Alpha top of the agenda in climate investing
Climate investing is here to stay, Robeco says – but while the direction remains the same, “the pace is changing”. Asset owners want decarbonisation, but they want alpha too.
Why asset owners should dare to rethink renewables investment execution
When the government’s intervention in the local energy market leads to reduced supply, that’s the time to invest rather than to draw back, the Fiduciary Investors Symposium has heard. Asset owners at the symposium were also told that they might need to ‘have a little bit of a look’ at how they execute in the renewables market to make sure they’ve got it the right way around.
Retirement can’t be solved with investments alone
If the investment team operates in isolation of all the other teams that play a part in meeting a fund’s Retirement Income Covenant obligations, it’s a recipe for failure, according to a panel at the Fiduciary Investors Symposium.
Value investors pivot to global markets amid America’s AI euphoria
Barrow Hanley is cutting exposure to US markets where valuations have become increasingly stretched despite strong company fundamentals and switching into Europe, Japan and emerging markets. The manager warned that AI’s ability to be monetised is still “an unproven bet”.
Actuaries pinpoint ‘guidance’ as key to retirement advice reform
The Actuaries Institute has urged the government to get on with the job of finishing its Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms and move on to the introduction of “guidance” as a bridge for super funds to use between fact- or information-based help and full-blown financial advice.
Meaningful simplicity is the key to empowering retirees
Designing the retirement experience to meet the real needs of members requires collaboration across the ecosystem, and focusing on meaningful simplicity will provide many Australians with clear pathways to the dignified retirement they deserve. That means making every choice as straightforward as possible and supporting members at each step.
Super funds must strike ‘balancing act’ on private markets: ASIC
Super fund investments in private markets have helped members and the Australian economy, but they must keep working to balance their need for diversification and performance with any “heightened risk”, according to a long-awaited ASIC report into the sector.
Asset owners weigh stranded asset risk in data centres
As the AI boom finds its way out of asset owners’ equity exposures and into their real asset portfolios, they need to keep a close eye on the rate of technological change to make sure they don’t get left behind.
Instability revives asset owner interest in hedge funds
As volatility tests traditional portfolios, asset owners are rediscovering hedge funds despite some roadblocks. But they need to be aware of both what they own and why they own it.
Tariffs, government debt no hurdle for markets: PGIM
Rather than the typical short, sharp surge in bond prices resulting from recession, this time will be different: a prolonged moderate return bull market against a backdrop of mild growth and slowly decelerating inflation, PGIM’s Robert Tipp told the Fiduciary Investors Symposium.
Mercer Super eyes more mergers to break into top five funds
The $85 billion Mercer Super is looking to grow through acquisitions, and CIO Graeme Miller says the fund has both the “balance sheet and track record” to follow through on that aspiration.
Norway pips Australia for most transparent pension fund
The $400 billion AustralianSuper has been named most transparent super fund in Australia and the fourth in the overall Global Pension Transparency Benchmark ranking, scoring 93 out of 100. But on a five-year basis, Australian Retirement Trust saw the biggest score uplift as its merger prompted the creation of more rigorous public reporting standards.
