US Debt Ceiling Problems Halt Federal Pension Investment
Fears of breaching the United States’ debt ceiling has meant the government has temporarily halted further payments into the pension fund for Federal employees.
News
Minderides in At State Street’s UK Transitions Team
Ex-JP Morgan transition management chief John Minderides has
been recruited to lead State Street’s efforts in the United Kingdom; Rick
Boomgaardt, head of EMEA transitions, has left the firm.
NYC Comptroller Liu Voices Pension Commitment to Minority and Women Investment Managers
New York City Comptroller John Liu has expanded the city's pension funds' commitment to minority and women investment managers by $500 million.
Ex-APG Exec Appointed to European Investment Bank
Pim Van Ballekom, APG Pension Group's former Head of International Public Affairs, has been appointed as the European Investment Bank's (EIB) Vice-President.
Gold Is No Cure-All But Should Be Embraced, NEPC Says
In times of elevated market volatility, investors cast their eyes to any asset category that rises as stock markets and other risky assets fall, a new paper by consulting firm NEPC notes.
CalPERS Highlights Hybrid Pension Plans
Hybrid pension plans maintained by state retirement systems are a proven to deliver pension income security, retain essential staff, and provide important economic stability to every city, town, and state across the country, CalPERS says.
Institutional Investors: Risk-On in 2012
Asset allocators have started the year with the largest ‘about turn’ in investment confidence in over two and a half years.
PBGC to American Airlines: Preserve Pension Plans Despite Bankruptcy
Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation director Josh Gotbaum
is asserting that bankrupt American Airlines should not use Chapter 11 to
jettison its pension plans.
Deutsche Bank Urges Pension Age Rise as Neighbours Forced to Action
Deutsche Bank senior economist urges German politicians to continue with raising the nation’s pension age, despite potential initial fallout.
Demand for AAA Europe Collateral Pushes Bond Lending to Record Levels
French, German and UK sovereign debt on loan hits record level as investors seek good quality collateral in turbulent European market conditions.
Short-Sellers Foresee More European Economic Gloom
Short-sellers hit non-essential goods producers as fears of worsening conditions continue to mount.
CalSTRS, Others Give Nod of Approval to CFTC Vote on Wall Street Swap Abuse
Pension funds such as CalSTRS and others in the industry say that moves by US regulators to soften Dodd-Frank Act rules designed to protect less-sophisticated customers in swap trades is a signal that legislation is moving in the right direction.
NYC Actuary Recommends Lowered Return Rate for Pensions
Robert North, New York’s chief actuary, is recommending that the city’s schemes lower its assumed annual rate of return on assets to 7% from 8%.
Mercer Predicts Bankruptcies Due to “Shoe-horn” Approach to Pension Regulation
European companies could be pushed to insolvency by ill-fitting pension regulation, a major investment consultant says.
MFS Chief Chooses Credit and Tech for 2012
Quarter trillion dollar strategist makes calls on 2012 and ups frequency of portfolio turnover.