Asset Allocation
Equities sell down
To better manage downside risk, the second-largest UK local government pension scheme has a plan to gradually alter its equity allocation.
Sarah RundellFebruary 12, 2016
Uncategorised posts
Exchanges need to adapt to institutional demands: Norges
Institutional investors now dominate the free float holdings of listed companies and exchanges need to adapt to this enduring change in market structure and investor needs, according to Norges Bank Investment Management, manager of the $818 billion Norwegian sovereign wealth fund. Norges Bank, which itself owns around 1 per cent of the world’s listed stock, […]
Amanda WhiteSeptember 2, 2015
Uncategorised posts
The impact of the mega manager
The impact of size is a delicate point for asset managers. For specialist asset classes, and boutique managers, being small and nimble can be a source of alpha. On the other hand, being large can reduce fees and increase innovation and product offering. But now there is evidence to show that the emergence of the […]
Amanda WhiteAugust 21, 2015
Uncategorised posts
GPIF continues equities rampage
The giant Japanese pension fund, the Government Pension Investment Fund, continues its quest to move from bonds into equities and shift around 30 per cent of assets, or around $327 billion, out of domestic bonds and short term assets, appointing four new equities managers. The new asset allocation, approved in October last year, sees the […]
Amanda WhiteFebruary 11, 2015
Uncategorised posts
Investors alter allocations because of climate risks
A number of large institutional investors, including AP1, the Environment Agency and AustralianSuper, made changes to their strategic asset allocation as a result of Mercer’s 2011 study on climate risks, and now the consultant is working with a new raft of investors to assess forward-looking climate change scenarios against their current allocations. Meanwhile one of […]
Amanda WhiteSeptember 24, 2014
Uncategorised posts
Predicting equity returns with rising rates
The impact of higher rates on equity returns is a concern for investors and to some extent an unknown. But by applying the concept a threshold correlation, as done with bond portfolios with a duration targeting framework, it is possible to better understand the complex interactions between equity returns and interest rate movements. The latest […]
Amanda WhiteApril 4, 2014