Financial system robust but geopolitics poses threat: Bernanke

Former Governor of the US Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, says there are no foreseeable shocks to the financial system. In any case, he says, the system itself is so much more robust than it was before the crisis, that it could weather the storm. The only possible cause for concern is geopolitical risk.   Risk … Read more

Despite demand ADIA still sees value in infrastructure

There is still value in infrastructure, according to ADIA’s head of infrastructure, John McCarthy, provided you adopt a flexible approach. The huge sovereign wealth fund is reviewing its strategy, including whether it currently has appropriate benchmarks in infrastructure, a question that has been prompted by its outperformance.   The natural competitive advantage that the Abu … Read more

Japan’s GPIF sets investment principles

Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund, the largest pension fund in the world, has established a set of investment principles that focus on its ability to take advantage of its long-term investment horizon and the fund’s ability to make pension payments. The ¥137 trillion ($1.1 trillion) fund is working to long time horizons, with a fiscal … Read more

CalPERS gives its managers ESG ultimatum

In what promises to be a transformational moment for ESG integration and investment manager accountability, CalPERS will require all of its managers to identify and articulate ESG in their investment processes. CalPERS staff led by Anne Simpson, senior portfolio manager and director of global governance, presented the ESG manager expectations, and draft sustainable investment guidelines, … Read more

What is the minimum AUM for internal management?

Large funds outperform small funds mostly mainly due to the cost savings of internal management. So when does internal management make economic sense for a fund? It’s at a much lower AUM than you might think. CEM Benchmarking analysed a universe of 186 pension funds globally. That universe is split into four groupings: 77 funds … Read more

Best practice de-cumulatisation: a hybrid approach

Given annuitisation of retirement income is no longer compulsory in UK defined contribution funds, NEST has set out to uncover what best practice retirement income distribution looks like. The solution is a hybrid of flexibility and insurance – at low cost. Amanda White spoke to NEST chief investment officer, Mark Fawcett. One of the newest … Read more