Latest from IPE Magazine – Page 502
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Features
Return of the absolute
Swedish managers are coming to terms with the new environment. Barbara Ottawa reports
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Features
Danes ready for next challenges
The Danish open door policy ensures a competitive environment for managers. George Coats reports
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Special Report
Making a beeline for activist hedge funds
The activities of activist funds in targeting companies that have become national champions have caused political apoplexy throughout Europe, with ministers wagging their fingers at pension funds and warning them to have nothing to do with predatory private equity companies and hedge funds. But pension funds are encouraged to diversify into alternative investments and become active owners of the companies they invest in. So what should they do?
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Features
Securities show Swift growth
Securities and securities related payments traffic sent over the Swift network now represent 45% of volumes, making the securities industry the fastest growing sector of the Brussels-based financial messaging co-operative. As a result, securities issues are high on the agenda during Swift’s annual conference, Sibos, attended by nearly 5,000 people ...
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Features
Flat period for FoFs
The Eurekahedge fund of funds index was virtually flat in September (+0.02% returns). But there was a major hedge-fund-industry-specific market event during the month: Amaranth Advisors, a $10bn (€7.9bn) Connecticut-based multi-strategy fund, lost 35% of its assets in natural gas positions (natural gas prices fell over 30% during the month) ...
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Features
Using as many alpha sources as you can
Knut Kjaer explains why the giant Norwegian global fund takes as many independent bets as possible to David White
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Features
Alternatives receive enthusiastic response
While Sweden is particularly experienced in hedge fund investments, Norway and Finland are renowned for their private equity acumen, as Gail Moss reports
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Features
Norway anticipates wave of low cost plans
Most new pension plans in Norway are likely to be DC products rather than the DB schemes traditionally favoured. Caspar Holter reports
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Features
Contradictions at heart of IFRS
Are the IFRS at odds with the Solvency II recommendations on good risk management practices in insurance companies, Philippe Foulquier asks
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Features
Hitting the ceiling
Lithuania after much delay implemented its successful pensions system in 2004. Now the debate is where to go from here, as George Coats reports
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Special Report
Dedicated to SRI - profits or not
IPE asked three pension funds – in Belgium, Denmark and Austria – the same question: ‘Do you do SRI and if so how and does it give a good return?’ Here are their answers:
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Features
Rise and rise of private equity fees
Partnership structures fees and other compensation systems may have to be reviewed given the rapid expansion of private equity in recent years. John Barber reports
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Features
Euro-swapping to be optimised
Swedish insurers can benchmark more effectively by using euro swaps, argue Mark van Maaren and Jan-Willem Wijkmans
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Features
Swiss learn to love alternatives
The pension funds in Switzerland have overcome their natural reserve and are taking to the new opportunities – still with some reservations, says Gail Moss
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Features
The politics of portability
At a recent EPPF meeting, the EC’s portability proposals drew fire from almost all quarters, Daniel Brooksbank reports
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Features
Encompassing a multitude
To regard EMD as a single asset class is wrong, particularly now the rise of local currency debt is now such a major factor when investing. Joseph Mariathasan reports
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Features
Factoring ageing into pensions
Pension funds have already taken account of the problems of ageing, according to the Netherlands’ largest pension fund. Yet policymakers are arguing for later retirement or taxes on pensioners. Leen Preesman reports on the growing controversy
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Features
Taking different approaches to the management of assets
Large Dutch pension funds are more active on financial markets in managing their financial position, whereas smaller institutions and company-linked funds are more likely to adjust the level of pension contributions to prevent under funding, Jan Kakes reveals
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Features
Time to call in the professionals
The Bureau Bosch survey of Dutch investment managers reveals a dramatic move towards the external management of pension funds assets, largely as a result of the new financial assessment framework. Frits Bosch analyses the findings of the survey
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Features
Co-operation is the way forward
As accounting rules tighten, more legislation is introduced and investment becomes more complex, a growing number of Dutch pension funds are contracting out their asset management and administration. Two leading providers of pension fund management services – Cordares and Mn Services – have responded to these developments by pooling their expertise. Leen Preesman and David White talk to the architects of this alliance
