CalPERS’ approach to improving portfolio returns by engaging management of poorly performing companies to rethink governance and strategy has had a substantial endorsement, with analysis by Wilshire Associates demonstrating that the fund has had a dramatic effect on the performance of the companies placed on its Focus List.
Viewing the world differently: Alaska Permanent Fund’s new asset allocation
The $32 billion Alaska Permanent Fund has taken a unique approach to asset allocation, re-organising the fund according to how investments respond to economic conditions and their purpose in the portfolio. Chief executive, Mike Burns spoke to Amanda White about the new approach, which also includes a search for four ‘external CIO’ mandates. Alaska Permanent … Read more
BT Pension Scheme digs deep to plug deficit
The £31.3 billion ($51 billion) BT Pension Scheme will make additional deficit contributions of $862 million per year over the next three years after suffering an $13.6 billion loss on its investments in 2008. Kristen Paech reports on the scheme’s performance in 2008 and its new strategic asset allocation, which includes a 20 per cent weighting to alternatives.
Consultant warns of PPIP risks
The Pension Consulting Alliance is warning clients to exercise caution in investing in the Public-Private Investment Program, advising that other opportunistic fixed income investments offer a better risk/return profile.
SWFs eye offshore deals after quiet Q1
Hurt by mark-to-market losses and exercising caution in the face of an unforgiving investment environment, sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) made only 26 investments, worth $6.8 billion, in the first quarter of 2009 – their lowest deployment of capital since the fourth quarter of 2005.
Caisse pulls out of risky real estate after $5 billion write-down
Canada’s largest pension fund manager, the C$120 billion ($108 billion) Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, has restructured its real estate group and ceased investing in the mezzanine and subordinated loans sector after suffering more than $4.5 billion in losses on its real estate and private equity portfolio in the first half of the year.
