All credit risk articles
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NewsConsultants advise asset owners to protect against tail risk
Amid high inflation, market volatility and mounting fears of recession, investment consultants are advising asset owners to consider implementing some form of tail-risk protection, while urging them to first focus on building well-diversified investment portfolios that could protect against downside risks.
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NewsTPR funding statement flags uncertainty impact for valuations
High levels of uncertainty surrounding inflation, interest rates, mortality, energy prices and economic growth will put additional pressure on trustees completing their tranche 17 valuations this year, according to the Pensions Regulator’s annual funding statement.
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OpinionUnprecedented DB scheme funding levels: Is this as good as it gets?
For the first time in nearly two decades, aggregate funding ratios for UK defined benefit schemes are at historic highs.
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NewsBuck launches ‘gap analysis’ governance solution
On the go: Buck has launched a new “gap analysis” governance tool designed to help schemes navigate the Pensions Regulator’s forthcoming combined code of practice.
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OpinionHow to enhance the yield from your scheme’s CDI allocations
Pension schemes grappling with cash flow negativity have continued to focus on implementing cash flow-driven investment strategies to ensure they meet their member promises efficiently and in full.
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NewsDB schemes derisk investments as funding levels improve
On the go: Defined benefit schemes are increasingly looking to derisk their investment approach to protect their improved funding levels, according to new research from Aon.
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OpinionSchemes need to consider illiquids in endgame scenarios
With most defined benefit pension funds having an eye on the ‘endgame’, and for many this ultimately meaning buyout, a wariness towards locking assets up into illiquids that are hard to sell is not surprising.
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NewsOpperman lauds ‘transformational’ climate requirements
Pensions minister Guy Opperman has lauded the government’s “utterly transformational” approach to climate reporting requirements, while promising legislation on “simpler statements” and the “statements season” in the near future.
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NewsPension risk transfer activity expected to increase in H2 2021
Data crunch: Although UK pension schemes have shown a reduced appetite for risk transfers so far this year, there could be a rise in the number of buyout and buy-in deals that will be completed during the second half of 2021.
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NewsBrunel Pension Partnership launches listed markets fund
On the go: The £28bn Brunel Pension Partnership has launched its £2.1bn Sterling Corporate Bond Fund, selecting Royal London Asset Management to handle the assets.
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NewsBrunel Pension Partnership launches multi-asset credit fund
On the go: The £30bn Brunel Pension Partnership has launched a multi-asset credit fund, split across three separate mandates.
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News
HMRC’s leapfrog on insolvencies to hinder PPF recoveries
Government changes to prioritise the payment of insolvent businesses’ tax bills at the expense of other creditors could reduce recoveries by the Pension Protection Fund and adversely impact levy payers, according to the lifeboat.
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News
Credit downgrades pose ‘serious challenge’ for pension schemes
On the go: A decrease in the average credit quality of fixed income indices, coupled with increased competition for high-quality assets, poses significant challenges for pensions schemes, according to Axa Investment Managers.
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News
Market volatility leads to attractive returns in low-risk credit
On the go: Pension schemes should consider adopting high-quality, low-duration credit strategies such as asset-backed securities as an alternative to traditional bond allocations when looking to derisk their portfolios, according to a new report from Aon.
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OpinionInsolvency bill leaves huge questions on interactions with DB schemes
Last month, the government published the corporate insolvency and governance bill, which has been described as the most far-reaching reform to UK insolvency law in the past 30 years.
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News
LGPS returns to drop by almost half in next decade
As the world faces global meltdown and investors are set to receive lower and more volatile returns for the next decade or more, new research suggests that some local authority pension schemes may be overestimating their potential growth.
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News
Schemes set to face UK credit capacity crisis
On the go: With two-thirds of FTSE 350 pension schemes in negative cash flow, fears are mounting that there may not be enough high-quality assets to go around.
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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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OpinionDo not be afraid to say no to weakening covenants in credit
As pension schemes look to derisk their portfolios, many choose to increase an allocation to credit. However, weakening protections in some markets mean a focus on the worst-case scenario may be necessary.
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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.