As geopolitical uncertainty leaves many European pension funds exploring how to invest more in defence, Norway's KLP has just divested two listed defence companies for selling weapons to Israel because of human rights concerns in Gaza.
A group of UK pension funds have formed a new pressure group, the Governance for Growth Investor Campaign, to boost oversight of the companies in which they invest, warning that the British government’s sweeping overhaul of listing rules has watered down longstanding shareholder rights.
In a recent board meeting, University of Texas Investment Management Co's head Rich Hall explained why he is concerned about corporate earnings' impact on equity returns. He also warned that as consumer and company spending slows, a recession can become self-fulfilling until new facts emerge to break the pattern.
Investors are grappling with a multi-regime change that is manifesting in trade and geopolitical upheaval and a rise in real interest rates. But at a recent meeting, the CalPERS board heard that US equities remain top performers and the dollar, though weaker, is still historically strong and wil remain so.
Ilmarinen, Finland’s €63 billion ($73 billion) pension insurer, is laying the ground to significantly increase its equity allocation ahead of new pension rules in the country. CIO Mikko Mursula is preparing for a sharp increase in volatility of annual returns and the enhanced role and importance of diversifying the portfolio.
Ditching the sole trustee for a five-person board will help bring North Carolina’s pension funds out of enduringly weak performance by encouraging risk taking, says treasurer Brad Briner, whose experience includes managing Mike Bloomberg’s money. Sarah Rundell spoke to the treasurer about the new governance and investment overhaul.
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