Pension funds are enjoying somewhat of a post-crisis golden age of asset management as they simultaneously experience better value for their money while negotiating lower fees, according to a report. A bfinance survey of 48 pension plans in Europe and North America finds that 28% of respondents report lower base fees, while 3% say they […]
The ‘Great Recession’ may have resulted in a shift away from the “free agent” model of employment to a more long-term outlook on the part of employees as they seek stability and career development, reports Towers Watson. The firm’s Global Workforce Study, based on interviews with 20,000 employees in 22 markets around the world, finds […]
The outcome of a recent class action case within Canada’s financial industry could potentially open the floodgates to overtime lawsuits against employers, warns Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. The law firm offers five key steps employers should take to address the risk of overtime claims: 1. Determine which employees are entitled to overtime pay and which […]
Pharmaceutical companies that provide deep discounts for drugs to the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) appear to be “in a panic” after the provincial government released details on participating drug makers and the rebates they supply, reports the Globe and Mail. The ODB—one of the largest purchasers of pharmaceuticals in the world—capitalizes on its purchasing power […]
The 130/30 strategy—which utilizes leverage by underweighting (shorting) poor performing stocks and overweighting undervalued stocks—is not new to institutional investors. Hedge funds have used it for years. However, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the lack of transparency inherent in hedge funds has made the strategy unpalatable for many institutional investors, who have […]
This year has been fair to defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors in the U.S. and U.K. so far, where the funded status of plans are improving or at least holding steady. Based on the latest figures from Mercer, the funded status of U.S. pension plans sponsored by the S&P1500 companies was unchanged between January and […]
While defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors in the U.K., U.S. and Canada are experiencing similar challenges, U.K. plan sponsors are more adept at managing risk, according to Aon Consulting. Aon’s Pension Risk Management Global Survey of 41 global financial services organizations that provide risk management services to U.K, U.S., and Canadian pension plan sponsors finds […]
The fate of the so-called “gold plated” public sector pensions appears to be up in the air as the country awaits the federal government’s 2010 budget, and those on both sides of the debate are weighing in. Recent comments from Treasury Board president Stockwell Day, regarding the need to bring federal spending down, have raised […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec looks to be back on track after posting a return on investments of $11.5 billion, or 10.04%, in 2009. While the numbers are below its benchmark index by four points, the results represent a significant rebound from the fund manager’s dismal 2008 losses of almost $40 billion. […]
Plan sponsors looking to de-risk their defined benefit (DB) pension plans have a range of options to choose from, each with its own advantages and challenges, according to a recent Mercer web cast. Hrvoje Lakota, principal, retirement, risk and finance with Mercer Canada explained that mismatching assets and liabilities is the key source of risk […]