All Standard Life Investments articles

  • News

    Now Pensions default struggles as industry lacks standardisation

    2018-04-25T00:00:00Z

    Now Pensions has the worst performing default fund of any major defined contribution provider, according to a new report by product review company Defaqto.

  • News

    Now Pensions bottom of default fund league tables

    2018-04-24T00:00:00Z

    Now Pensions has the worst performing default fund of any major defined contribution provider, according to a new report by product review company Defaqto.

  • News

    Carillion divestor considered lawsuit over reporting

    2018-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Shareholders of the failed outsourcer Carillion had concerns about the business’ strength as early as 2015, according to a select committee inquiry into its collapse, raising questions about the transparency of the group’s financial reporting.

  • Illustration by Ben Jennings
    Opinion

    Managers consolidate faster

    2017-09-01T00:00:00Z

    Editorial: Proposed new rules on asset management fee disclosure could cut into the consistently high profit margins of asset managers, but there are other trends investors should be aware of.

  • Opinion

    DC Debate Q2 (part 2): The limits of DC

    2017-05-23T00:00:00Z

    In the second DC Debate of 2017, seven defined contribution specialists discuss why schemes will look for more delegation, whether member engagement can be counterproductive, and if auto-enrolment should be extended.

  • Opinion

    DC Debate Q2 (part 1): Are equities best for defaults?

    2017-05-22T00:00:00Z

    In the second DC Debate of 2017, seven defined contribution specialists discuss ESG in default funds, and what to say to members when markets fall.

  • Opinion

    DC Debate Q1 (part 1): Which investment strategies work for DC investors?

    2017-02-28T00:00:00Z

    In the first DC Debate of 2017, eight defined contribution specialists discuss the pros and cons of illiquid assets, traditional indices and smart beta strategies.

  • Opinion

    DC Debate Q1 (part 2): How can the industry create value for savers?

    2017-02-28T00:00:00Z

    In the first DC Debate of 2017, eight defined contribution specialists discuss the benefits of building a dashboard and look at the charge cap and whether the industry has come closer to defining value for money.

  • LDI roundtable panel
    Opinion

    LDI: How hedging strategies should be adapted for the cash flow era

    2017-02-27T00:00:00Z

    How has liability-driven investment evolved recently, and how does it need to change to be fit for the future? Six experts discuss the issues and opportunities for LDI.

  • Opinion

    How can LDI be combined with cash flow delivery?

    2017-02-22T00:00:00Z

    How should maturing pension schemes adapt their LDI strategies to meet increasing cash flow demands, and what solutions can help them navigate collateral issues? Axa Investment Managers' Jonathan Crowther, Barnett Waddingham's Sophia Heathcoat, Dalriada Trustees' Simon Cohen, Hymans Robertson's Alen Ong, Law Debenture's David Felder and Standard Life Investments' Mark Foster discuss.

  • Opinion

    Is there still a place for triggers in LDI strategies?

    2017-02-13T00:00:00Z

    How should schemes react to never seeing their hedging triggers hit, and is a time-based strategy better suited to the current rates environment? Axa Investment Managers' Jonathan Crowther, Barnett Waddingham's Sophia Heathcoat, Dalriada Trustees' Simon Cohen, Hymans Robertson's Alen Ong, Law Debenture's David Felder and Standard Life Investments' Mark Foster pick apart the implementation issues for today's LDI investors.

  • Opinion

    What changes are needed in LDI strategies?

    2017-02-09T00:00:00Z

    Where are interest rates going to move over the next few years, and should schemes be worried by signs of rising inflation? Is cash flow the overriding concern? Axa Investment Managers' Jonathan Crowther, Barnett Waddingham's Sophia Heathcoat, Dalriada Trustees' Simon Cohen, Hymans Robertson's Alen Ong, Law Debenture's David Felder and Standard Life Investments' Mark Foster discuss.

  • News

    How has LDI changed over the last year?

    2017-01-31T00:00:00Z

    Have falling interest rates over the last year finally persuaded trustees and sponsors that yields may not revert to the mean, or do they expose liability hedging as expensive flattery of scheme balance sheets? Axa Investment Managers' Jonathan Crowther, Barnett Waddingham's Sophia Heathcoat, Dalriada Trustees' Simon Cohen, Hymans Robertson's Alen Ong, Law Debenture's David Felder and Standard Life Investments' Mark Foster discuss.

  • Opinion

    DC Debate: Autumn Statement, VfM and governance

    2015-11-24T00:00:00Z

    In this final quarterly DC Debate of the year, our seven panel members discuss the speed at which DC reviews are being carried out, the effectiveness of IGCs, value for money in the real world and Autumn Statement predictions.

  • Opinion

    The DC Debate – does the future offer greater freedom, or further restrictions?

    2015-09-22T00:00:00Z

    In this instalment of the DC Debate, our eight panel members discuss the effects of the new freedoms, continued legislation and compliance, and which value-for-money products are in the pensions pipeline.

  • News

    Debt is inextricably linked to 'adequate' retirement incomes

    2015-09-22T00:00:00Z

    Personal debt is a significant blindspot in the method used for determining 'adequate' retirement incomes, research suggests, as data from overseas show indebtedness will play an increasingly important role in retirees' needs. 

  • Opinion

    The DC Debate – how the freedoms are changing the direction of DC

    2015-05-01T00:00:00Z

    In the second quarter of 2015, our debate panel members explain how they think the charge cap and wider reforms are reshaping DC provision – and predict what further changes might come. 

  • Opinion

    Managing the impact of political shifts

    2014-11-10T00:00:00Z

    Some observers argue political instability – primarily as a result of elections – drives market volatility, but opinion is divided over the extent of its impact on pension funds.

  • News

    Schemes have scope to delve deeper into illiquids, but confidence lacking

    2014-08-13T00:00:00Z

    Defined benefit schemes are showing increased interest in illiquid alternatives as they hunt greater yield and diversification, but many lack sufficient resources and the confidence needed to execute such investments.

  • Opinion

    Checking the price tag: evaluating the charges obsession

    2014-06-18T00:00:00Z

    Data analysis: The Budget reforms signal an age of greater plurality in retirement possibilities for members.