Japan fund reduces domestic bond weighting

The world’s largest investor, the ¥117,643 billion ($1.43 trillion) Government Pension Investment Fund of Japan (GPIF) has reduced its weighting to domestic bonds by more than 1 per cent, moving the money into short term assets.

At the end of September, the second quarter of the fund’s fiscal year, it still had a whopping 70 per cent invested in domestic bonds, but this was down from 71.1 per cent the quarter previous.

The domestic bond allocation has been as high as 72 per cent, but at the end of fiscal 2009 was a relatively low 67.54 per cent.

The allocation to international bonds (8.16 per cent) and international stocks (9.74 per cent) were also up slightly for the September 2010 quarter.

The fund returned 1.53 per cent for the second quarter, a vast improvement on its first quarter loss of -2.94 per cent.

Most of the fund’s assets are managed passively, and last financial year (ending March 31, it reduced its weighting to actively managed international equities, widening the number of service providers at the same time.

Sponsored Content

Overall the fund employs more than 80 funds managers.

Leave a Comment

Sort content by

New method for incentive compensation at CalPERS

CalPERS is contemplating an incentive schedule for senior investment executives that builds in downside risk, by expanding the range of the factor multipliers for the quantitative elements of investment performance plans, a move which could potentially eliminate a small compensation incentive award. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

End of an era as APG appoints new CIO

A focus on governance and sustainability has been recognised by APG Asset Management, in appointing former global chief executive of ING Investment Management, Europe, Angelien Kemna, as successor to chief investment officer Roderick Munsters, the man who has sat at the helm of two of the Netherlands’ biggest pension funds. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2

NYSTRS leaves UNPRI but remains committed to governance

The New York State Teachers Retirement System has voluntarily withdrawn active participation in the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) initiative but will continue to support strong corporate governance principles through memberships in the Council of Institutional Investors and Ceres. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Pastoral musings on investments

Chief research strategist and head of beta research at RogersCasey, Cynthia Steer, takes a summertime look at the “New World” of investing. She compares today’s investment challenges to those of gardening, and in contemplating the stoicism and constancy of long-time gardeners and farmers, she notes that portfolios today need to be re-constituted, the risk within

CalPERS’ securities lending loss

CalPERS will continue its securities lending program following an annual review, despite significant pressure on its collateral pool, with income of $220 million generated for the year to March but unrealised losses on the internal collateral reinvestment of $854 million. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Does less leverage mean lower returns for listed property?

The financial crisis has put an end to the excessive use of leverage by real estate companies, and the prospect of distressed assets presents opportunities for pension funds. Kristen Paech discusses the outlook for the sector with Ritson Ferguson, CEO and chief investment officer of ING Clarion Real Estate Securities.   mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1

Previous