CEOs Still Have Bleak View of the Economy
Conference Board survey says their confidence level is lousy. A portent for the future?
Research
Despite Robust Returns, US Corporate Pension Funding Falls in July
Record-low discount rates erase 2.85% asset gains for the month.
Corporate Pension Plans’ Funded Status Dips for First Time Since April
A surge in liabilities from low discount rates dropped aggregate ratios 1.3 percentage points to 79.9%, Wilshire says.
Institutional Plans Report Best Quarter in over 33 Years
Large plans underperformed small plans, likely due to significant exposure to alternative investments.
Canadian DB Pensions, Pooled Funds Rebound Sharply in Q2
Equities rally helps spur strong quarterly gains.
Research Calls Lack of Diversity Atop Financial Regulators a ‘Bipartisan Failure’
There has never been an African American chair of the SEC, CFTC, or FDIC.
COVID-19 Relief Packages Help Fuel Ultra-Low Interest Rates
EIOPA warns that persistent low rates pose a ‘systemic risk’ for insurers.
Increased Investor Risk Appetite Spurs Endowment Index Q2 Rebound
Index jumps 15.40% after plunging more than 20% during the first quarter.
US Insurers Aren’t as Concerned About Climate Risk as Global Peers, GSAM Finds
Just half of American carriers consider global warming during their investment process, versus more than 70% of their European and Asian counterparts.
Montana Pensions Face Risk of Fiscal Distress in Recession
Funded levels could tumble if pensions don’t meet 7.6% investment return target, Pew says.
Less Tax-Efficient Funds Cost UK DB Plans £250 Million Yearly, Study Finds
Researchers say pensions must invest in tax-transparent funds, insurance policies to be eligible for tax advantages.
US, Canadian Pension Funds Rebound with Markets in Q2
Resurgent equities erase nearly 40% of US corporate pension funded status loss during first quarter.
Pandemic Will Slice 7% from World’s Wealth in 2020, Says BCG
A painful $16 trillion could vanish from the planet’s coffers, only the second down year this century, Boston Consulting’s study estimates.
Toll Roads Face Long Road to Recovery: Bad News for Funds Eyeing Infrastructure
The typically stable asset class has been hit as traffic levels have dropped 40% to 85% globally, S&P analysts say.
Roller Coaster Markets Don’t Dampen Investor Optimism
Despite whipsaw market volatility, financial professionals expect only modest declines in 2020.