While active managers outperform in some situations and not in others, when using active management, what characteristics can pension plans look for to stay on the outperforming side of the equation? Using an “active investing triad” — be patient, be different and be aligned — can help find managers that outperform, said Douglas Schein, managing […]
In an increasingly challenging investment and regulatory environment, many pension plans are looking to a new model, delegating key investment management and service activities to third-party providers, said Ivor Krol, vice-president and lead of the institutional portfolio solutions group at Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management. Speaking at the 2018 Defined Benefit Investment Forum in […]
Goldman Sachs Asset Management is acquiring U.S.-based Rocaton Investment Advisors in an effort to expand its retirement and advisory platform. With more than $600 billion assets under advisement, Rocaton offers services to institutional clients including retirement plans. Its team will continue to be headquartered in Norwalk, Conn. following the transaction closure in the first half of 2019. Read: Hub […]
Willis Towers Watson is acquiring Canadian investment manager Integra Capital Ltd. Following the acquisition, Integra will function as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Willis Towers Watson and will have responsibility over the firm’s Canadian delegated investment business. “We’re very excited to acquire Integra, especially given our successful partnership with them over the past three years,” said Kemp Ross, […]
The basic advantages of passive investing are clear: it typically leads to lower fees, it reduces the chance of serious underperformance and investments are normally quite liquid, said Kurt Umbarger at the 2018 Defined Contribution Investment Forum in September. Of course, there are potential disadvantages, he acknowledged during his presentation at the event in Toronto. […]
Almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of global institutional investors expect new technologies to reshape the industry by 2025, according to a new survey by Fidelity Investments Inc. The survey, which polled more than 900 institutional investors in 25 countries, found 80 per cent of respondents expect blockchain and related technologies to fundamentally change the industry, while 62 per cent […]
At 89 per cent, continental Europe has the most asset managers that are signatories of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, according to a new survey by Russell Investments. While the majority of managers surveyed are UNPRI signatories, participation varies significantly by region. Asia, excluding Japan, has no signatories, while 70 per cent of Japanese asset managers are signatories. […]
Aon has developed a ratings system to more closely scrutinize how fund managers integrate environmental, social and governance issues into their investment strategies. The system begins with a proprietary questionnaire, followed by an examination of the manager’s responsible investing policy, should one exist, as well as its active ownership actions, stewardship policies and its ability to demonstrate how it’s previously applied the […]
T. Rowe Price Group Inc. has appointed Lauren Bloom as head of defined contribution sales and intermediaries in Canada. Based out of Toronto, Bloom will lead sales and services for the company’s Canadian defined contribution and intermediary channels, promoting its investment offerings. Prior to this position, Bloom held a number of roles at CI Investments Inc., including vice-president […]
Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group Ltd. is forming Vergent Asset Management, an investment manager that will focus on frontier and emerging markets. Founded by managing partners Ali Al Nasser and Nemer Bechara, the investment team will be led by Nasser, who has 15 years of experience managing institutional capital across frontier markets. “We are pleased to […]