All Briefing articles – Page 22
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Features
Defined ambition and supervision
The Dutch pension sector is working on new pension contracts, with softer benefits as the expected outcome. Meanwhile, the European Commission has planned to revise the IORP Directive and European supervision of pension funds. Dick Boeijen, Niels Kortleve and Jan-Willem Wijckmans ask if these processes are compatible
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Back to 4%?
Mariska van der Westen outlines the Netherlands’ proposed ‘ultimate forward rate’ within the new framework for pension funds, which aims to marry real and nominal objectives
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Over-funded, over 2008… and over here
US players are set to rule distressed Europe, writes Jennifer Bollen, but local players could offer crucial cultural advantages
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Smooth operators
The Swiss are taking pains to make their banks as risk-free as possible to ensure client loyalty, finds Iain Morse
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Restless continent
Africa is set for a busy year of elections – and it has already experienced an old-fashioned coup. Charlotte Adlung assesses the political risks behind the investment opportunities
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Bad news travels
Thanks to potential underfunding, most Dutch pension schemes have already announced they will cut pension payments.
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Boarding time approaches
For liquid investors with an eye on the medium term, investing in the maritime industry could be just the ticket, argues Marcel C. Saucy
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Private assets on public markets
Listed private equity struggles to drum up interest even from private investors. Anthony Harrington asks, does it have any role to play in institutional portfolios?
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Political decisions for investors
Helene Williamson outlines the complex process of assessing political risk in emerging markets and warns investors they ignore this risk their peril
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Keeping tabs on the costs
Pension funds and trustees need to know exactly what different DC pension providers are charging so they can compare them against each other. Gail Moss reports
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Features
Small is beautiful
Smaller companies make up the vast majority of the economy, are better-aligned with shareholders, more entrepreneurial – and not necessarily young and inexperienced. No wonder they both outperform and diversify large-caps, writes Nick Hamilton
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Features
A nugget of risk reduction
Marcus Grubb summarises a new study of the diversification benefits that gold offers to a euro-based institutional investor
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FeaturesThe impact of Solvency II rules
Jurre de Haan, Agnes Joseph, Siert Jan Vos, Jan-Willem Wijckmans compare Solvency II with the FTK in terms of the likely coverage ratio shortfall
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FeaturesEuropean pension supervision
Dirk Broeders, Niels Kortleve, Antoon Pelsser and Jan-Willem Wijckmans assess EIOPA’s holistic balance sheet proposal
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Features
Regulating Europe
Gail Moss reviews pension regulation and law changes under discussion in seven European countries
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FeaturesIn defence of pro-cyclicality
Adina Grigoriu asks, is pro-cyclical risk management necessarily a cost – or can it be an unexploited source of performance?
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Features
Low beta, high benefits
The significant outperformance of apparently ‘low-risk’ stocks over time is a well-known ‘anomaly’ in investment theory. Martin Steward asks, if it is an anomaly, won’t it eventually be corrected?
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Features
One year later
The Tohoku earthquake of March 2011 was one of the most devastating natural disasters of recent times. Martin Steward asks if it has changed the way investors look at their Japanese equity portfolios
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Features
Keiretsu culture
Japan’s corporate governance culture has been moving, albeit slowly, towards Western models. But Nina Röhrbein finds that the Olympus scandal could lead to some push-back
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Features
Help trustees to stay on the ball
Gail Moss outlines how pension funds can develop training schemes to enable trustees carry out their duties competently
