Latest from IPE Magazine – Page 53
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FeaturesIPE Quest Expectations Indicator: February 2023
Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilians are hampered by efficient air defence. With weapons for the Ukrainian military on the way, a new offensive seems imminent. US President Joe Biden’s troubles over classified documents are a relief for Republicans. The threat of a US-EU trade conflict over China is growing as both sides retreat into nationalistic behaviour. In the UK, Conservatives are under threat of predicted historic losses, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak so far has done nothing to repair relations with the EU.
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FeaturesQontigo Riskwatch - February 2023
*Data as of 30 December 2022. Forecast risk estimate for each index measured by the respective US, World and Emerging Markets Qontigo model variants
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Opinion PiecesAustralia: Super funds face the future of fossil fuels
After a year when fossil fuel stocks outperformed all other shares, Australian super funds face a conundrum – to buy, hold or sell?
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Country ReportCountry Report – Pensions in Central & Eastern Europe (January 2023)
Poland’s PPK auto-enrolment system marks its fourth anniversary this month. It can hardly be described as a complete success given the participation rate is stuck at just over a third of the working population. Some initial projections foresaw a 70% takeup level. But with assets approaching €2.5bn and rapidly growing, there is a sense that this is a relatively good outcome for a country with no tradition of independent retirement saving and where the previous second pillar system was radically overhauled just a few years ago, leaving ordinary citizens confused and mistrustful.
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Special ReportSpecial Report – DC pensions
Workplace pensions can differentiate themselves by their stewardship and engagement programmes. But effective stewardship is generally the preserve of larger defined benefit players and big investment managers. Now, technology means investors in smaller pooled funds can express their proxy voting preferences, shifting the power away from the managers and towards asset owners.
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Asset Class ReportsAsset class report – Fixed income
Last year was the worst in recent decades for both government bonds and credit, with portfolio returns worse than most professionals have experienced in their careers. But is the tide finally shifting as inflation starts to moderate and terminal policy rates are in sight? In any case, geopolitical risks and inflation are not set to go away, and recession will inevitably take a toll on corporate issuers.
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Country ReportCentral & Eastern Europe: Poland’s qualified success with auto enrolment
Participation in the PPK auto-enrolment remains stable if relatively low and assets are growing steadily
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Special ReportDC Pensions: Funds take greater role in corporate stewardship
Voting power is still largely with fund managers, but DC schemes are taking steps to make their voice heard
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Asset Class ReportsFixed income: Paradigm shift for investors
Credit is looking more attractive on a risk/reward basis for new investment, but the factors that led to the 2022 volatility have not disappeared
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Country ReportCentral & Eastern Europe: Kosovo Pensions Trust’s journey to maturity
10% contribution rate is low for the Balkans and changes could be afoot
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Special ReportDC Pensions: UK funds grapple with cost of living crisis
Auto-enrolment in the UK has been a success, but the many strains on household incomes represent its biggest test yet
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Asset Class ReportsFixed income: Transition plans and green bonds
Should companies publish climate plans before they can issue green bonds?
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Country ReportCentral & Eastern Europe: Tax breaks boost Romania’s pensions
Challenges remain as critics eye poor investment performance
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Special ReportDC Pensions: Australians exercise pension choice
While the default MySuper dominates the superannuation industry, Australia’s defined contribution system offers a complex and wide range of options for retirement
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Country ReportCentral & Eastern Europe: Lithuania’s growing interest in alternatives
Local funds would like to see a more diverse range of domestic investment opportunities, including through more local listings
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Special ReportDC Pensions: Dutch pension funds grapple with member choice decisions
Member choice will be central after Dutch pension reform, at least in theory
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Country ReportCentral & Eastern Europe: Will Bulgaria seize the PEPP opportunity?
Bulgaria’s DC pension system should face up to the PEPP
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Opinion PiecesPeople power: a hidden strength of public pension funds
Public and sovereign pension funds face a unique set of challenges, sometimes related to resource constraints and often to the glare of open scrutiny.
