Inflation hedging is back on top of the agenda for investors as conflict in the Middle East drives up energy prices globally, but the FIS Singapore heard that many portfolios are not well-prepared for the broad ways through which inflation can creep through. The new era of significant trade and capital flow shifts driven by modern mercantilism is also throwing out TAA opportunities.
Innovation is more important than ever given the uncertain and ambiguous times that lie ahead for institutional investors like climate change, political dysfunction and poor returns. “Returns can only come from an ecosystem that works and we need innovation to do this,” said Roger Urwin, global head of investment content, Willis Towers Watson speaking at the Fiduciary Investors Symposium at Cambridge University.
Mercer has quantified a ‘low-carbon transition’ premium in the sequel to its seminal climate change report, showing that a 2⁰C scenario equates to 11 basis points per annum to 2030 in a typical growth portfolio.
Long-term infrastructure investors need to engage with the public and do much more to build trust in the value of their capital, said Brett Himbury, chief executive, IFM Investors (Australia), the global infrastructure manager, owned by 27 leading pension funds with $120 billion AUM.
Thinking and acting long-term and holding their service providers to account on long-term risk behaviours and measures, is one of asset owners’ most enduring challenges. Speaking at the Fiduciary Investors Symposium at Cambridge University a panel of experts highlighted important tools asset owners can deploy to ensure they stay focused on the long-term.
OTPP increased its bond allocation from 22 to 31 per cent last year. The defensive strategy was aimed at taking advantage of rising yields in fixed income markets and protecting the portfolio from a potential economic slowdown given the late cycle and decade-long economic expansion.
Oregon State Treasury has de-risked its $12 billion real estate allocation, moving away from closed end, private equity-style investment and its associated inherent cyclical risk and total return focus. Building in more liquidity and transparency, reduced volatility and lowered fees via evergreen manager partnerships in separate account and open-end fund structures.
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FIS Asia 2026