The most sophisticated institutional investors are trained to avoid trends or frenzies surrounding a strategy, but human nature dictates that even some will experience a certain fear of missing out when it comes to unique investment opportunities. Naomi Denning, a principal in the investment consulting practice at Eckler Ltd. says a case of “FOMO” may […]
As private market assets become more widely adopted by institutional investors, they open up new, unexpected opportunities. Tom Keenleyside, associate director of investments at Western University, is ready to meet the moment. “We are in the process of scaling up; I think private market investments have become more mainstream among institutional investors. . . . […]
Canadian equities played a role in strengthening the resiliency of institutional investors’ portfolios amid a volatile 2025, says Garey Aitken, managing director and head of Canadian equities at Franklin Templeton’s ClearBridge Investments. Indeed, Canadian equities provided a welcome surprised with overperformance, a consistent reason for positive results in pension index reports throughout the year. “Not […]
The chair of the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board wants to ensure institutional investors are well represented at the discussion table when shaping voluntary climate disclosure metrics for Canadian businesses. “Since I joined — before we even started an outreach strategy — many institutional investors reached out and wanted to meet with me and understand what […]
Fidelity Canada’s financial wellness program was recognized during Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards for its ‘no strings attached’ approach to contributions in employees’ group registered retirement savings plans. The financial services firm earned the recognition for easing employees’ retirement stresses by contributing to all eligible full- and part-time workers’ group RRSPs without requiring employees […]
Arc’teryx Equipment was recognized with the Benefits Plan Communications award at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards for its engaging year-round and technology-savvy benefits reminders to employees. “We have learned that [our] how-to videos with fewer words and more graphics or modern technology resonates better with our groups,” said Mikkaela Fernandez (pictured left), the outerwear […]
Canadian companies are falling behind in their competitiveness by not preparing credible climate transition plans, according to a new report from Business Future Pathways. The inaugural report from a new working group, with leading Canadian pension fund representatives, found corporate transition plans can help businesses prepare for climate disruptions but aren’t being developed and published. […]
If U.S. securities authorities change the long-established financial reporting requirements for companies, it could bring the due diligence process for public companies closer to private firms, says Level Chan, a partner at Stewart McKelvey. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the need for companies to report financials on a quarterly basis and […]
Not everyone can say they’ve spent two decades at the same organization, but Candy Wong, portfolio manager of external managers and international strategies at Manitoba’s Civil Service Superannuation Board, is now in her 21st year at the public sector pension plan. “I don’t think you can foresee where you’re going to be, especially in finance. […]
A disconnect between how governments and pension funds conduct business could delay capital allocations to urgent infrastructure projects, says Sebastien Betermier, associate professor of finance at the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University. “Our own funds have been very active, but most of our infrastructure assets here in Canada, governments own most of them, […]