As interest rates return to pre-pandemic levels, fixed income is returning to its role as an equities hedge, according to a webinar on Wednesday hosted by AllianceBernstein Canada Inc. “As we see rates rise back to where they were at the end of 2019, there’s gas in the tank for fixed income to play that […]
While drug plan costs are increasing for plan sponsors, the causes for these increases may depend on which part of Canada a plan sponsor resides in, says Philippe Laplante, a principal responsible for the group benefits practice in Eckler Ltd.’s Montreal office. Over the past three years in Quebec, the average annual increase of recommended pricing […]
Despite adjustments to operations and investments during the coronavirus pandemic, Canada’s major pension plan leaders are maintaining a long-term view by looking ahead to a post-pandemic world. But we’re not out of the woods yet as Canada, and the rest of the world, are likely many months away from reaching herd immunity and thus life […]
Canada’s multi-employer pension plans are facing a wide range of challenges, from funding requirements to future growth, according to a recent webinar hosted by the Association of Canadian Pension Management. The group benefits and pensions division of Newfoundland & Labrador Municipal Employee Benefits Inc. is currently seeking a renewal of its solvency-funding exemption from the […]
While 65 has long been considered the traditional retirement age, younger employees face the possibility of working longer. Plan sponsors can learn much from the unique financial journeys taken by different generations toward their eventual golden years. A 2019 Scotiabank investment poll revealed that 68 per cent of Canadians are currently saving for retirement, but […]
Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd.’s senior director of total rewards, talks about the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, diversity and inclusion initiatives and perfecting her baguette recipe. Q. What top challenges do you face in your role? A. Right now, it’s all related to COVID-19 — not only ensuring that we have proper safety processes in […]
While the coronavirus pandemic is continuing to shape global markets following a tumultuous 2020, institutional investors are looking beyond the crisis, says Rob Almeida, portfolio manager and global investment strategist at MFS Investment Management Canada Ltd. “It’s no different how we thought about it last year, it’s just that the environment has changed. It’s about […]
Coronavirus vaccinations and the US$1.9-trillion fiscal stimulus package are paving the way for the U.S. economy to recover as the world enters the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, in turn driving investor demand for equities and risk assets, according to a recent webinar hosted by Natixis Investment Managers. Esty Dwek, global market strategist at […]
Possibly getting rich quick with a few swipes on one’s phone certainly sounds appealing and based on recent statistics and news reports, more and more Canadians are diving headfirst into the choppy do-it-yourself investing waters. According to Investor Economics, a financial services research firm, Canadians opened more than 2.3 million gross new accounts between January […]
The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan is making diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives a top priority, including a commitment to combat anti-Black systemic racism. Elena Palumbo-Sergnese, senior vice-president of human resources at the HOOPP, says the fund’s strategy encompasses four main approaches. These include the embedding of DEI into core processes and success measurements, allowing […]