Data from Morningstar demonstrates variable annuity net assets fell 1.6% to $1.95 trillion during the first quarter of 2018, versus fourth quarter 2017 net assets of $1.99 trillion; still, experts anticipate sales to recover as regulatory pressure and uncertainty ease.
Equity prices have strongly recovered since the Great Recession, bringing some benefit to corporate pension funded status, but pension plan sponsors have still faced periods of unprecedented volatility, a prolonged slowdown in global growth, and historically low interest rates.
Ryan Labs president Richard Familetti reflects on the increasingly prominent role of investment consultants in helping to shape LDI strategies and other pension plan behaviors.
“Ultimately, we believe that an active and tactical approach to investing in green bonds may allow investors to better manage risk factors, such as those relating to currencies and rates,” says Yvette Klevan, managing director and portfolio manager/analyst at Lazard Asset Management.
AlphaCore launches risk factor analytics tool, and Franklin Resources adds to fixed income team.