This article explores the case for “smart simplicity” and how institutional investors can align portfolio design with their capacity to understand, oversee and govern it effectively.

Investing success comes from making sound decisions in spite of uncertainty.

Peter Muldowney co-authored a practical guide to enterprise risk management for boards overseeing pension and benefits programs, published in Plans & […]

What about building fixed income portfolios based on outcomes, instead of product labels?

“The world is always changing.” – Sir John Templeton. Few areas illustrate this better than institutional investing. Nearly three decades ago, I moved from the UK to Canada, and over this time I have had a front-row seat to a remarkable transformation in the Canadian investment landscape, spanning defined benefit (DB) plans, public funds, endowments and foundations and increasingly, defined contribution (DC) investors.

Not long ago, alternative investments played only a marginal role in the portfolios of Canadian university endowments. Exposure to assets such as commercial real estate, infrastructure, private equity, private credit and hedge funds was limited, not by philosophy, but by practicality.

Great leadership requires more than technical skills and intellectual horsepower. It requires emotional intelligence. Arguably, emotional intelligence plays a more decisive role in in decision-making under pressure and building trust around the table. Best of all, it can be strengthened at any stage of life.

Despite a year of geopolitical unrest and trade challenges, investors saw robust portfolio growth with strong Canadian equities and a broadening of stocks away from the Magnificent Seven.

While some investors may go all-in on global equities, there are several advantages for having a Canadian-equity bias.

The world stands at the brink of another energy transformation, but this time, the stakes are higher.

The total portfolio approach (TPA) aims to treat the entire portfolio as a single, integrated entity and is gaining significant traction amongst larger investors. How is TPA different and who’s best positioned to take advantage?

Peter Muldowney, Senior Vice President and Head of Institutional and Multi-Asset Strategy, speaks with Plans & Trusts about the role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in shaping board culture and driving performance.

AI is beginning to contribute to the way the asset management industry works. With more time, its influence will apply to a greater number of asset classes.

Fixed income insights, current outlook and how the broad range of fixed income strategies available can help to diversify risk for investors.

Are concerns about the recent volatility of Canadian currency overblown? A look at the longer-term relationship between the US and Canadian dollars puts things into perspective.