The majority of global pension plans believe the rise of passive investment funds is a foundational change in how they now manage their portfolios, recognizing that both active and passive allocations are necessary, according to a 2018 survey by British firm CREATE-Research. Faced with this trend, the financial services industry must demonstrate the benefits of […]
While an increasingly aging society will certainly affect the future of retirement savings and health care in Canada, this growing demographic shift may also offer an opportunity for institutional investors. “Within a decade or two, the largest single household cohort will be seniors,” says James McKellar, director of the Brookfield Centre in Real Estate and […]
The market value of assets held by Canadian trusteed pension funds grew 0.6 per cent between the first and second quarters of 2018, according to data from Statistics Canada. Investments in real estate saw the largest increase in the second quarter, up 2.5 per cent to $186.7 billion, and investments in mortgages saw the largest decline, down 13.9 per […]
Global asset manager MFS Investment Management has appointed Edward M. Maloney as chief investment officer, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Maloney will succeed Michael Roberge, who will continue at MFS as chief executive officer. In the new role, Maloney will lead a team of more than 200 global investment professionals and oversee investment research, portfolio management, trading and […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is entering into a strategic partnership with Mila, the province’s artificial intelligence institute, to support and accelerate the development of AI in Quebec. Mila will set up the new Axe IA in the O Mile-Ex complex in Montreal. The projects chosen to be housed there will have to demonstrate their potential for […]
An animal welfare charity is facing legal action from a former employee who says he was fired after raising concerns about the organization’s pension investments and its links to companies that engage in animal testing. Jordi Casamitjana alleges the League Against Cruel Sports, a British charity that campaigns against activities like dog fighting and hunting, […]
Emerging market equities are expected to show the heftiest returns in 2019, underpinned by a stronger economic background, said William Yun, executive vice-president at Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions, at an event in Toronto on Tuesday. While the asset class is still muted compared to returns 20 years ago, the investment firm is working with the forward-looking outlook that emerging market […]
While many investors expect the U.S. bull market to end in 2019, some institutional investors are planning changes to their allocation strategy or return assumptions, according to a new survey by Natixis Investment Managers. The survey found about two-thirds of institutional investors expect the U.S. bull market to end in 2019, while 70 per cent […]
Mercer has completed the previously announced acquisition of Pavilion Financial Corp.’s investment consulting, alternatives consulting and wealth management operations. “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Pavilion to the Mercer family,” said Jean-Philippe Provost, senior partner and wealth business leader at Mercer Canada, in a press release. The deal will expand Mercer’s tools, research and investment programs, he said. ”Adding [Pavilion’s] strengths […]
Capital allocated to sustainable, responsible and impact investing now accounts for around a quarter of total assets under professional management in the U.S., according to a new survey by the US SIF Foundation. In 2018, that represented US$12 trillion, a 38 per cent increase on US$8.7 trillion in 2016, which has been largely driven by asset managers. […]