While many plan sponsors have adapted to dramatic interest rate swings by strategically hedging their liability interest rate risk, some balk when interest rates are low. But failing to hedge long-duration liabilities with long-duration assets can expose sponsors to significant downside risk.
November 2019
In 2019, returns were driven less by what went right than by what did not go wrong. We highlight ten themes for 2020, with a focus on key macro questions, emerging opportunities, and risks.
November 2019
A universal approach to portfolio construction can help schemes achieve required return targets whilst adding additional upside from alpha generation; reduce risk through true diversification; and generate sufficient income to comfortably meet both planned and unplanned cashflow needs.
November 2019
As economic growth slows, manufacturing contracts, and major central banks start to ease monetary policy anew, investors need to consider what policy options the world has left in the event this slowdown becomes a recession. In this edition of VantagePoint, we look to the 1930s for some answers, while realizing that intervening changes to the global financial system rule out an exact repeat of that period.
October 2019
No, sterling-based investors should not change their currency hedge ratios or their allocations to sterling-denominated assets based on potential Brexit outcomes.
September 2019
Elevated equity market valuations and potentially rising bond yields suggest the return environment for traditional risk assets could be difficult. Faced with this challenge, institutional investors are seeking alternative sources of return. Alternative risk premia (ARP) strategies—which harvest well-established risk premia and market anomalies across asset classes—may fit the bill. ARP strategies have exhibited low […]
September 2019
Community foundation assets have grown steadily over the years, accumulating a mix of endowment funds and funds with more expedient spend-down expectations. With the right expertise and attention, the endowment model can be applied to these complex, dynamic assets to differentiate the foundation and deliver on its mission.
August 2019
A number of UK defined benefit pension schemes have experienced significant funding level gains in recent years, driven by sponsor contributions, liability management exercises, and strong equity market returns. However, due to increased volatility in global equity markets, relatively high valuations in many market segments, and the late stages of the economic and credit cycles, optimising the scheme’s growth engine is more challenging than ever. This paper provides a framework for how to achieve that goal.
August 2019