IPE's CEE Coverage – Page 3
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Opinion Pieces
Notes from the Nordics: Finland on the frontier
Fear and uncertainty are rattling markets, but financial concerns are dwarfed by the human suffering caused by the war in Ukraine. In Finland, people have particular reason to worry due to the country’s long land border with Russia.
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Features
Ahead of the curve: China treads a careful path
Since the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 the Chinese Communist Party has not put a foot wrong domestically. It has pursued economic growth alongside social cohesion, entrenching its prime objective of staying in power.
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News
Germany roundup: Actuaries ponder on war in risk management models
Plus: Caritas, Kölner Pensionskassen digitise business
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News
Austrian Pensionskassen take return hit from Ukraine war in Q1
Last year’s performance was more positive: in 2021, Austrian Pensionskassen recorded returns of 7.62%, and Vorsorgekassen of 4%
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Opinion Pieces
Viewpoint: Post-war Ukraine
Post-war Ukraine offers threats and opportunities. Peter Kraneveld says it will pay to keep an eye on some key factors
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News
Danish pensions lobby proposes sector pitches in to build national defence
IPD proposes ‘completely new PPP collaboration’, in the light of the war in Ukraine
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Opinion Pieces
The Ukraine war and what it means for pension funds
A health check for pension funds as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine raises questions about diversification and energy
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Opinion Pieces
Viewpoint: Invasion reactions show pension funds are more than investors
Before the Russian government’s decision to invade Ukraine at the end of February, the exposure of European pension funds to Russian assets was relatively low, and in some cases non-existent. Nevertheless, those funds that did invest in Russia acted quickly to reassess their exposure and divest from Russia entirely when possible, given the treacherous market conditions.
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Opinion Pieces
Germany's debate on pension reform edges forward
The war in Ukraine, an unspeakable human tragedy, is forcing governments around Europe to reset international relations and find new partners to secure energy sources. The invasion has strongly tested the intent of the new German government to break with the previous administrations of Angela Merkel.
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Features
Ukraine & Russia: Asset allocation and investing in a time of war
It is a well-known fact that geopolitical events have no lasting impact on financial markets. However, Russian president Vladimir Putin’s decision to wage war on Ukraine has forced institutional investors to reassess their strategies. While stock market indices tend to recover fairly soon after the initial shock of a geopolitical event, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has potentially wide-ranging consequences beyond a sudden spike in volatility.
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Features
Fixed income, rates & currencies: War and inflation dominate
While we watch horrible scenes of towns and cities under bombardment, their bewildered and bloodied citizens desperately searching for safety, the huge shockwaves generated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine are spreading rapidly far beyond both countries’ borders.
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News
Russian losses for Nordic pension funds unclear, but allocations small
Denmark’s IPD says pension funds’ Russian, Belarusian investments diminished to DKK2bn in March from DKK9.2bn end 2021
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News
Norway adds Russia, Belarus to SWF’s bond blacklist; says fund is not policy instrument
North Korea and Syria to remain part of “government bond exemption”, says finance ministry
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News
Swedish watchdog warns pension funds to check solvency given war
FSA says survey shows insurance firms had low exposure to Russia and Ukraine, but only a quarter had calculated solvency since war began
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Opinion Pieces
Viewpoint: A new kind of political risk
Peter Kraneveld argues that investors should take the possibility of future economic and financial sanctions against other countries seriously
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News
Swiss roundup: Reform mitigates AHV deficit
Plus: Cabinet in the dark on Russian assets; Crypto futures on SIX exchange
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News
Denmark urgently needs an energy independence plan, says pensions lobby
‘Even before the war in Ukraine, we were faced with an urgent task in the green transition,’ says IPD CEO
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News
Germany roundup: Munich Re exits Russian market
Plus: Pension investors should prepare for high volatility and inflation, says Mercer
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News
Norway’s SWF submits plan to divest zero-value Russian assets ‘over time’
NBIM proposes adjustments to GPFG’s mandate to reflect the removal of Russia from fund’s investment universe – but does not disclose details
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News
Dutch schemes react to Ukraine war
While a growing list of pension funds have announced their intention to divest from Russia, a large number of funds has kept silent about the conflict