Corporate DB Plan Funding Levels Suffer in 2014
The aggregate funding levels fell to just 80% at the end of last year, nine percentage points behind 2013’s peak.
News
Penn. Pension Sells Off $1.75B of PE Funds-of-Funds
The $53 billion public fund is dialing back private equity exposure with one of the largest secondary transactions of 2014.
China, Oil, and Greek Elections: Deutsche Bank Looks Forward (and Back)
Deutsche Bank has ranked the best and worst investments of 2014—and has a warning for the first hurdle of 2015.
Towers Watson Faces Lawsuit over ‘Negligent Advice’
The UK’s Coal Pension fund is taking legal action to recover millions it claims to have lost through a currency hedge.
Weak Third Quarter Hits US Public Pensions
Declining equity markets hurt the US’ biggest pensions, but assets still rose in the first nine months of 2014.
Newsmakers
George Washington U. Hires OCIO for $1.6B Endowment
Strategic Investment Group has won the outsourcing mandate after a nine-month search.
As Hedge Funds Shutter, Industry Pay Falls Again
CIOs of $1 billion-plus hedge funds took home $233,000 less on average than last year.
Professionalizing the World’s Largest Pension
Japan’s giant pension fund is poised to improve its investment prospects with imminent reforms, an independent report says.
What Does It Take for Smart Beta to Be Successful?
There is much room for improvement in smart beta strategies, according to Research Affiliates.
Dutch Pension Giant ABP Names Chairman
The Netherlands’ biggest pension fund has a new chairman.
Newsmakers
The Year That Wasn’t
What have European investors learned from in 2014 to arm them for the year ahead?
A CIO Christmas Carol
CIO Scrooge and his team are still working on Christmas Eve to eke out the last few basis points of the year.
Dutch Pension Funds in 2014: A Lament
The Dutch pension system is viewed as one of the best in the world. But according to Rabobank Pension Fund’s CIO Bernard Walschots, 2014 was not its finest hour—and 2015 looks little better.
NY Governor Vetoes Bill to Raise Caps on Alts
The vetoed bill would allow NYC pension to up allocations to alternatives and international bonds to 30%.
Manager Selection
Amid Internal Clashes, San Diego Hunts for CIO
The public pension’s OCIO experiment with Salient Partners is reaching a tumultuous end.