All articles by John Lappin – Page 8
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Features
Russia puts funds on firmer footing
Russian investment funds, illegitimately described as pensions funds will be forced to drop the name, when a pensions bill, strengthening the Russian pensions inspectorate and currently progressing through the Duma, becomes law. Russia’s 200 non-state pension funds involving the savings of 1.5 million Russians will also b e given a ...
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Features
Norway: Phillips widens horizons
Phillips Petroleum in Norway is looking for investments beyond the domestic bond market, because of the relatively flat prospects for growth this year, but it currently holds the maximum allowed for domestic and in-ternational equity portfolios. The fund, which manages approximately $200m, has 70% of its holdings in domestic bonds, ...
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Features
Irish start on pensions reform
Ireland has taken the first step towards reform of its occupational pensions sector with the launch of the National Pensions Policy Initiative. The publication, on the 13 February, of a 72-page government document setting out possible policy courses marked the start of a national consultation exercise. The deadline for responses ...
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Features
Spanish regulations delayed again
The appointment of a new director general to the Spanish Insurance Directorate could delay publication of regulations required by companies to comply with a 1995 Spanish pensions law. Under the law, the deadline for conversion from book reserves to externally funded schemes is May 1999, but the appointment of Pilar ...
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Features
Germany: Dawning of the age of equities
The German markets appear to have ditched their reliable and safe image, emerging from 1996 as well-equipped and dynamic enough to cope with the volatile eco-climate
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Features
Swiss scheme goes all domestic
The global custody portfolio of Switzerland’s AHV fund, which services national pension and social payments, is due to be awarded to Swiss Bank Corporation because it has the most competitive rates. At the time of going to press, the contract had not been signed, but both Joseph Hofstetter, manager of ...
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Features
Together but apart
As demands grow for international reach, consultants are organising themselves into networks. John Lappin reports. Multinational companies are increasingly considering the pension needs of employees on an international basis. They look to consultants to provide local knowledge backed by international reach. Many actuarial partnerships have attempted to meet this demand ...
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Features
Funds fight tax cases in US courts
British and Dutch pension funds, most notably PGGM, are involved in litigation in the USA or have cases pending which will clarify their tax status and could bring millions of dollars worth of rebates. The funds hope to claim a rebate on withholding tax from the Internal Revenue Service on ...
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Features
Switzerland: Caution and consolidation are watch words
After market increases of 25% in 1995 and 19% in 1996, Swiss analysts are urging caution. “We advise some hedging of positions after last year,” says Bert Röegsegger, head of research at ATAG Asset Management in Berne, “though we are also advising investors not to sell”. Increased profits for Swiss ...
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Features
Swiss chafe at overseas limit
Swiss pension fund managers who outperformed the Swiss market last year hope to do so again in 1997, but are concerned about prospective levels of returns. The approach will need to be highly selective, says one manager. His favoured stocks are pharmaceuticals and fi-nancials, and he has plans to increase ...
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Features
UK: Discounting the election
The general election’s impact on the markets will be limited but, according to UK analysts, it will mark a dividing line for activity in both the bond and equity markets. Whoever wins will inherit a relatively benign economic picture. At Commerzbank in London, treasurer and deputy general manager Jean-Michael D’Oultremont ...
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Features
Germany: The Frankfurt market
The Frankfurt stock market is represented by the holding company Deutsche Börse AG. It has 250 members and over 75% of German market share and is responsible for the settlement of all exchange transactions in securities and futures in Germany. It operates the only German futures exchange, the Deutsche Terminbörse ...
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Features
In the relationship game
Employers are more concerned with being able to work with consultants than with the cost, writes John Lappin
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Features
Setting a global standard
Thirteen European countries, expanding from a core group of eight, are participating in a project to produce European and global standards for investment performance measurement. The momentum for establishing recognised standards come from different bodies depending on the country, according to Dugald Eadie, chairman of the European Federation of Financial ...
