Nordic Forum

Topical Investment Issues: Focus on Inflation & Net Zero Investing

Date:

26 August 2021 10:00 to 13:00

Venue:

Virtual Forum Seminar

Details:

Session 1 – Potential ‘Surge on Inflation’ – Medium/Long Term Outlook on Inflation and Implications for Portfolios

We will look at the outlook for inflation and interest rates in the short, medium and long-term and the resultant implications for pension funds. With the recent inflation figures being higher than expected, will this be transitory as many have suggested, or are we seeing a structural shift to towards rising inflation for the medium/long-term?

Our speakers will focus on:

Examining the likely impact of an inflation surge and, if so, would it produce a ‘real’ rates shock on portfolios and would it be transitory or a long-term problem?
Why has there not been higher inflation as might have been expected from academic theory?
What is the possibility of rising interest rates, especially at the long end of the curve?
What does any inflation move mean for risk assets and will it continue to create ‘asset bubbles’?
Explaining how asset allocation and strategy will be impacted.
Advising in which assets or strategies you can invest to provide a good hedge against inflation today.
Responsibility of central banks and asset bubbles. Who to blame when next crash happens?
Why do we only look at CPI? Is asset inflation not important for long-term stability?

Session 2 – Low Carbon Transition/Zero Carbon Strategy – Risks and Investment Implications

With regulators and members increasingly scrutinising pension funds and managers on how they consider Climate Change issues in relation to their investments and strategy, just what should Pension Fund Boards do now?

Our panel of speakers will aim to give some practical insights on:

How should you be integrating climate change issues into your own investment strategy effectively?
How can pension schemes align their portfolios in line with Net Zero and Climate Transition?
Zero Carbon Investment Strategy
How to do deal with gaps in your vision and the practical solutions/approaches available?
Is there too much focus on investors doing ‘good’ for climate change without consideration of risks and understanding how portfolios will be impacted directly?
Modelling Climate Change Scenarios and translating them into an investment strategy.
Benchmarking process and how useful this is for building investment portfolios.
What are some of the challenges around data for analysis of climate risk and for modelling?
Should pension schemes engage in collaboration initiatives such as UN Net Zero, the Transition Pathways Initiative and the recent Sustainable Development Investments Asset Owner Platform (SDI AOP)? How useful are they?
How should climate risk be measured?

Spotlight on China

Date:

1 June 2021 12:00 to 15:00

Venue:

Virtual Forum Seminar

Details:

Session 1 – Geopolitical Risks: China’s Relationship with US and Europe – Implications for Portfolios

With the ongoing trade war between US and China, we will discuss the geopolitical ramifications, especially with the Biden Administration.
Understand the economic impact and what this means for global markets including macro factors such as inflation and interest rates.
What is Europe’s role – does it stay connected to China/EU agreements with China? What does this mean for European investors?
Consider the key areas of concerns and how you should evaluate exposure to technology in your portfolios?
Review the role should China play in your portfolio, how safe are your investments and how can you analyse the risks and rewards?

Session 2 – Focus on Investing in China – A Look at Equities, other Asset Classes & ESG Issues

Should schemes have a targeted asset allocation strategy of investing in China today and, if so, should this be strategic or tactical?
We will review the key risks and opportunities for investing in China across asset classes such as equities and fixed income.
Many schemes remain under-invested (to China) relative to benchmark allocation, but is that a conscious strategy and what is an appropriate benchmark for China?
Identify the broader ESG considerations of investing in China
Should investing in China be done actively or passively?
Is an investment in a developed market company with a lot of business in China a safer way to get Chinese exposure?

Benelux Forum – Belgian Meetings.

Benelux Forum – Dutch Meetings.

International Seminar.

Irish Pension Fund Investment Forum.

Money Purchase Pensions Forum.

Nordic Forum.

Pensioen Bestuurstafel.

Pension Trustees Circle.

Private Markets Investors Forum.

Southern Africa Pension Fund Investment Forum.

Swiss International Forum.

UK Pension Fund Investment Forum.