The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan has released its first climate change report. Written following the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s task force on climate-related financial disclosure, the report outlined the plan’s governance approach and strategy with regard to climate change. “Climate change is one of the biggest and most daunting challenges facing the world.” […]
While carbon concerns have been dominating conversations among institutional investors looking to mitigate environmental risk, the issue of water usage should be higher on their list, according to a paper by Russell Investments Group. “Overall, we have concluded that the current water-related investment tools available are insufficient and inhibit investors from converting insights into meaningful […]
More than half (58 per cent) of institutional investors surveyed have implemented smart beta strategies, according a recent survey from FTSE Russel. This represents a 10 per cent increase since 2018. When looking at investors that have implemented smart beta, or are evaluating or planning to use a smart beta index-based strategy, the number jumps […]
As factor and multi-factor investing become more commonly understood investment styles, different strategies can help mitigate specific risks in choppier markets. “Nobody wants to hear about risk until it’s too late,” said Carlos Phillips, vice-president and director at TD Asset Management Inc., at an event hosted by the firm in Toronto on Tuesday. A significant […]
When the World Economic Forum met this year in Davos, Switzerland, it chose a very timely topic: the fourth industrial revolution that’s about to be wrought by automation. Like every revolution, it will have winners and losers. Artificial intelligence will massively increase productivity and create jobs that don’t even exist today. But at the same time, it will […]
While user experience is a major focus in the technology world, it’s time to start looking at retirement from the end-user experience as well, said Mike Tuira, vice-president of defined contribution at Invesco Canada Ltd., during Benefits Canada’s 2019 DC Plan Summit in Banff, Alta. in February. The four elements leading to retirement success are […]
With Brexit looming, European investor confidence dipped while North American confidence rose slightly in March compared to February, according to State Street Corp.’s latest global investor confidence survey. Globally, investor confidence rose 0.4 points to 71.3 in March. Confidence in North America rose to 68.3 from 66.2, while it declined in Europe by 7.8 points to […]
Multiple stakeholder groups are praising the 2019 federal budget’s proposal to amend tax rules to allow for late-life and variable annuity structures. The proposed advanced life deferred annuity would be a qualifying annuity purchase under registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement income funds, including trusts run by these accounts, as well as defined contribution pension […]
U.K. pension plans could see an easing of their liabilities, based on the latest longevity data from the country’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in its continuous mortality investigation (CMI). The report showed both men and women’s longevity, as of age 65, has decreased by about six months compared to 2017. Indeed, the 2018 version of […]
Well-governed boards have greater international diversification and lower cash holdings, according to a working paper by Carolina Salva and Nadège Bregnard from the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. “Why would pension fund board governance shape asset allocations?” the paper asked. “In our view, asset allocations are potentially associated to board inefficiencies that can arise when […]