Markets & views
Published Articles
Articles published in the professional financial press
A Fresh Approach To Asset Allocation
Pension investors who are willing to challenge their preconceptions can gain from a more dynamic approach to managing fixed income funds. Rather than accepting the status quo of where and how a fund is invested, trustees can embrace the results of strategic asset allocation (SAA) analysis to modify the fund’s benchmark.
10/0600/250111 Published in Pensions Week Jan 2010
Time For Market Medicine
It was a close run thing, but a combination of bail outs and government stimulus packages got us through the past two years without the wheels completely falling off the world economy. But so far, all the government initiatives have done is to nationalise debt: the problem has shifted from the private sector balance sheets to the public sector ones.
10/0431/21/05/11 Published May 2010 in Professional Pensions Magazine
Asset Allocation: Turning Back The Clock
Asset allocation is simply too important to leave to chance. Deciding how best to split a portfolio between equities, gilts, corporate bonds, cash, property and alternative assets is essential in ensuring that a pension fund can meet its liabilities without taking undue risk
10/0059/220211 Published in February 2010 edition of Investment Insight
Absolutely Focused On Returns
The recent helter-skelter of world stock markets has prompted pension investors to take a fresh look at absolute return (AR) funds. In a traditional long-only fund, a significant portion of the return lies beyond a manager’s influence. Even the best fund manager struggles against a 40% drop in their market benchmark.
10/0346/290311 Published in March 2010 edition of Pension Insight
In Conversation With Mark Wauton
The head of credit at Aviva Investors talks to Credit Magazine about his aim to change the perception that insurers are behind the curve in the world of credit investing.
November 2009 Credit Magazine
Giving Clarity To Cash
Colin Cookson, head of liquidity at Aviva Investors, explains how fund managers are evolving a more transparent approach to help clients understand exactly where their money is invested.
10/0567/200511 Published May 2010
A Human Model - Adrian Jarvis
Adrian Jarvis, Head of Aviva Investors' Tactical Asset Allocation (TAA) strategy, shows that it's not all about scenarios, macroeconomics & models.
March 2010 Funds People
Meeting Public Sector Liquidity Needs
Colin Cookson explains to Government Business Magazine how Aviva Investors are aiming to meet the public sector's needs. Clients, whether in the public or private sector, repeatedly tell us that investing in liquid assets takes up more management time, is more costly, and presents more difficulties than they envisaged. The dramatic events of the past 18 months have made matters even worse, with issues of risk and even the security of bank deposits a perpetual concern.
09/1132/190211 (reissue of article complied in Oct 2009 re-issued Apr 10)
Partnering with the public sector
Real estate let to the public sector provides a highly secure income stream. There is little chance of the tenant going bust, while rent rises are typically set in advance. It is a widely held belief that a manager with a strong and established relationship in the public sector can capitalise on this. Public sector property has the potential to be the perfect partner for many years to come.
Pensions Week, 9 November 2009 (09/0971/06410)
Eyes on the future
Zoe Collier discusses the fact that it is becoming increasingly relevant for funds to consider the environmental performance of the buildings they invest in: factors such as standards of energy efficiency, appropriate construction materials, waste and water management.
Pensions Week, 23 November 2009 (09/1104/120510)
Managing credit post credit-crunch
The analysis of credit risk needs to fundamentally change, says Mark Wauton, head of credit at Aviva Investors.
Pensions Insight, October 2009 (09/0914/211209)
A strategy for long-term success
Mirko Cardinale suggests that in any multi-asset fund, such as a pension fund, deciding how you allocate capital between different types of assets will have a bigger impact on returns than on the managers you select for underlying funds.
Pension Week, 26 October 2009 (09/0936/311209)
Maximising returns vs minimising risk
Absolute return funds can do well whatever the weather if they keep an open mind to economic forecasts, says Philip Pearson of Aviva Investors.
Pensions Insight, September 2009 (09/0936/311209)
Aviva Investors Property Conference
Kira Nickerson, Professional Pensions, reports from the Aviva Investors Property Conference on 9 October 2009 and hears that the UK market has gone below long-term fair value.
Professional Pensions, 16 October 2009 (09/1083/311209)
Why should I consider GTAA?
Gerard Hutchings, head of pensions business development at Aviva Investors, explains why pension funds should consider global tactical asset allocation
Pensions Insight, June 2009 (09/0472/311209)
The power of unconstrained investment strategies
Shahid Ikram, head of sovereign and total return at Aviva Investors, investigates how to make fixed income portfolios work harder
Pensions Insight, May 2009 (09/0322/301109)
Don't rule out diversification
Murphy’s law of diversification states that diversification opportunities are least available when they are most needed. And the recent convulsions in world markets saw values falling across virtually all asset classes.
Pensions Week, 11 May 2009 (09/0416/111109)
Taking a tactical view
In volatile conditions, investors can benefit from taking tactical views on fast changing capital markets. Steve Cleal, head of asset allocation fund management for Aviva Investors, explains how global tactical asset allocation portfolios are managed for pension schemes.
Pensions Insight, April 2009 (09/0253/3110009)
An antidote to volatile markets
Pension managers naturally model their fund’s liabilities decades into the future. But in planning ahead, the sensible manager should not overlook short-term investment opportunities.
Pensions Week, 13 April 2009 (09/0304/311009)
Removing the shackles from fixed income
The illusion that strategies built around equities can answer all the needs of pension investors has been firmly shattered.Pension funds now realise significant equity returns year-on-year have been an anomaly, not the norm. They need a more stable match between their assets and liabilities.
Pensions Week, 20 April 2009 (09/0367/311009)
There's value if you know where to look
Try walking a tightrope in a hurricane and you have a fair idea of the life of a pension professional today. The balance is between protecting capital against further erosion and finding opportunities for growth in an uncertain climate.
Pensions Week, 16 March 2009 (09/0240/311209)