Pension funds
IAS 19 to speed pension de-risking
Proposed changes to accounting standards will remove some of the reporting freedom enjoyed by pension funds and could steer them away from investing in equities towards the relative safety of bonds and swaps – a development that could have an impact on…
Hedge fund investment back on pension funds' horizons
Pension schemes are again making allocations into hedge funds, despite the negative performance from many funds – and therefore correlation with underlying markets – throughout the financial crisis. So why the interest? John Ferry reports
FTSE targets UK pensions industry with defined contribution index
FTSE has created an index to help asset managers and retail investors navigate the pensions market. The index provider has partnered with London-based data services firm Pension DCisions to create the first benchmark for the UK’s defined contributions…
Mature pension funds will not survive another financial crisis
Pension schemes have been severely affected by the recent financial crisis. But, according to Cardano’s Theo Kocken and Joeri Potters, the prognosis for recovery is dependent on the maturity of the individual schemes – unless there is widespread systemic…
Inverted swap spreads change insurer’s and pension fund’s hedging approach
Inverted swap spreads have defied earlier predictions that they were a short-term aberration to still be a feature 18 months after their first appearance. Is this set to continue and, if so, does it pose an opportunity for pension schemes and insurers?…
Against the grain
Pension fund performance in 2008 was appalling, with funding levels plunging across the globe – but some schemes sidestepped a funding crisis by focusing on effective risk management.
In search of the perfect match
Demand from pension funds for structured products has slumped during the financial crisis due to the great sell-off of equity risk. But the downturn has raised awareness of how derivatives can help match assets and liabilities, a strategy that is on the…
Sponsored statement: Santander – investing in Latin American equities through derivatives
Santander is the largest financial franchise in Latin America, but that does not prevent it from acting with agility and foresight. Leveraging its expertise and capabilities in western Europe – with leadership positions in Spain and the UK – an…
