On April 12-14, a group of defined benefit pension plan sponsors, asset managers and academics gathered at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler in British Columbia for the 2023 Global Investment Conference. Over the course of three days, presenters discussed whether the Canadian pension model remains fit for purpose in a period defined by central bank intervention, […]
If Irish economist David McWilliams is to be believed, overconfident fools are tampering with the global economy. “If I were an American, Canadian or — God forbid — a British economist, . . . I’d come here today armed with graphs and charts and all that malarkey,” he said during the keynote session at the […]
“There are 30,000 jets out there flying around right now,” said James McManus, managing director of Alliance Bernstein CarVal, during the Canadian Investment Review‘s 2023 Global Investment Conference. “That represents equipment value of about $700 billion . . . [and] around $100 billion in annual deal flows in the form of new aircraft deliveries, lease […]
“I’m here to convince you that fixed income is back as an attractive asset class,” said Benoit Anne, lead strategist of the investment solutions group at MFS Investment Management, during the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Global Investment Conference. Two major factors mean allocations to fixed income are becoming increasingly attractive, he added. First, the U.S. Federal […]
“There’s a new market regime in 2023,” said Justin Thomson, chief investment officer and head of international equity at T. Rowe Price, during the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Global Investment Conference. “It’s characterized by higher trend inflation, rates normalization, liquidity withdrawals, de-globalization and elevated volatility.” While he said he expects these conditions will encourage equity […]
“Let me start by pointing out the obvious: the last few years have been exhausting,” said Mina Krishnan, multi-asset portfolio manager at Schroders, during a session on regime shifts at the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Global Investment Conference. “We’ve had the [coronavirus] pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis and Brexit.” As a result […]
In December 2021, Simon Fraser University announced the global equity portfolios for its non-pension related funds — valued at $450 million — would divest from fossil fuel producers. Four months later, the three members of its treasury team, which is led by Jacky Shen, treasurer and director of investment at the university, announced it had […]
“Investing in private markets comes with its fair share of challenges,” said Rémi Tétreault, director of client solutions at Trans-Canada Capital, during the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Global Investment Conference. “There’s operational complexity, capital calls and distributions. You’ve got the selection of the right general partners . . . and there’s the challenge of remaining […]
While China’s presence on emerging market indexes may be shrinking, the case for investing in it remains compelling, said Vivian Lin Thurston, a partner and portfolio manager for emerging markets growth at William Blair Investment Management, during a session at the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Global Investment Conference. “China now accounts for approximately 31 per […]
“If it’s in private equity or an alternative asset allocation, it’s a long-term investment strategy,” said Simon Oak, principal at Lexington Partners, during the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Global Investment Conference. “Typically, it’s a five-year investment period followed by five years of harvest. Only then can investors measure their returns.” This causes a problem for […]