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.
News
Barclays Investigated for 2008 SWF Fundraising Improprieties
In the latest regulatory headache for the UK bank, Barclays has disclosed that the Financial Services Authority is investigating four current and former employees for possible improprieties involved with fundraising in 2008 from a sovereign wealth fund.
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.
CIC Says 'Goodbye Stocks'
In an effort to shield itself from short-term market movements, the China Investment Corporation is increasingly shifting away from stocks, according to the sovereign wealth fund's recently released 2011 annual report.
Actuaries: 80% Does Not Equal Well Funded
By itself, a funding ratio of 80% does not mean a pension plan is adequately funded, the American Academy of Actuaries has asserted.
When Do Bonds and Equities Demand the Same Risk Premium? Right About Now, Actually.
Bonds are always the safe option, right? Wrong – at least according to a paper on the behaviour of assets in times of economic “disaster”.
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.
Emerging Central Banks Provide Counterweight During Risk-On and Risk-Off Markets
A new paper published by the Bank for International Settlements sheds light on the role that central banks in emerging markets play during risk-on and risk-off environments.
Giant Canadian Pension Manager Commits to Property
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), totaling $162 billion as of April, has committed $355 million to seven multifamily properties in the United States.
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.
Stop Fiddling With Your Hedge Fund Strategy Allocation
Investors who actively adjust their allocation strategy within a hedge fund portfolio to earn returns are making a foolish mistake, an article published by the CFA Institute has argued.
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.