Report
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July, 2012
Fund managers to use more ETFs in future
Fund managers are to increase their use of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded products (ETPs), according to a survey commissioned by Lyxor, itself an ETF provider. According to the research, 54% of fund managers plan to increase their use of ETFs and ETPs, and almost a quarter of them expect at least a 10% rise in these assets. At present, 81% ...
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July, 2012
Credit opportunities knock for Brevan Howard
Brevan Howard is one hedge fund manager which has benefited from opportunities in the credit markets in the first half of 2012 to produce a return of 6% from a range of strategies in one of its credit funds. Charlotte Valeur, chair of the BH Credit Catalysts investment trust commented: “Central banks have recognised that most Western countries have to ...
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July, 2012
NAPF positive on LGPS blueprint
The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) cautiously welcomed the agreement over the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) between the Local Government Association and trade unions. NAPF policy director Darren Philp said: “Importantly, this agreement protects the lower paid from having to pay more into their pension. The last thing we want is for ...
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July, 2012
Global trend to transfer pension risk is accelerating
The trend for defined benefit (DB) pension funds to transfer pension risk to third parties is both global and accelerating, according to consultants Mercer. Low interest rates, volatile equity markets, rising life expectancy and the economic downturn are driving this trend, and forcing company finance executives to find ways to shed pension ...
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July, 2012
Pension funds advised to assess impact of Libor manipulation
Pension funds should ask their fund managers if their assets have been affected by the recent scandal involving Barclays in the manipulation of Libor, according to the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF). NAPF head of corporate governance, David Paterson, said: “The impact of Libor manipulation on pension funds is hard to pin down, and could ...
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July, 2012
Investors welcome binding shareholder votes on executive pay
News that the government plans to bring in a binding shareholder vote on executive remuneration on a triennial basis has been welcomed by two key investment trade bodies. The move by business secretary Vince Cable came after the so-called “shareholder spring” which saw a wave of votes against executive remuneration policies at high-profile corporates ...
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July, 2012
Europe’s woes to stress German banks
Lombard Odier’s Stephanie Kretz has warned that Germany cannot save the euro on its own and is, in fact, increasingly heavily exposed to the problems of the Eurozone periphery countries. Following a recent statement by Germany’s Angela Merkel that: “Germany is strong. Germany is the economic engine and anchor of stability in Europe…but Germany’s ...
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April, 2012
Ultra-long Gilts divide opinion
Different views have been put forward on the idea of ultra-long government bonds with a term of 100 years. In support of the concept, JLT Pension Capital Strategies director, Antony Barker, said that criticisms of the proposals have been overdone. “There are good investor-specific, strategic and overall market-enhancing reasons to welcome a new bond that ...
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April, 2012
Euro debt is greatest concern for global economy
The Eurozone debt crisis is the biggest problem for the global economy, followed by the possible effect of a Middle East conflict on oil supplies and the continuing slowdown in China, according to Invesco chief economist John Greenwood. Greenwood said that the next test for the Eurozone is whether euro-area banks can meet the 9% tier one capital ...
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April, 2012
Discussions continue over £30 billion pan-London fund
London’s 34 separate pension schemes for 32 boroughs, the City of London Corporation and the London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA), could be merged into a single £30 billion fund under proposals currently being considered. The superfund could save administration costs by pooling assets, and politicians have suggested it could invest up to 7.5% of ...
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