- Bankpension considers hedge fund debut
- Nordic funds in diversification drive
- Scandinavian firms embrace sustainable i...
- Swedish pension funds regain risk appetite
- AP funds rooted in conflict
- PenSam to make ‘aggressive’ strategic ch...
- Keva reports exceptional returns
- Norway’s global fund firms hedge fund rules
- Keva to take dynamic investment direction
- Sampension mulls manager shake-up
Illustration by Rolf Asymmetric Illustration
AP funds rooted in conflictSweden’s national buffer fund system is under the microscope as the AP funds draw more fire, writes Caroline Liinanki. This time it concerns the number of funds
- Playing the equity market with commodities
Commodity-linked equities have a complicated relationship with commodity prices, and offer a different kind of access, writes Spencer Anderson
- From constant asset allocation to constant risk
Maaike Veen finds out why Nordic pension funds should ‘focus on the constant risk in relation to their liabilities’ and use dynamic allocation strategies
The case for active managementCaroline Liinanki analyses findings from the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global’s active management review
Illustration by Richard Allen
Which asset classes are ripest for the picking?With more room for manoeuvre now that markets have started to recover, Richard Tyszkiewicz investigates how pension funds are using their new-found freedom
- After the rally: opportunities in a challenging environment
Richard Urwin, managing director of BlackRock’s Multi-Asset Solutions group, and Rune Sanbeck, head of the Nordic region at BlackRock, discuss the outlook for 2010
The search for assymetric returnsMaik Rodewald finds out why German investors are turning away from traditional long-only mandates
Illustration by Rolf Asymmetric Illustration
Lobbying for a Nordic solutionProposals to strengthen insurance regulation under a more stringent directive are making the Nordic industry increasingly anxious. Gill Wadsworth investigates
- Länsförsäkringar Liv cleared for demutualisation – but with delay
The path leading up to Swedish Länsförsäkringar Liv’s demutualisation has been littered with controversy. Pirkko Juntunen investigates
- Capturing the opportunity in distressed debt
Is this the right time to consider an allocation to distressed debt? Derek Stewart, a director at Mellon Global Alternative Investments, investigates
- Investing in technology key to meeting investors’ expectations
Universal concern over operational transparency, increasing regulations and cost pressures mean that asset servicers can provide valuable assistance to Nordic institutions, writes Northern Trust’s Mireille Andersson
Illustration by Richard Allen
How to capitalise on second-hand treasuresThe economic turmoil and increasing liquidity needs has led to the emergence of a real estate secondary market. Erik Gunnervall investigates the opportunities
Illustration by Rolf Asymmetric Illustration
Overcoming the risks of exotic forestryWith Nordic investors setting their sights on emerging markets as another forestry investment destination, Spencer Anderson tells of the complexities involved
- Nordic fixed income boost buoys credit market
Nordic pension funds turn to riskier fixed income asset classes to plug funding gaps left by the financial crisis. Gill Wadsworth investigates
Illustration by Richard Allen
Where is the alpha in norm-based screening?Scandinavian investors risk falling behind their European peers, unless they start integrating ESG-related return criteria, writes Gunilla Hjalmarsson
- Technological progress is vital for emerging markets
Aberdeen’s Hugh Young explores technological development through the ages and how it affects the investment prospects in emerging economies
- Understanding the mechanics of fiduciary management
BlackRock’s Michael Marks and Peter Leane investigate what is really behind the much discussed concept of fiduciary management
UK admin firms offshore services to India en masseOutsourcing pensions administration services from the United Kingdom has seemingly taken a back seat to offshoring, writes David Rowley
Finding new assets in a broken marketAfter the choppy waters of recent times, Nordic pension funds are searching for real diversification to lessen risk and raise returns, writes Caroline Liinanki.
- Dutch ABP tunes in to music rights
The relatively inflation-resistant offering of investing in music rights has tempted ABP to test out some true diversification. Hjalmar Tjan investigates.
- The great inflation debate rages amid steep decline
BlackRock’s Peter Leane and Richard Urwin discuss the prospects for global inflation in the wake of the credit crisis.
Asian private equity adapts post-crisisHow can this relatively immature asset class flourish after the downturn? asks Markus Ableitinger.
Building a case for UK class action law suitsLegal nuances in the UK have meant a low take-up of class actions, writes Charlie Kirby. But the crisis is pushing it rapidly up trustees’ agendas
Realigning to emerging marketsAs emerging economies look set to overtake more developed markets, Caroline Liinanki tries to find out what a reasonable allocation should be
- Property shareholders learn from the crisis
A growing number of Nordic pension funds are becoming active shareholders in non-listed real estate assets. Esther Gotink investigates
- Putting pension funds in the dock
Willem Buiter looks at the credit crisis through academic glasses and tells Anke Claassen why pension funds should ‘not allow themselves to become gambling arcades’
Lost in translation?Whether defined as such or not, fiduciary management is operating in many Nordic countries in one form or another.
Hjalmar Tjan investigate
- Examining the case for active fixed income management
Peter Leane, head of the Nordic region at BlackRock, reassesses the argument in favour of active fixed income management
The evolution of quantQuantitative asset management’s mixed success over the last year has spurred some to call for changes to its current structure. Spencer Anderson investigates
llustration by Richard Allen
Mitigating the climate crunchBeyond the battle of the economic downturn is the far less publicised ‘climate crunch’. Terry Coles investigataes ways to make greener investments pay off
Illustration by Simon Pemberton
Hedge fund craving sweeps the NordicsNordic pension funds are still hungry for more hedge fund exposure, but the financial crisis has forced pension funds to reassess their strategies.
Caroline Liinanki investigates- Funds reassess traditional active approach
Nordic pensions funds are reconsidering the type of active approach that has left them wounded from over-exposure to equity markets, writes Gill Wadsworth
The investment crossroadsWith unprecedented market conditions hitting pension funds hard, Spencer Anderson investigates the resulting strategic dilemmas
- Exploring the ‘myths’ of transition management
Confidential in nature, transition management creates the potential for a number of ‘myths’ to arise. BlackRock’s Peter Leane and Peter Walker address some of the more common misconceptions
Safekeeping real estate through knowledgeThe current property market correction means investors focusing on active asset management can flourish. Joakim Nordblad and Andrew Smith investigate
A fitting problemCalls for lower administrative costs and the need to strengthen weak positions in the wake of the global financial crisis have meant mergers are increasingly attractive for Nordic funds.Caroline Liinanki investigates
The true cost of hedgingWith only minor regulatory changes on the cards for hedge funds, a mass exodus of Nordic investors may hit the model, writes Spencer Anderson
- Sustainable alternatives
If an ESG policy is to be coherent, it will eventually have to apply across an investor’s entire portfolio, including alternative investments, writes Martin Steward. But are the relevant questions being seriously formulated yet?
- Staying ahead of the curve to reap high yields
Firms battling to get ahead in 2009 would be well advised to take risks in the high-yield marketplace, writes Andrew Lake, director of high-yield investments at F&C
Hazards hit the path eastwardWhile developed economies are in similarly deep water, the degree of fiscal malady varies across eastern Europe. Karine Hirn and Marcus Svedberg investigate
- Nordic funds look to the fundamentals
Having learnt the lessons of the downturn, Nordic pension funds will embrace transparency and do away with complex vehicles. Caroline Liinanki investigates
- The manager bargain hunt
Private equity buyout managers expect to pick up bargains in the coming months, but timing this market is almost impossible, and tight credit conditions mean picking the best managers is vital, writes Martin Steward
- The rise of ethical engagement
Despite market conditions calling for short-term gains, ESG-minded Nordic pension funds are increasingly outsourcing their active engagement. Hjalmar Tjan investigates.
- Economic crisis 2008: lessons from the fall
BlackRock’s Mark Wiedman, managing director of the financial markets advisory group and Peter Leane, head of the Nordic region, examine the lessons to be learned from the recent market turmoil
- Recession-proof investments that grow on trees
While many asset classes have taken a battering in the global financial downturn, timberland investment still shows growth
- Getting your house in order
Despite setting the gold standard for responsible investment worldwide, the Nordic region is only now looking to apply it to property Caroline Liinanki investigates.
- Avoiding the commodities crash fallout
As interest in commodities sparks in the region, Nordic pension funds are taking different approaches to protect their investments. Caroline Liinanki investigates.
