All Bfinance articles
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NewsThe metrics of a sustainable future
As the pivot towards net zero intensifies, the need for schemes to assess sustainable investment opportunities through data and metrics is rapidly growing in importance.
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FeaturesOne in three schemes set climate risk reduction targets
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, with an ACA survey finding that a third of pension schemes have already set targets to reduce climate risk, and asset management fees falling in some ESG and impact strategy types.
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NewsHymans Robertson joins impact investing community
On the go: Hymans Robertson has announced that it has joined the impact investing community, Pensions for Purpose.
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NewsNorfolk Council scheme extends investment consultancy framework
On the go: Norfolk County Council, acting on behalf of its own circa £3.6bn pension fund and a number of other UK Local Government Pension Schemes, has announced an extension to the duration of the National LGPS investment consultancy framework as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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NewsDemand for punchier real estate debt strategies on the rise
On the go: Demand for punchier real estate debt strategies among Bfinance’s international institutional client base grew significantly in 2020 and remained strong in 2021.
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News
Guide launched to assess investment consultants’ climate competence
On the go: The Investment Consultants Sustainability Working Group has launched a guide to help trustees in assessing their investment consultants on climate competency.
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News
Implementation hurdles in opportunistic strategies
On the go: The coronavirus crisis presents a number of opportunities for savvy investors, but schemes should be wary of inflated estimates of return, according to a new report from Bfinance.
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FeaturesUSS targets steady returns with KCom investment
The actions of bellwether schemes like the £64bn Universities Superannuation Scheme are always closely watched, but scrutiny on USS is particularly acute after widespread strike action last year. Last month, the UK’s largest private plan agreed a £504m cash takeover of telecoms business KCom.
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Features
Private debt inflows continue as storm clouds gather
Data crunch: Patrick Marshall is worried about the prospects for the private debt sector. The direct lending veteran and head of private debt at Hermes Investment Management says the possibility of markets coming back down to earth could leave some of his peers, and by extension the reputation of the industry, facing serious damage.
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Features
Data Crunch: Rush of pension capital into infrastructure continues
Pension money is pouring into infrastructure. Portfolio analysis by Pensions Expert’s sister title Mandatewire reveals that the cash-generative asset is proving the perfect fit for mature defined benefit schemes, despite buyout looming for some trustees.
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OpinionHow is UK schemes' appetite for private market assets changing?
Pension fund demand for private market investments, which surged through the post-global financial crisis period, does not appear to have declined during the later phase of the market cycle, according to recent bfinance asset owner research.
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NewsBritish Coal scheme taps into UK infrastructure
The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme has introduced a new allocation to UK infrastructure and increased its exposure to private debt, as part of its focus on assets that provide diversification, good return prospects and high cash yields.
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Features
How will scheme exposure to real estate evolve post-Brexit?
Brexit Day is looming, but nobody really seems sure about what the outcome might be, and how the UK is going to get there.
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FeaturesNilgosc makes inroads into infrastructure funds
The Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee has pledged millions in infrastructure investment in the past 12 months, and is now turning to review opportunities in absolute return bonds and multi-asset credit.
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Opinion
Is ESG on course to become the norm in DC defaults?
Late last year the UK government said it was “minded” to make pension fund trustees produce environmental, social and governance statements.
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Opinion
Is ESG on course to become the norm in DC defaults?
High profile corporate governance failures, campaigns against the use of plastics, and US pension funds criticised for holding gun manufacturers after the latest school shooting – a powerful combination of recent events has pushed environmental, social and governance investing further up the institutional agenda.
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FeaturesShipbuilding scheme latest to invest in private debt
The Shipbuilding Industries Pension Scheme has made a £50m commitment to private debt, as investors increase their exposure to this asset class in the search for yield.
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News
Consultants commit to flagging ESG factors
Sixteen investment consultancy firms have said that they will seek to ensure that pension schemes take into account environmental, social and governance factors where they are financially material.
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Opinion
Uncharted waters: What lies ahead for LGPS pools?
When former chancellor George Osborne made clear the government’s intention to create six British wealth funds, the prospect of pooling made quite a splash.
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OpinionMulti-asset credit: The moment of truth?
Three years ago there was a wave of investment in multi-asset credit strategies. Not to be confused with absolute return or unconstrained funds, MAC products were marketed with a yield-boosting agenda and an eye towards upcoming rises in interest rates.