As 2018 approaches, investors are seeing the familiar rush of reports and predictions about the economic outlook for next year. One of the latest reports comes from BlackRock Inc., which noted the effects of low volatility may persist amid a stable economic backdrop. The report, however, warned that even a small increase in volatility could scare markets as […]
Some $2.5 billion of group annuity purchases were placed during the first three quarters of 2017, in line with the total annual sales for the past few years, according to Willis Towers Watson’s latest report on the Canadian annuity market. The vast majority of year-to-date annuity transactions were for ongoing pension plans, which demonstrates the continued trend […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is investing in Montreal-based Innocap Investment Management Inc. through a share capital purchase and the issuance of a loan. As of Oct. 31, 2017, the financial services firm and its subsidiaries managed US$5.7 billion in assets for institutional investors, financial institutions and fund managers in North America, Europe […]
Quebec-based pension fund Bâtirente is investing $15 million towards the creation of a green bond fund to be set up and managed by its partner AlphaFixe Capital Inc. The deal, which puts five per cent of Bâtirente’s total assets in energy transition, is its second major investment in this field. In 2016, it gave a mandate to AGF Management […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is investing $320 million for a stake in Goodman Hong Kong Logistics Partnership. The partnership, which was founded in 2006, held over $4.7 billion in assets as of Sept. 30. This includes a 50 per cent stake in Hong Kong-based warehouse and distribution development Goodman Interlink, which is co-owned by the CPPIB. […]
Fiera Capital Corp. affiliate Fiera Comox has appointed Patrick Lynch as a partner in its private equity team. Lynch joins Fiera from Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, where he was head of funds and partnerships. Before that, he was head of funds and global investment partnerships at an Abu Dhabi-based sovereign fund. Read: Caisse invests in Canadian […]
Just one-third (32 per cent) of Canadian employers have a formalized wellness program, according to a new survey by the Conference Board of Canada. While workplace wellness initiatives have become more prevalent over the last decade, nearly half (48 per cent) of employers that responded to the survey said they take an informal approach. A further 20 […]
While the majority of employers provide an employee assistance program to employees, very few believe their company’s senior leadership demonstrates a commitment to mental health, according to a new survey by CivicAction. The not-for-profit organization surveyed employers that are using its MindsMatter online assessment, which provides actions and resources to help organizations better support their employees’ mental health. Since […]
Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada is partnering with Medical Confidence Inc. to help Canadian employees navigate the health-care system when they go on disability leave. Beginning in 2018, Medical Confidence’s disability management service will be rolled out to Sun Life’s employer clients. The service provides one-on-one support through a health-care professional, arranges accelerated access to […]
Despite coming improvements to public pension plans, Canada will still be about 10 percentage points behind the average net replacement rate for the typical worker across Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Future OECD average replacement rates for the full-career, average-wage worker will reach 63 per cent, according to the organization’s annual report on pension systems […]