November 2024
13Nov

Danish pension fund pushes for Japan, Korea to abandon coal

PensionDanmark, Denmark’s $51 billion pension fund, is calling on Japan and South Korea to completely wean themselves off coal-generated power by 2030. “We have decided not to finance new coal power planned after 2023 anywhere in the world," Jan Kæraa Rasmussen, head of ESG and sustainability at PensionDanmark told AsianInvestor. "Our ask for utilities in developed countries, including in Japan and South Korea, is that they present comprehensive plans to phase out coal as soon as possible. And that should be closer...

November 13, 2024
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12Nov

APG, AIA Thailand turn climate risk into investment opportunity

Two major asset owners discuss how they are deploying capital across the region and targeting sustainable investments in forestry, infrastructure, and green energy. For the nearly $600 billion Dutch pension fund investor, sustainable investment isn't just about ticking boxes – it's about wielding their considerable investment capital to address real-world climate and biodiversity challenges while delivering strong returns, according to Eric van der Maarel, chief executive officer of APG Asset Management’s Singapore office. "Allocating to megatrends with clear sustainability goals is...

November 12, 2024
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07Nov

How AI could help modernize pension and retirement systems

The world is going through a seismic demographic transition, as populations age and traditional workforces shrink, prompting challenges for retirement systems that need to adapt to remain resilient. AI may be able to assist, by helping individuals make better decisions about their own retirement and by helping invest retirement assets. Given the importance of retirement, embedding trust into our AI systems is essential before they are deployed to the retirement business. Lifespans and the cost of living are rising...

November 7, 2024
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07Nov

The evolving climate change investing strategies of asset owners

Asset owners who control substantial capital in the financial system through pension funds, endowments, foundations, and individual holdings can play a crucial role in driving investments in climate change mitigation, according to a new Yale School of the Environment study. The study, led by Emil Moldovan ’24 MESc, found that owners of large asset portfolios are recognizing the need to consider the environmental impacts of  investment decisions and aligning portfolio goals with global efforts to limit climate change. However, perceived...

November 7, 2024
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06Nov

Top Global Pension Funds Allocated $708bn to Private Equity

Global pension funds continue to increase their allocation to private equity, with the top 20 global pension funds with the largest dollar allocation to private equity devoting a total of $707.6 billion to the asset class so far in 2024. S&P Global Market Intelligence data revealed that the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has the largest allocation at $143.9 billion, representing more than 24% of its total assets. This was followed by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System with a $83.5...

November 6, 2024
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06Nov

First UK pension scheme dives into Bitcoin, but don’t expect a stampede

The first UK pension fund has invested in Bitcoin according to the pension specialists Cartwright with the scheme reportedly allocating 3% of its assets to the cryptocurrency. Laith Khalaf, head of investment analysis at AJ Bell, comments: “It was only a matter of time before a UK pension scheme bought into Bitcoin, but this isn’t likely to spark a stampede into the asset class. Bitcoin is notoriously volatile, and pension scheme trustees are just as notoriously risk averse. Why wouldn’t you be when...

November 6, 2024
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October 2024
31Oct

Pensions Minister set out Government’s objectives to boost UK investment and improve saver returns

In a keynote speech at a recent pensions conference, Emma Reynolds set out two key objectives: to improve the level of pension fund investment in the UK economy and to improve savers’ returns. Notable points in the speech to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s annual conference included: Building on the Mansion House Compact and confirming an interim report on the first phase of the government’s Pensions Review would be published before Christmas, with a final report next year. Commenting...

October 31, 2024
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28Oct

BlackRock wants to talk about retirement. Climate, not so much

More than two years after BlackRock ran into a buzz saw of criticism from US conservatives over its advocacy for sustainable investing, the world’s largest money manager is attempting to change the subject. Chief executive Larry Fink has not used the word “climate” on an analyst call since January, and he mentioned climate, sustainability or the word green just eight times — out of 11,000 words — in his closely watched annual letter in March. These days, the $11.5tn asset...

October 28, 2024
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24Oct

What a Rapidly Aging World Population Means for Your Long-Term Portfolio

Global demographics are undergoing a profound transformation. As life expectancies grow and birth rates decline in many parts of the world, the proportion of the elderly population is increasing at an unprecedented rate. The World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts that by 2030, 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. In 2030, the share of the global population aged 60 years and over will have increased from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion...

October 24, 2024
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15Oct

UK. Govt launches National Wealth Fund to drive pension fund investment

The government has officially launched the National Wealth Fund and announced reforms to other public institutions to encourage additional pension fund investment into high-growth UK companies. The UK Infrastructure Bank is to be overhauled and rebranded as the National Wealth Fund. The announcement was made by chancellor Rachel Reeves at the government’s International Investment Summit in London yesterday (14 October). The fund is to receive £27.8bn and an expanded investment remit to support the government’s new industrial strategy, also announced yesterday. Its remit...

October 15, 2024
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