All EPIC Investment Partners articles
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Features
Alternative risk premium funds fail to deliver on promises in testing 2018
Analysis: Pension schemes continue to pour assets into fast-growing alternative risk premium strategies, despite a torrid 2018 for returns and concerns over the diversification benefits delivered by the funds.
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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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FeaturesIslington scheme to wind down carbon investment
The London Borough of Islington Pension Fund has agreed to reduce its investment in fossil fuels, following lobbying efforts from local environmental activist group Fossil Free Islington.
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OpinionRoundtable: How are fixed income strategies adapting?
Central bank policy has turned a major corner, and many fixed income markets are looking increasingly expensive - six experts share their insights on how pension scheme strategies should adapt.
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Opinion
Roundtable: How should schemes pick fixed income managers?
Fixed income markets do not present as obvious a case for passive management as equities, but how should schemes evaluate manager skill? PGIM’s Edward Farley, Barnett Waddingham’s Sophia Heathcoat, MJ Hudson Allenbridge’s Anthony Fletcher, Independent Trustee Services’ Dinesh Visavadia, Bestrustees’ Graham Wardle and independent trustee Alexandra Martinez discuss.
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Opinion
Roundtable: Where does value lie in fixed income markets?
In an increasingly uncertain and somewhat expensive environment for fixed income, which products and asset classes represent the best value for pension schemes? PGIM’s Edward Farley, Barnett Waddingham’s Sophia Heathcoat, MJ Hudson Allenbridge’s Anthony Fletcher, Independent Trustee Services’ Dinesh Visavadia, Bestrustees’ Graham Wardle and independent trustee Alexandra Martinez discuss.
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Opinion
Roundtable: How can schemes prepare for uncertainty in fixed income?
What does the end of an unprecedented era of quantitative easing have in store for interest rates, and how should increasingly mature defined benefit schemes adapt? PGIM’s Edward Farley, Barnett Waddingham’s Sophia Heathcoat, MJ Hudson Allenbridge’s Anthony Fletcher, Independent Trustee Services’ Dinesh Visavadia, Bestrustees’ Graham Wardle and independent trustee Alexandra Martinez discuss.
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News
Councils fear loss of control under London CIV proposals
The London Collective Investment Vehicle has announced a number of upgrades to its governance structures in response to personnel changes, but local authority participants still have fundamental concerns about how investing in the pool will work.
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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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FeaturesSuffolk scheme fills gaps with greenfield infra
The Suffolk Pension Fund has added to its alternatives allocation, including a commitment to illiquid credit and an investment in a greenfield infrastructure fund, as experts have highlighted the importance of good governance when investing in illiquids.
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OpinionFossil fuels: To divest or not to divest?
In October 2015, the Financial Times reported that “nearly a billion dollars has been wiped off the value of coal investments by UK public pension funds over the past 18 months”.
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News
LGPS pooling puts in-house investment in the spotlight
News Analysis: Local authority pension fund pooling activity is gathering pace ahead of an upcoming government consultation on criteria for cutting costs, bringing with it a push towards greater in-house investment capability.
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News
What to consider before buying in-house skills
As pension schemes have become larger, more are thinking about how to cut out the middleman and hire internal specialists to handle their assets. But getting, and keeping, your own investment staff is by no means always straightforward.
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NewsEMD: Good diversifier or not the right time?
News Analysis: Nest’s recent move into emerging market debt could signal an opportunity for other schemes following the summer sell-offs, but advisers have warned that choosing the right countries and managers is critical.
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News
Wandsworth eyes private rents as London CIV preps for launch
Wandsworth Borough Council is considering an allocation to the private rented sector to capitalise on a “unique opportunity”, but is wary that hidden costs or changes to regulation could render the investment unviable.
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Features
Tyne and Wear switches PE benchmark to limit relative volatility
Tyne and Wear Pension Fund has switched to using an absolute return benchmark for its private equity investments in a bid to reduce the relative volatility of returns.
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News
Railpen chief's fees comments trigger transparency calls
Industry figures have called for more transparency around charges from asset managers after Railpen Investments said upfront fees were as little as a fifth of its total fees paid.
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News
Saul: convertibles could spread as schemes look to reduce volatility
Saul's outgoing chief executive has predicted that its use of convertible bonds to dampen pension fund volatility could catch on at other schemes, but some advisers remain sceptical of the benefits offered.
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Features
Bromley mulls 10% illiquids allocation as cash flow worsens
The London Borough of Bromley Pension Fund is considering a 10 per cent allocation to illiquid assets to provide greater returns and inflation linkage, in expectation of turning cash-flow negative within seven years.
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Features
Isle of Wight fund mulls ethical investment policy after council reclaims public health role
Isle of Wight Pension Fund is considering setting its own policy on social, environmental and ethical factors to be considered when making investment decisions, after the council took back responsibility for public health.