COVID-19
Markets remain fragile
A risk management strategy that measures resilience and fragility of markets, protected portfolios from the wild February downswing in equity markets, and predicts more fragility to come.
Amanda WhiteMay 5, 2020
Investor Profile
Maryland’s record year prompts actuarial rate reduction
Maryland State Retirement and Pension System is the latest fund to record an historical performance for the 2021 financial year, returning a best ever 26.7 per cent. Again public and private equities were the star performers with an exceptional 51.85 per cent return in private equity and 44.54 per cent in public equities But in recognition there might be a bill to pay for those higher returns in the future the fund has lowered its actuarial rate of return.
Amanda WhiteSeptember 9, 2021
Investor Profile
The importance of governance in a crisis
From December to mid-March of this year New Zealand Super lost 20 per cent of its assets. It’s the second time in less than 18 months the fund has experienced a significant drop in assets but in an example of how good governance and process can allow for counter cyclical behaviour the fund is now buying equities.
Amanda WhiteApril 29, 2020
Equities
A new route to minimising volatility
Defensive equity investment strategies are nothing new, but a key issue with many is that defensive does not necessarily mean low volatility. Scientific Beta looks at a strategy to target both goals, using robust low volatility controls to create a new defensive index for the volatility-averse investor.
Daniel Aguet, Noël Amenc and Felix GoltzApril 3, 2020
Investor Profile
France’s FRR prepares to ramp up equity
The French SWF, FRR, is preparing to invest more in equities and illiquid assets as important reforms extend its time horizon. With the coronavirus crisis delaying the asset allocation decisions the fund is operating in an "intermediate context", slowly shifting out of bonds and into equities.
Sarah RundellApril 2, 2020
Equities
Emerging markets vulnerable
Investors have pulled $83 billion from emerging markets since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the largest capital outflow ever recorded, and the IMF and the World Bank are calling on G20 countries to show relief in dealing with their emerging market counterparts.
Amanda WhiteMarch 25, 2020
Equities
Time for a coordinated approach
The US Federal Reserve has fired its last round of ammunition, cutting interest rates to zero, in a move that continues to see it play from the monetary policy songbook. Some market commentators doubt whether it will be enough to prop up markets, raising the question of whether it is finally time for a more coordinated fiscal and monetary policy approach.
Amanda WhiteMarch 16, 2020
