All Bank of England articles – Page 5
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NewsCould FSCS cope with a major bulk annuity provider default?
As sponsors offload their pension schemes to insurers, industry experts fear that an ever-increasing concentration of assets with a small group of players could lead to compensation schemes being overwhelmed in a major downturn.
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Switch to index-linked gilts could boost DB pensions and save billions
On the go: A rebalancing by the government from fixed interest to index-linked gilts could provide additional security for pension schemes and their members while saving taxpayers billions, according to analysis by LCP partner Jonathan Camfield.
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OpinionMaking your pension scheme investments count
Mark Carney made a bleak assessment of the state of the world in his recent BBC Reith Lectures.
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Schemes should not ‘mindlessly chase’ illiquidity premium
On the go: The chief investment officer of the £19bn Local Pensions Partnership has criticised asset managers promising unrealistic returns from illiquid assets, arguing that they no longer provide the same premium they once did.
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OpinionPension funds face a dilemma if negative rates materialise
The spectre of negative rates is not a new one for trustees of UK pension funds. Real interest rates, which are returns adjusted for inflation and represent growth or loss in purchasing power, have long been mired well below zero.
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NewsBoE governor reignites row between superfunds, insurers and regulators
In an intervention which laid bare a deep divide both in the industry and between regulators, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has reignited a long-running feud between traditional insurers and advocates of new superfund models, while casting doubt on the Pensions Regulator’s ability to oversee consolidators.
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Dormant pots to exceed 20m in 2020 due to Covid-19
On the go: The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the UK labour market will cause a 32 per cent increase in the number of dormant pension pots in 2020, according to new research.
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News
BoE’s return to QE adds to DB woes
On the go: The Bank of England has cut its base rate to a historic low of 0.1 per cent, while announcing plans to increase its balance sheet of bonds by £200bn.
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BoE adds to DB woes as stimulus struggles to ease covenant strain
On the go: The Bank of England's decision to slash its base interest rate to 0.25 from per cent 0.75 per cent will swell defined benefit liabilities, according to experts, who doubt the ability of monetary policy to ease covenant concerns but say Budget measures may offer some help.
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BoE highlights systemic risk of funds’ use of leveraged loans
On the go: Pension fund liability-driven investing techniques are among the systemic risks to the UK’s financial system highlighted by the Bank of England in a new report.
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FeaturesMcKibben: Smart money leaves fossil fuels well alone
How do you change the world? This singular question has occupied Bill McKibben his entire career, and he has no intention of stopping anytime soon.
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OpinionHow to beat volatility in 2019
With an eye purely on the numbers, it might be tough to pinpoint exactly what has led to the worst year for stock markets since the end of the global financial crisis.
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Opinion
Should shareholder distribution take a back seat to deficits?
Chris Sier is halfway through an imperious display at day one of the Work and Pensions Committee’s inquiry into pensions cost transparency.
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FeaturesEnfield cuts equities for MAC following review
The Enfield Pension Fund’s policy and investment committee has agreed to move £50m into multi-asset credit from equities, following a comprehensive review of its fixed income portfolio with its investment adviser.
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Bank of England raises base rate to 0.75%
The Bank of England has raised its base interest rate to 0.75 per cent, its highest level since February 2009.
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NewsGina Miller: Brexit could change retirement attitudes
Economic turmoil induced by the UK’s exit from the EU might tempt savers to draw from their retirement pots sooner, according to Gina Miller, founding partner at wealth manager SCM Direct.
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Share prices hit by DB deficits could spur fresh derisking drive
Defined benefit pension deficits are dragging down the market capitalisations of FTSE 100 companies, according to a recent study, as investors recognise the difference between disclosed deficits and the cost of securing benefits upon insolvency.
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Rising gilt yields: Inflationary worry or time to buy?
Recent weeks have seen 10-year gilt yields reach 1.16 per cent, their highest level in four months, in a sign inflation is creeping up in the UK economy.
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OpinionAre interest rates too low to hedge?
If there is one topic that is being discussed repeatedly at defined benefit pension scheme trustee meetings, it is the impact of falling gilt yields.
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Opinion
Keep calm and monitor your covenant
Editorial: The Bank of England failed to buy the targeted amount of long-dated gilts on Tuesday, and according to consultancy Hymans Robertson, low yields have now pushed DB deficits to £1tn.