All Bank of England articles – Page 6
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News
Pension schemes steer clear from selling gilts as rate pain intensifies
Pension funds struggling with low yields have held back from selling long-dated government bonds, causing the Bank of England to miss its gilt buying target on Tuesday.
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Opinion
A cut too far?
Editorial: It was expected, but that makes it no less painful: pension scheme trustees are licking their wounds after the Bank of England decided yesterday that a further cut in the bank rate would help the UK economy back on its feet, together with more quantitative easing.
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News
Hedged Aviva schemes survive rate cut
Pension schemes sponsored by insurance giant Aviva have reported a marked increase in their accounting surplus owing principally to falling interest rates, but experts warn of further pain for schemes which are not hedged against interest rate risk.
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Opinion
Uncomfortable truths? Pensions Institute takes aim at employers
From the blog: It appears another 'unacceptable face of capitalism' was revealed last week, with the Pensions Institute launching an indictment of employers who “milk and dump” their pension schemes.
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Opinion
Primed or prejudiced: Are trustees listening to experts?
Any Other Business: The triumph of instinctive mistrust of immigration over economic rationalisation was at the centre of the UK’s momentous decision to leave the European Union last week.
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OpinionOpportunities, risks and manager selection in fixed income
Fixed Income Live: Five industry experts discuss fixed income investment – the direction of interest rates, where the opportunities lie and how schemes can make sure they get the right manager to profit from them.
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OpinionWaiting for a rate rise can be bad for your health
Why don’t you want to invest in bonds yet? Is it because interest rates are going to rise which will make them cheaper to invest in later?
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NewsLow for longer (but longing for higher) rates
Analysis: The US Federal Reserve’s decision on Wednesday to push rates up may mark the end of an era, but investment experts say UK pension funds should expect little more than a small amount of volatility as a result.
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Opinion
The butterfly effect – How to take cover and control
Chinese equity shocks captured the headlines over the summer but UK pension funds should equip themselves for a deeper period of entrenched low-growth.
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News
How much should you channel members’ ethical views?
Any Other Business:It is natural in a democratic society to expect your voice to be heard. In pension schemes this is channelled through the member-nominated trustee, but when it comes to seeking your members’ views, how much is too much?
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News
How fiduciaries can get a handle on climate change
News analysis: Disclosures on fossil fuel investments by local authority schemes have demonstrated the tension between managing the material risks of climate change and upholding fiduciary duty to members.
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OpinionRising rates: Hope for the best, plan for the worst – don’t press pause
If you are a trustee of a UK final salary pension scheme then you will know that the past eight years have been a long, hard winter of dealing with the inexorable and sustained fall in interest rates and the rising deficits this has caused.
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OpinionWhen the tide goes out…
Editorial: What a fortnight for pension fund investors. As China failed to stem its stock market rout, bourses the world over shed points as concern peaked that the brakes were being put on growth for the economic powerhouse.
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Opinion
What the latest PPF 7800 data means for your scheme
From the blog: The great and the good of the pensions industry might be kicking back on the beach this month but the ongoing challenge of managing scheme liabilities awaits September’s return to reality.
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NewsHow schemes should react to Carney rate rise hint
News analysis: The Bank of England has bolstered expectations of a rate rise by the end of the year and schemes should consider their position ahead of any change, experts have said.
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Opinion
How DB and DC funds can outsmart prolonged low yields
With the UK general election decided in favour of the Conservatives, market attention may return to the prospective path for economic growth, inflation and interest rates.
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OpinionEditorial: Inside the control room
The confirmation last week that we’ve hit a patch of ‘noflation’ – expected to become deflation from this month – did not come as a surprise to many.
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OpinionHow current thinking on interest rates affects DB hedging levels
Derisking and the rise of the secular stagnation thesis – that interest rates might remain depressed as growth rates struggle to gain momentum – contributed to increased hedging activity over the past year.
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Opinion
So, what should pension funds expect from a BoE rate rise?
Editor's comment: The answer may not be as simple as higher rates mean a better times for UK schemes. But it cannot be much worse than the pain of the past few years.
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News
Interest rate uncertainty a concern for employer covenants
Interest rate rises could have a negative effect on covenant strength as some companies are forced to refinance at higher rates, advisers have said, and trustees should keep a watching brief to mitigate any resultant impact on their sponsors' ability to pay scheme contributions.