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WSIB eschews administrivia for risk deep-dives

This summer the Washington State Investment Board will conduct two “deep dives” using its new risk tools to examine the portfolio exposure to US debt, and the impact of turmoil among the European Union. Executive director, Theresa Whitmarsh, discusses the board planning session, which will also include a review of the fund’s resource constraints.

Investors see the forest for the trees

Timber is increasingly attractive for institutional investors as part of an alternatives exposure, with benefits including diversification and inflation-hedging. To date most of the investments have been in the US, but a new report predicts this will move to emerging countries including those in Asia, with consultants advising investors spread their timber exposures to capture

HOOPP derives benefits to boost funding status

The extensive use of derivatives has been a big contributor to the C$35.7 billion ($37.4 billion) HOOPP reaching fully funded status. Jim Keohane, chief investment officer, explains how the fund manages its assets and liabilities through liability-hedging and return-seeking portfolios and the role derivatives play in dialling risk up, or down.