FTSE
Covid-19 widens FTSE 350 DB funding gap
FTSE 350 companies with defined benefit (DB) pension schemes have been hit particularly hard by the economic crisis caused by Covid-19, latest research from Barnett Waddingham shows.
Pension schemes can avoid bowing to bear market pressure
Pension schemes should “stick to their convictions” and long-term policies in the face of market falls caused by Covid-19, Aon says.
UK gilt funds lone positive performers in 'horror show' March
Investment Association (IA) UK gilt funds were the only fund sector to deliver positive returns in a "horror show" March, which saw the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic decimate the performance of most IA-registered vehicles.
Pensions schemes feel the force of FTSE 100 plunge
Institutional investors are continuing to flounder after the FTSE 100 opened the week down 8.72%, crashing into technical bear market territory.
IA takes aim at 20% of FTSE 350 firms on board diversity failures
The Investment Association (IA) has written to nearly a fifth of FTSE 350 firms asking them to explain how they intend to improve the gender diversity of their boards, which continues to lag the Hampton-Alexander Review's target of 33% representation...
KPMG's former pensions advisory practice launches as Isio following buyout
KPMG’s pensions advisory business has relaunched following a £200m leveraged buyout that will see it rebrand as Isio.
'Dark storm' of coronavirus sees global stocks suffer worst week
The S&P 500 closed in negative territory again yesterday, down 4.4%, the largest drop since August 2011.
UK continues to lead way on governance amid increasing investor pressure
UK companies continue to lead the way on governance standards globally, despite an uptick in shareholder rebellions in 2019 as investors continue to ramp up pressure on investee firms, data suggests.
DB funding - January 2020: Gilt yield drop pushes up deficit by £64bn
Every month, several firms issue trackers of the aggregate defined benefit (DB) scheme funding position. See here for the January 2020 estimates on the various measures…
Limited RPI change now factored into company pension disclosures
Companies with large pension schemes have already made budget allowances in advance of proposed changes to the Retail Prices Index (RPI), Willis Towers Watson (WTW) says.
PLSA: Executive remuneration-related dissent at 'five year high' and 'major concern' for schemes
The number of remuneration-related resolutions that received significant levels of dissent during the 2019 AGM season was at a five-year high, according to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA).
Phoenix Group looks to acquire rival ReAssure for £3.2bn
Phoenix Group has laid down a proposal to acquire rival life insurer ReAssure Group in a £3.2bn cash and shares deal.
Breaking into the boardroom, tackling the seniority gap
FTSE 100 chief executives are more likely to be called Steve than they are to be women, who account for 50% of the population, unlike men called Steve.
Partner Insight: Finding surer paths to DB pension scheme endgames
DB pension schemes need to increase certainty about potential outcomes to help them reach their chosen goal, says Jos Vermeulen of Insight Investment
Industry Voice: FTSE 350 pensions - Investment strategy
Deficit contributions and favourable asset returns in recent years have led to improved funding positions and our analysis suggests buying out scheme liabilities with an insurer is now a realistic medium-term goal for the majority of FTSE 350 companies...
ReAssure announces potential intention to float
ReAssure Group has revealed its intention to publish a registration document and its potential intention to float on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Inflation beats expectations to stick at 3% putting further pressure on BoE to hike rates in May
The UK inflation rate remained flat at 3% in January, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), beating analysts' expectations of a drop to 2.9%.
IA asks FTSE companies how they are addressing shareholder concerns
Letter to FTSE All-Share members
DB funds enjoy 'eye-of-the-storm respite' in November
Private sector defined benefit (DB) schemes saw a small improvement in their funding ratios in November after a year of market turmoil.
Dividend warning as FTSE 350 deficits soar 135% to 'dizzying heights'
FTSE 350 companies may need to reconsider whether to pay dividends after the total deficit has climbed to £207bn by the end of August.
DB liabilities climb by £100bn over July
Total deficits of UK defined benefit (DB) schemes have reached an all-time high for the sixth month in a row, according to JLT Employee Benefits.
DB contribution levels expected to meet investment shortfall
Companies could increase their defined benefit (DB) contributions rates to meet a £770bn funding gap over the next 60 years.
JLT: DB deficits hit record £341bn in June
Total deficits of UK defined benefit (DB) schemes reached an all-time high of £341bn by the end of June amid uncertainty over Brexit, according to JLT Employee Benefits.
What will happen to schemes' investments after Brexit or Remain?
As the UK goes to the polls to decide the country's future EU membership, PP looks at what pension funds should expect under either scenario.
