Research
UK Pensions Improve Funded Status in October
The deficit for UK private sector pensions is down £128 billion from last year.
News
Asset Management Culture
Agecroft: Hedge Funds Still Playing Key Role in E&F Portfolios
Different perspectives key to manager mix, panelists say.
Risk
Florida SBA Commits Over $1 Billion to Nine Managers
Funds go toward private equity, real estate, and distressed debt investments.
Newsmakers
N.C. Retirement System Boasts of Funded Status
Conservative assumptions and disciplined funding helped state rank among top-five funded pensions.
World’s Largest Fund Managers’ Assets Top $80 Trillion
Total AUM for the 500 biggest managers rose 5.8% in 2016.
Church Pension Group Calls Ditching DB for DC Plan ‘Irresponsible’
Group says practice of moving from defined benefit to defined contribution plans is not done for the benefit of employees.
A. H. Belo, NY Times Transfer Pension Liabilities
Newspaper publishers de-risk a combined $268.5 million.
Inflation Expectations Impact Pension Plans as Fed Continues Balancing Act
Markets continue to anticipate muted inflation, and the Federal Reserve to contemplate rate hike in December.
Newsmakers
Philadelphia Pension to Divest Private Prison Stocks
Board votes to liquidate $1.2 million worth of stock in three private prison companies.
Newsmakers
Illinois TRS Earns 12.6% in FY2017
However, unfunded status grows as fund continues ‘treading water.’
Research
Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global Returns 3.2% in Q3
Oil and gas, and basic material stocks, were the fund’s best-performing investments.
Manager Selection
Okla. Teachers Selects Northern Trust to Manage Index Portfolios
BlackRock and Rhumbline Advisers were among the finalists considered.
Newsmakers
Connecticut Teachers’ Pension Contribution May Rise 1%
Think tank says change will not be enough to stave off budget cuts and tax increases.
Corporate Moves
Norway’s Government Pension Fund CEO Resigns
Deputy managing director to serve until successor joins.
Skytop Strategies: Plan Sponsors Share ESG Expectations, Strategies, and Goals
Strategy, rather than divestment, key to a sustainable funds, panelists say.