Dutch transition: APG leans into data, IT and communication
APG has successfully shifted its smaller pension fund clients to the new defined contribution pension system and now begins the huge task of moving the giant ABP as well. The defined contribution system has many implications including shedding more than 1000 staff at APG and moving investments more into riskier assets.
AP2: SEC ‘no-action’ rollback could send more shareholder proposals to vote
AP2 has voiced its concerns around what impact the shift in US shareholder proposal exclusions, or the so-called “no-action letter” change, will bring to sustainability-conscious investors, as the Swedish buffer fund gears up for a busy year of engagement in 2026.
Nest favours institutional-first managers as retail exodus pressures private credit
Nest, the largest workplace pension in the UK, says that private credit managers who prioritise institutional clients will be more favourably viewed. The £61 billion ($82 billion) fund has awarded a £450 million ($605 million) US direct lending mandate to Crescent Capital this month, citing the manager’s institutional-client-first approach as a key attraction.
PKA ups the risk; builds out infrastructure
PKA, one of Denmark’s largest pension service providers, is exploring whether to increase its risk budget by 10 per cent to boost returns. Michael Flycht, deputy director of equities and liquid alternatives at PKA, outlines why the fund is achieving this objective via leverage rather than direct exposures, and where it’s allocating towards in hedge funds and infrastructure.
From politics to portfolios: the market impact of rising populism
Populism has become part of the global landscape, rooted in frustrations over inequality, stagnant mobility, and a sense that mainstream policymakers have failed to adapt to shifting economic realities.
The Asset Owner Directory is an interactive tool to give readers an insight into the world of global asset owners. It includes key information for the largest asset owners around the world such as key personnel, asset allocation and performance.
| Fund Name | Country | AUM ($B) | Articles | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ABP/APG Asset Management | Netherlands | $709 | 158 | View Info |
AP Fonden 2 (AP2) | Sweden | $48 | 46 | View Info |
National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) | United Kingdom | $68 | 23 | View Info |
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) | Canada | $522 | 96 | View Info |
Germany’s largest pension fund VBL ups diversification; invests more abroad
Germany’s €70 billion pension provider VBL is increasing its diversification, notably investing in overseas real estate outside Germany for the first time. It’s also increasing its tilt to international equities over European stocks, enabled by an organisational and investment process overhaul.
Rethinking portfolio construction at the human-AI nexus
As artificial intelligence models become more sophisticated, asset owners and managers are rethinking portfolio construction as an activity sitting at the nexus of human and machine, which means gaining an edge over the market increasingly needs investors to tap into the wisdom from both sources.
Fiduciary Investors Symposium
This event looks at the challenges long-term investors face in an environment of disruption including ongoing geopolitical risk and shifts in global economic dynamics. By accessing faculty of Harvard’s esteemed university, this event will leave investors empowered to tackle disruption in their portfolios and working lives.
Fiduciary Investors Symposium
The Fiduciary Investors Symposium at Stanford University celebrates the fast-moving change taking place in economies and communities and will examine the impact of innovation on our lives, workplaces and investments.
Oil crisis: Curb or catalyst to the green transition?
The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has left the world facing another energy crisis and warning bells of a global recession are growing increasingly shrill. Ostensibly, the crisis could also push the energy transition back as governments and companies scramble to shoulder the cost of $100 per barrel of oil and prepare for higher
APAC equities moves from tactical to structural buys
The outperformance of APAC equities in 2025 has reignited interest among asset owners in allocating towards the region, but Franklin Templeton’s investment strategist Christy Tan argues the investment case for APAC has shifted from a tactical to a structural buy. She unpacks the reasoning in conversation with Top1000funds.com Asia Pacific correspondent Darcy Song.
CPP Investments, NBIM reflect on lessons from a 5-year transparency journey
The Global Pension Transparency Benchmark has been a driving force in improved transparency of disclosures and reporting among global asset owners. As the project comes to its close after five years, two leading funds reflect on why transparency has been a clear focus for their organisations.
NPS raises hedging ratio as Korea’s capital outflows weigh on won
South Korean investors’ pursuit of offshore investments has become a significant source of won weakness and triggered a shift in hedging rules for the $1 trillion National Pension Service. With an overseas asset exposure greater than Korea’s national foreign reserves, NPS’ move demonstrates the scale of impact FX risks can have on portfolios.
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Strategy and reporting under the microscope: Denmark’s ATP awaits review
Denmark’s ATP is awaiting a review that will report on the strength of its investment strategy, and suggest how to simplify reporting. But additional transparency must not hurt the future returns for members, warns Allan Japhetson, head of investment strategy at ATP.
Iceland’s LV mulls more EM exposures, PE co-investments after SAA review
Iceland’s LV is eyeing more emerging markets allocation and private equity co-investments after conducting an SAA review, which will be finalised in the first half of 2026. CIO Arne Vagn Olsen says the shift is designed to make the $11 billion pension fund future-ready.
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