Effect of Inflation of Risk Pools’ Core Fixed Income Portfolios

We spoke with Income Research + Management to discuss core fixed income portfolios may be affected by inflation changes, including specific risks to insurers and risk pools. Rob Lund | SVP, Client Portfolio Manager | Income Research + Managementrlund@incomeresearch.com | www.incomeresearch.com/ Effect of Inflation on Core Fixed Income Portfolios SAA: What are the risks for […]
Read More

May Investment Review for Risk Pools

Government bond yields were little changed in May. US investment grade corporate bonds produced a solid total return and continued outperforming Treasuries. High yield corporate bonds saw further positive returns, driven by coupon-clipping as spreads slightly widened US equities rose in May. Economic momentum showed further signs of acceleration as industries reopened and vaccine roll-outs […]
Read More

SWOT Analysis: Your Risk Pool’s Investment Manager Evaluation

A SWOT Analysis will identify internal strengths, weaknesses, external opportunities and threats to each component of your risk pool’s investment process. Below are common practices and areas of concern within a risk pool’s investment manager relations The SWOT analysis acts as a road map for future changes to the investment process. Conducting a SWOT Analysis […]
Read More

Risk Assets Primer for Risk Pools

With interest rates at or near all-time lows, investing in “Risk Assets” can be a viable option for risk pools looking for ways to increase yields to support the underlying business. Risk assets are any investment outside of investment-grade fixed income. These assets provide greater potential yields, but with greater risk of loss and/or return […]
Read More

Fixed Income Primer for Risk Pool Staff & Board

Most risk pools allocate their portfolios heavily towards investment-grade fixed income to account for policy holder obligations, reserves and sufficient risk capital. Fixed income allocations by insurers typically range from 70% to 100% of their portfolios depending on regulatory and other constraints. As such, investing these fixed income assets effectively is a primary objective. To […]
Read More

Monthly Capital Markets Review for Risk Pools – April 2021

Across bond markets in April, yields were grinding lower and prices moving higher. With consensus firmly in the higher yield camp, the Street struggled to explain the move lower in yields. Reasons cited included rising Covid variants cases outside the U.S., sluggish global growth, and technical factors. Still, low rates will persist as recently reaffirmed […]
Read More

Responsible/Sustainable Investing: Blueprint for Risk Pooling Boards/Trustees & Staff

The world’s stakeholders — be they investors, customers, employees, leaders or ordinary citizens — increasingly care about environmental, social, and institutional governance issues (i.e. ESG). While many institutions/organizations have taken significant steps towards addressing ESG goals, others have not started or are earlier in the process. This overview is meant to broadly summarize the ESG […]
Read More

Peer Analysis Primer for Government Risk Pools

Most government risk pools have an investment program specifically designed to meet their unique goals and objectives. However, it is important for risk pools to compare their portfolio to other similar public entities as a measure of performance and identify potential improvements. Peer Group Analysis can lead pools to ask more poignant questions about their […]
Read More

Templates for Risk Pools: Investment Consultant RFP

Whether your risk pool is conducting an investment consultant search for fiduciary reasons or to improve the overall investment process, it is important the distributed RFP is structured to meet the needs of your organization. An appropriately structured RFP will ensure your risk pool receives the responses and information necessary to make a well-informed decision. […]
Read More