Liability-to-Market-Value Ratio Skyrockets for Eurozone Companies
Eurozone corporate pension deficits nearly doubled since 2007/8 as share of market value, according to Mercer.
Newsmakers
NY State Brings in ex-Wall St CIO
Pension funds are still sailing pretty rough seas, but one of the largest in the US has a new skipper at the helm to navigate the choppy waters.
Oregon Treasurer: State Pension Should Lower Expected Rate of Return
Oregon’s treasurer is advocating for a drop in the expected rate of return that the state’s $60 billion pension plan uses to calculate funding levels.
Securities Lending Veteran Resurfaces
As ‘risk’ continues to be the theme of the day, a seasoned veteran takes up a new post to oversee and control it at an independent securities lending firm.
Wyoming Pension: Time for a Fund Manager Fee Structure Makeover
The $6.5 billion Wyoming Retirement System's John Johnson and Jeffrey Straayer say that fee structures for fund managers need to shift control into the hands of asset owners -- the chief investment officers and other investing heads of pensions.
Cash-Strapped City Turns to Pension Fund For Loan
The mayor of Scranton, Penn., is hoping to secure a $16 million loan from the city’s struggling pension funds.
PIMCO Chief: Low Interest Rates Present Little Economic Upside
The “great global interest rate convergence” is hurting institutional investors without lifting the global economy, PIMCO’s CEO has argued.
UK Businesses Urge Relaxation on Pension Rules
As the UK slips back into recession, business leaders cry for some leeway on pensions to help heave the economy back into the black.
CalPERS Pushes Back Against Media Firestorm
CalPERS has offered a vigorous response to media critics that have faulted the fund for only returning 1% in the 2011 fiscal year.
Eurozone Slips Closer to the Abyss
There are more problems in the Eurozone as investors look for safe havens without the expensive price tag.
China National Pension Onboards 12 Asset Managers
China's National Council for Social Security Fund has approved contracts with 12 global asset managers, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Schroders.
Kay Review: Busting the Alpha Myth
Equity markets are rife with short-termism, but there are other problems too – relative performance is killing alpha creation, leading economist John Kay claims in a far-reaching review.
Swiss Corporate Pension Funding Squeezed
In fiscal year 2011, funding ratios of Swiss corporate pension funds fell back to their 2008 lows, underscoring the universally difficult climate for pension funds.
Russell: Corporate Pensions Are NOT Better Funded With Legislation
Funding relief by Congress is no panacea for corporate plan sponsors and, in the end, could mean muddy waters for investment programs, according to Russell Investments.
‘Goliath’ Leads Giant Canadian Pension Purchases
Canada’s thirst for real assets has seen international purchases this week, including one of the largest since the onset of the financial crisis.