Steady Fixed-Income Outlook for 2018
With a new Fed chair and expectations for rising rates, 2018 will be a year to focus on fixed income portfolios.
Investing
Tactical Asset Allocation Can Protect TDFs From Market Disruptions
However, only small portions of TDFs should be designated for tactical asset allocation.
Fiduciary Concerns to Know When Debating Managed Accounts
Before implementing managed accounts—either as a QDIA or voluntary option—plan sponsors should consider potential fiduciary issues.
Presenting Managed Accounts as a Service Could Reduce Apprehensions
Cerulli Associates suggests that if retirement plan sponsors position managed accounts as a valued service it could alleviate concerns about costs.
Multi-Asset Fund Research Recommends More Focused Benchmarks
Respondents to a recent survey broadly use multiple benchmarks and measures to assess multi-asset fund performance, with around three selected on average; this runs the risk of investors...
MetLife Finds Move Away From Money Market Funds in DC Plans
Fifty-two percent of defined contribution retirement plan sponsors offer money market funds as capital preservation options, down from 62% in 2015.
Institutional Investors Turn to Alternative Investments to Diversify
Sixty-two percent say they need better tools to manage the risks associated with these asset classes.
More DB Plans Using LDI Strategies
Eighty-one percent of pension plan professionals say funded status volatility is their top motivating factor for pursuing an LDI strategy.
CIT’s Costs Attract Institutional Investors
A report from Cerulli Associates states the primary reason an institutional investor seeks out a CIT is the fact that it can often gain more favorable pricing compared...
DB Plans, Retail Investors Expected to Embrace ESG
Cerulli even expects environmental, social and governance investing to become "the baseline of how portfolios are constructed."
Year-End Market Analysis Highlights Global Momentum
However, the increasing “narrowness” of the sources of return in broad market indexes is concerning to MFS experts.
ETF Growth Trends Highlight ESG, Strategic Beta
Findings suggest the opportunity is ripe for smart beta ETF products, but more industry education is needed.
Sponsors Must Weigh Response To Record-Breaking Equity Markets
With strong November returns, the Wilshire 5000 U.S. equity index extended an unprecedented run of consecutive monthly gains.
Argument for Auto-Enroll Emergency Savings
The idea is relatively simple: workers who do not yet have emergency savings will be directed to first fund a short-term savings account reserved for emergencies, before funding...
Active Managers Look to Distinguish Themselves With Multi-Asset-Class Products
Some are building proprietary investment models.
Several Factors Push Investing Into ETFs
EY says the move from active to passive investing is one of them.
Experts Push for Sponsor Courage When Offering In-Plan Lifetime Income
DOL leadership has stated explicitly that investments with lifetime income elements can be a prudent investment option in DC plans, even if not a QDIA.
Twenty-One Percent of Investment Managers Plan to Lower Fees
Today, only 69% of assets in retirement plans are in actively managed funds, down significantly from 84% in 1996.
Willis Towers Watson Redefines Pension Plan Investing Strategy for 2018
The consultancy identifies 10 investment-related terms rendered outdated by change.
OCIO Model Gaining Ground With Variety of Investors
Together, defined benefit (DB) plans and nonprofits continue to represent the majority of the assets under management of outsourced chief investment officers (OCIOs) polled by Cerulli Associates.