White papers and articles discussing issues related to investment consulting and actuarial consultants. The most recurrent theme amongst our top papers is the subject of delegated investment management services, with fiduciary management surveys and reports on investment outsourcing (OCIO) being frequently downloaded. Reports on the role of investment consultants in...
manager selection have also proved popular, covering topics such as investment consultants' recommendations of fund managers, investment consultant alpha, and how to get on the approved list of managers for selection. Other top research in this section covers trends within the investment management industry, actuarial assumptions, and the role that investment consultants play in alternative investments. Further documents consider the risk tolerance of boards, institutional decision-makers, fee structures and risk premia.
Consolidation is an important and current theme within the investment industry. Many firms are considering M&A deals and with the arrival of COVID-19, that's taken on a fresh urgency. This report by State Street examines these priorities through the lens of strategy, operating transformation, culture, and data.
Climate change is increasingly having a real impact on both Trustees and sponsors of DB schemes. This presents a key financial risk over the lifetime of schemes, but also provides opportunities for investment and to positively impact the world that savers will retire into. This detailed guide includes a checklist to help you…
This paper reviews the existing literature on Universal Ownership Theory and expands on it to encompass a theoretical and practical framework for Universal Owners in the Anthropocene era. This extension of the theory is necessary because of the scale and urgency of the climate crisis, on one hand, and the expansion of the…
This guide is intended to assist asset owners in assessing their managers’ effectiveness in addressing systemic social and environmental risks and rewards. Systemic social and environmental challenges such as climate change, income inequality, access to fresh water, and gender diversity are, among others, an emerging feature…
The PRI has produced guidance to help asset owners address responsible investment principles and ESG factors in their relationships with their investment managers. The guidance comprises five modules, which should be read in conjunction and will act as road map for asset owners to thoroughly embed ESG issues in their…
The authors study how plan sponsors chose investment management firms from their opportunity set when delegating $1.6 trillion in assets between 2002 and 2017. Two factors play an influential role in choice: pre-hiring returns, and pre-existing personal connections between personnel at the plan (or consultant advising the…
"AWM: From ‘A brave new world’ to a new normal" takes a past and present look at the asset and wealth management (AWM) industry. In this report, the authors highlight and contextualise the bold predictions they made in 2014's 'A Brave New World' and 2017's 'Embracing Exponential Change…
With control of more than US$110 tn, the asset and wealth management (AWM) industry has the unparalleled influence to shape a better future for investors, shareholders, the economy and wider society. This report by PwC examines how industry players can do this.
Managing investments is a complicated business. The understanding of the investment strategies and the time and energy it takes to manage portfolios leads to why an outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) is an important solution for non-profit organizations. Heather Myers, Non-Profit Solutions Leader at Aon Investments,…
As the Defined Contribution (DC) market continues to evolve, many plan sponsors are looking at innovative solutions to support their participants' retirement savings needs. Some of those sponsors are also looking for further support to help them in the design and implementation of those programs and are evaluating…
This guide has been written to help asset owners develop an investment manager monitoring process. It provides a framework and an indicative list of questions to include in the formal monitoring and reporting structure. Where applicable, asset owners should use the proposed guidance in a tailored form, adjusted for their…
How hiring too many investment managers drives unexpected outcomes. Northern Trust's Head of Quantitative Strategies, Michael Hunstad, PhD outlines one of the key drivers of unexpected results.
DCIIA has developed this series of questions and answers to assist plan sponsors in working with their fiduciary committee to evaluate, select or make changes to the defined contribution (DC) plan’s qualified default investment alternative (QDIA). When selecting a QDIA, there are many variables to consider. Here, we present…
This guide aims to support asset owners in their investment manager appointment process. It offers advice and suggestions of best practice that asset owners can use and adjust according to their specific needs. It is intended to complement existing procedures rather than replace them.
Corporate defined benefit plans saw increases in funding levels during third-quarter 2020, driven by a strong rally in public equity markets. A typical return-driven plan had a 3.0% increase in its funded ratio, while a typical liability-driven plan observed a 1.4% increase. Liability-driven plans with higher allocations to…
