Newsmakers

July 31, 2012

QE a Double-Edged Sword for Institutional Investors

The Federal Reserve’s August 1 meeting could bring news of a fresh round of quantitative easing, something that could bring ecstasy to markets but some pain to institutions investing against liabilities.

July 31, 2012

US Courts Closed to BP Shareholders

Dividends were pulled and share prices sank – but where can shareholders find redress?

July 30, 2012

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.

July 30, 2012

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.

July 27, 2012

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.

July 27, 2012

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.

July 26, 2012

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.

July 26, 2012

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.

July 25, 2012

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.

July 25, 2012

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.

July 24, 2012

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.

July 24, 2012

Eurozone Slips Closer to the Abyss

There are more problems in the Eurozone as investors look for safe havens without the expensive price tag.

July 23, 2012

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.

July 23, 2012

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.

July 20, 2012

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.