscanada.com/canadian-investment-review/research-markets/canadian-public-pension-plans-average-funding-ratio-increased-to-116-in-2023-report/ Thu, 04 Jul 2024 19:00:35 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157428 Canadian corporate pension funds reported an average funding ratio of 117 per cent, while public pension funds reported an average of 116 per cent, according to a new report by Coalition Greenwich. The study, based on interviews more than 150 of the largest tax-exempt funds in Canada, found in 2023, these investors reported that, on average, six […]

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]]> Median solvency ratio of Canadian DB pension plans stays flat in Q2 2024: reports https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/cir-news-news/median-solvency-ratio-of-canadian-db-pension-plans-stays-flat-in-q2-2024-reports/ Wed, 03 Jul 2024 19:00:58 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157703 The median solvency ratio of Canadian defined benefit pension plans remained flat in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the previous quarter, according to a report by Mercer. The report, which tracked 450 DB pension plans, found the median solvency ratio was 118 per cent, as at June 28, 2024, the same as at […]

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]]> Mandating Canadian pension funds’ domestic investments could harm plan members: study https://www.benefitscanada.com/canadian-investment-review/research-markets/mandating-canadian-pension-funds-domestic-investments-could-harm-plan-members-study/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:00:19 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157443 A potential federal mandate for Canadian pension funds to increase their domestic investments could end up harming the very people the pension system is set up to protect, according to a new study by the Global Risk Institute. The paper examined the potential effect of official legislation that pushes for increased investments in domestic markets, […]

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]]> UN’s Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance adopting intermediate targets https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/cir-news-news/uns-net-zero-asset-owner-alliance-adopting-intermediate-targets/ Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:00:27 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157346 The United Nations’ Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance — an association of financial organizations that includes the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec — is incorporating intermediary environmental targets as it continues its push to net-zero emissions by 2050. In addition to the new environmental reporting targets for asset owners, the association’s guidance now includes […]

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]]> How the investment strategies of the Maple 8 impact the decisions of medium- and small-sized plan sponsors https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/how-the-investment-strategies-of-the-maple-8-impact-the-decisions-of-medium-and-small-sized-plan-sponsors/ Fri, 21 Jun 2024 12:56:30 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157189 While many of the investment strategies and resources at the disposal of the Maple 8 — Canada’s eight largest public pension plans that represent more than $2.1 trillion in assets under management — are out of reach for medium- and small-sized plan sponsors in the country, the path carved by the most sophisticated investment organizations […]

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]]> B.C.’s Municipal Pension Plan focusing on sustainable investments https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/b-c-s-municipal-pension-plan-focusing-on-sustainable-investments/ Fri, 21 Jun 2024 12:54:40 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157034 Chelsea Kittleson joined British Columbia’s Municipal Pension Plan at a time of change for the investment organization. The MPP’s executive director, who joined the plan sponsor in November 2023, has used her investment and operations background to implement and oversee a three-year strategic plan that includes long-term sustainable investment goals. Read: B.C. Municipal Pension Plan appointing […]

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]]> PSP Investments generates 7.2% annual return, net assets increase to $264.9BN https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/cir-news-news/psp-investments-generates-7-2-annual-return-net-assets-increase-to-264-9bn/ Tue, 18 Jun 2024 13:00:09 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157067 The Public Sector Pension Investment Board ended its fiscal year on March 31, 2024, generating a net return of 7.2 per cent, up from 4.4 per cent the previous fiscal year, according to its latest annual report. The investment organization held $264.9 billion in net assets under management, up 8.7 per cent from the end […]

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