The global financial crisis has underscored the importance of being able to analyse the risk and return characteristics of all investments, but in particular alternatives and unlisted assets. Greg Bright spoke with Christopher Ward, vice president of Boston-based State Street Investment Analytics, about recent trends.
Currency upheaval a permanent shift
The world’s currency markets are going through their biggest upheaval for almost 40 years since the fixed-rate exchanges started to end for Western countries. Currency expert, Ronald Leisching, of US-based Mountain Pacific Group, has studied the likely scenarios for pension funds and how they can cope in the new environment.
Korea fixes on a riskier strategy
The $260 billion National Pension Scheme of Korea plans to double both its international fixed-income and international equities exposures in the next four years. According to Ha-Young Kim, head of institutional networks and communications at the NPS, it is part of a survival plan for the fund for 49 million Koreans. Amanda White reports.
Mercer boosts capabilities for Asian push
Mercer Investment Consulting has boosted its pan-Asian capabilities by shifting its regional head from Sydney to Singapore and with a plan to expand its Mercer Sentinel implementation unit.
“Perverse” fall in UK pension liabilities
The pension deficits of UK pension funds actually retreated last month, despite the worst stock market performance since early last year.
Norway’s Norges fund tilts to active
With an enormous portfolio that includes management of 1 per cent of the world’s equities, the NOK2.7 trillion (US$431 billion) Norges Bank Investment Management, recently did a study examining the role of active management. Amanda White spoke to chief strategic relations officer, Dag Dyrdal (pictured).
