Survey: Sentiment for US Stocks Among HF Managers Grows Bearish
Amid concern about slowing economic growth, a new survey shows more than a third of managers are increasingly bearish about the US stock market and upbeat on 10-year Treasuries.
Asset Allocation
Pension Deficits Haunt 32% of FTSE Firms
A study by KPMG shows 32% of firms "can now not payoff deficits in any realistic time frame from discretionary cash flow."
Activists Urge Gates Foundation to Shift to Socially and Ecologically Appropriate Practices
Activists are organizing a campaign to urge the $33 billion Gates Foundation to sever ties with agribusiness giant Monsanto and other firms involved in developing bio-engineered crops, encouraging the foundation to shift its funding priorities from industrial agriculture to socially and ecologically appropriate practices.
Corporate DB Plans Aim to Minimize Global Investment Risk, Survey Says
The survey of 114 cross-border organizations found that more than three-quarters (77%) are seeking to make changes to promote better management of risk globally, while many are considering changes to elements of their governance frameworks.
UK's Pension Protection Fund Plans for 110% Funding by 2030
Britain's Pension Protection Fund (PPF), created in 2005, aims to build its solvency ratio to 110% over the next 20 years, from 88% in March 2009.
Norway's SWF Drops Israeli Companies Citing 'Grossly Unethical' Actions; Africa Israel Says Claims Are Groundless
Norwegian Finance Minister Sigbjorn Johnsen said the oil fund has excluded two Israeli firms for ethical reasons.
Pensions Should Follow the Leads of CalPERS and Utah Retirement Systems Over HF Fees
Research house Lipper is encouraging schemes to demand greater explanation and justification on hedge fund fees.
PBGC Sees Hike in Multiemployer Benefit Payments Ahead
The US public body that insures pensions says it expects five-fold rise in multiemployer benefit payments.
Number of FTSE Firms Providing Final Salary Benefits Drops
Researchers have found that the number of defined benefit pension schemes in the UK has continued to plummet over the past year.
Survey Shows Investor Pessimism Shifts to Japan, US
A new study shows fund managers are moving out of Japan and the US and into Europe.
Survey: Infrastructure Investors Step Up Investment; Find PE Model Inappropriate
While more investors are looking to invest in the asset class, many are questioning whether the management fees and fund carry structure of private equity are appropriate.
In Quest for Growth, Netherlands Pension Manager to Up Asian Property Investment
Seeking to benefit from rising housing demand in the world's fastest-growing regions, the asset manager for Netherlands' largest pension fund will increase property investments in Asia.
Nominations Now Open for 2010 ai5000 Industry Innovation Awards
Industry Innovation Awards for the world's top asset owners, including endowments, foundations, pensions, insurance, and sovereign wealth funds.
Connecticut, Montana Pensions Plan Asset-Liability Reviews
Connecticut will carry out an asset allocation and liability study for each of its six state pension funds, while the Montana Board of Investments has commissioned an asset-liability study for the $2.5 billion Montana Teachers' Retirement System.
Mexico Pensions to Double PE Exposure
The country's 14 private pension funds, or Afores, are positioning themselves to invest more heavily in real estate and infrastructure bets.