All IPE articles in February 2016 (Magazine)
View all stories from this issue.
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Opinion Pieces
Long-Term Matters: COP21 - let’s change the questions
It is clear the COP21 climate change summit was a diplomatic success in the face of powerful vested interests lobbying hard to prevent progress
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Features
Pensions Accounting: A matching miss
The shift to a new accounting model was always going to be a challenge for the insurance sector. Until now, the International Accounting Standards Board has relied on a stopgap in the form of International Financial Reporting Standard 4, Insurance Contracts.
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Country Report
Pensions Accounting: Deficit pain lingers
Mick O’Byrne provides an update on the accounting deficits of defined benefit pension schemes of Irish listed companies and state entities
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Features
ESG: Accounting for nature
Elisabeth Jeffries reports on a new management tool to help companies assess environmental risks and their use of natural resources
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Special Report
UK DC: Large funds get in on the act
We examine the strategies of two UK defined contribution funds
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Features
Ahead of the Curve: Time to embrace downside risk
The attractions of equity put options as way to reduce a portfolio’s downside risk exposure can make it an expensive play. But offering call options canprovide higher long-term returns
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Features
Asset Allocation: The big picture
It might have been pardonable to hope for a steady start for capital markets in 2016 after the Fed’s smooth execution of its first interest rate hike in nearly a decade
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Analysis
Analysis: Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global
One of the great certainties among asset owners has been the stable, almost static asset allocation of Norway’s NOK7.1trn (€733bn) sovereign wealth fund. Changes in investment strategy could bring that perceived certainty to an end
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Features
New answers to old problems
With increasing frequency, leading financial sector professionals and academics are expressing doubts about our financial system
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Opinion Pieces
Letter from the US: Bad deal from IRAs
Americans are saving more in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), but this vehicle has the highest fees and the lowest returns, according to a new study by the Center for Retirement Research (CRR) at Boston College. This means trouble for retirees.
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Asset Class Reports
Small and mid-caps and corporate governance: Battle for a common ground
We map the obstacles in the way of a unified approach to corporate governance in a Europe characterised by a north/south divide in small and mid-caps
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Interviews
On the Record: How do you help members get the best out of DC?
Three pension funds - Almenni, AP7 and Fondo Espero - share insights about their DC schemes
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Features
Financial technology: big data, greater expectations
In an age of big data, investors are making increasing demands on their managers, who are also faced with rising security and regulatory challenges, writes Vanessa Drucker
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Asset Class Reports
US small & mid-caps: In the land of the brave
Led by technology and healthcare, the US small-cap sector is the most dynamic in the world but some companies are becoming overvalued
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Features
Briefing: A longevity step-change?
Was 2015’s unexpected increase in the UK mortality rate a blip or a slowing of the mortality improvement rate?
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Opinion Pieces
Letter from Brussels: A simmering conflict
Conflict continues to simmer over the issue of passport rights for non-EU-domiciled hedge funds across the EU
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Asset Class Reports
The case for listed small-caps
The liisted small-cap and mid-cap market could be a better place for investors to start when considering a move into private equity
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Special Report
UK DC: Providers face payout challenge
UK product providers are grappling with how best to pay out income in retirement
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Features
Focus Group: A changing climate
Climate change risk has been formally discussed by 15 funds polled for this month’s Focus Group
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Features
Diary of an Investor: In the wrong clothes
It has not been a great start to the year at Wasserdicht’s Dutch pension fund. Volatile markets have been worrying our trustees and our coverage ratio has dropped, just like at most Dutch pension funds.
