Newsmakers

Private equity, the traditional bastion of institutional investors, is struggling with poor returns and regulatory troubles as REITs continue to grow.

Although small fish itself, the regulator’s initiative to move existing final-salary scheme members into a defined contribution plan signals the end of an era – and may in fact encourage others to do the same.

Often viewed with a suspicious eye, SWFs – the current kings of M&A – are increasingly joining forces with local investors when making moves.

While seemingly inevitable, the focus on investment manager compensation has now spread to pension funds, a move that will concern many as talent retention worries continue.

PPIP, the government program to take ‘toxic assets’ off the books of banks, has received a lukewarm response in America; the Chinese Investment Corporation, however, is reportedly putting up $2 billion to invest in this mortgage-backed securities program.

On a macro scale, it’s confusion. But on an individual level, America’s pension plans are sure of what they need to do regarding investment risk-levels; they just aren’t all sure in the same way.

The Harvard endowment has been lambasted by critics for an illiquid investment strategy and an overly ambitious infrastructure expansion plan, but in possible signs of a turnaround at the world’s largest university endowment, hiring has started once again.