Investment Archives - Page 63 of 143 - Pension Policy International

14JunJune 14, 2023

US. GOP bill aims to block ERISA plans from funding firms linked to U.S. adversaries

Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., introduced a bill to block ERISA-governed retirement plans from making new investments in companies controlled by or based in Iran, North Korea, Russia and China. "Several states, including my home state of Indiana, divested their pension funds from China, but federally regulated ERISA plans continue to fund firms that are building up the People's Liberation Army, stealing U.S. intellectual property and participating in the Uyghur genocide," said Mr. Banks, who serves on the Select Committee on...

June 14, 2023

NewsInvestment, Regulation, US

14JunJune 14, 2023

Akio Toyoda reelected Toyota chairman despite pension funds’ governance concerns

Toyota Motor weathered an unprecedented showdown with investors at its annual general meeting on Wednesday as shareholders approved former President Akio Toyoda's nomination to the board and rejected a proposal demanding better disclosure on climate lobbying activities. Proxy advisers, U.S. pension funds and European asset managers criticized the automaker's insufficient corporate governance and environmental efforts, heaping pressure on a fledgling management team already facing intensifying industry competition in electric vehicles. "The new management is able to get to a start thanks...

June 14, 2023

NewsCorporate Governance, Investment

09JunJune 9, 2023

Prepare for a longer period of volatility, pension fund CIOs warn

Investors will need to deal with a volatile investment environment for longer than previously anticipated, pension fund CIOs said in a panel discussion. Speaking at the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association's annual investment conference in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Wyn Francis, CIO of Brightwell, said markets are "less than helpful" when it comes to the investment outlook right now. "We are more likely to stay in a volatile period for a while," he said. Brightwell manages assets for the £47 billion ($58.5...

June 9, 2023

NewsInvestment, Returns

07JunJune 7, 2023

US. DOL took thumb ‘off the scale’ in finalizing new ESG rule, official says

Despite mischaracterizations and political backlash, the Department of Labor's new rule permitting retirement plan fiduciaries to consider environmental, social and governance factors when selecting investments and exercising shareholder rights does not tip the balance in favor of ESG, a key department official said Tuesday. "The final rule that we put out, notwithstanding what you may have heard, doesn't require consideration of ESG, it doesn't mandate that every investment have an ESG score attached to it, it doesn't mandate that if...

June 7, 2023

NewsESG, Investment, Regulation, US

07JunJune 7, 2023

U.K. pension funds slow to invest in biodiversity – report

U.K. pension funds are increasingly aware of biodiversity risks to their portfolios, but not many are investing in natural solutions, according to research from Pensions for Purpose released Monday. Commissioned by alternatives asset manager Gresham House, Pensions for Purpose asked 22 asset owners and investment consultants how much they incorporate biodiversity and natural capital in investment decisions. Participants included the £25 billion ($31 billion) National Employment Savings Trust, London, £35 billion Brunel Pension Partnership, Bristol, £15 billion London CIV, £35...

June 7, 2023

NewsESG, Investment, UK

06JunJune 6, 2023

Top asset manager says pension fund clients are turning skittish on China — ‘There is a very real geopolitical risk’

APG's pension fund clients are more worried about investing in China, the Financial Times reported. That's as geopolitical risk has grown, with China increasingly at odds with the West. "There is a very real geopolitical risk that has been added to the proposition." Rising international tensions with Beijing are a serious factor in the worsening skepticism around Chinese investments, APG Asset Management told The Financial Times. One of the largest asset managers in the world, the firm is in charge of about $570...

June 6, 2023

NewsChina, Investment

05JunJune 5, 2023

California, New York pension funds vote against Toyota chairman

Two of the largest U.S. public pension funds have voted against the re-election of Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) Chairman Akio Toyoda, shareholder voting records showed, sharpening the focus on the automaker's annual meeting later this month. The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and the Office of the New York City Comptroller also voted for a resolution urging Toyota to improve disclosure of its lobbying on climate change, according to postings by the funds. Two leading proxy advisory firms last week...

June 5, 2023

NewsClimate crisis, Investment, Pension Management

05JunJune 5, 2023

Green and sustainable investing: why asset managers need clear ESG definitions to aid fund sales, quash greenwashing

A lack of globally consistent and clear definitions of what “green” and “sustainable” actually mean when it comes to projects and investment products has imposed extra burdens on asset managers struggling to meet compliance requirements, according to Fidelity’s head of sustainable investing. Insufficient regulation of environment, social and governance (ESG) data and ratings providers also heightens concerns about greenwashing, the act of making unsubstantiated sustainability claims. “If you are selling a fund as a green fund, that means very different things...

June 5, 2023

NewsESG, Investment

02JunJune 2, 2023

Aegon UK to invest £500m in climate solutions by 2026 in net zero push

Aegon UK has launched a climate action roadmap geared towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050, warning the time for "bold climate action" is now. Announced yesterday, the insurance, pensions and asset management firm's net zero target covers its core business as well as financed emissions for its workplace default pension funds. Aegon UK also promised to take "concrete short-term steps" to slash its emissions in half by 2030, which it said would "support making customers' investments more resilient to shocks". Crucially,...

June 2, 2023

NewsClimate crisis, Investment, Pension Management, UK

01JunJune 1, 2023

Canadian pension fund CDPQ puts brakes on China investment – FT

Canada's second-largest pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) has stopped making private deals in China and will close its Shanghai office later this year, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. CDPQ is currently leading its regional investment efforts from Singapore, the report said, adding that it still has business interests in China. "We paused private investments for some time already — and have focused on liquid markets, which is the majority...

June 1, 2023

NewsCanada, China, Investment, Pension Management

June 2023