Inflation, regime change and implications for markets

A session exploring key asset classes for pension fund investors. Examining critical issues and developments including investment environments, valuations, asset prices and different approaches for navigating risk and return:

This session discusses the three sustainable growth trends that could be redefining ESG – Energy, Software and Genomics. Cutting through the acronyms and jargon that pervade responsible investing, the presentation will explore how an optimistic approach can help identify the companies that are profoundly contributing to society.

• The power of competitive advantage and how its sustainability is often underestimated by the market​​​
• Themes and trends – examples of where opportunities are being seen across the globe

The emerging market universe today looks very different to that of the 1990s. Major trends, such as a revival in travel demand, innovation in healthcare, the growth of digital platforms and the acceleration of mobile technology, are spurring the prospects for EMs. What are the trends that will shape the future of emerging markets?

The unparalleled economic disruption and acceleration of structural trends caused by the pandemic has focused investors on positioning for the long term. But what is the final destination? And with the journey unlikely to be smooth, could cyclical opportunities get lost? This session will map the potential road to recovery, from today’s starting point, to signposts to look out for, to the direction of travel for real estate portfolios.

As Icelandic pension funds continue to increase foreign investments, what is the impact on currency stability? Given the size of the country’s pension system relative to GDP, how can the need to minimise both portfolio concentration risk and currency risk be managed?

The development of sustainable infrastructure is a challenge which can be overcome with participation of private investors. The OECD has for some time encouraged private investors to invest in infrastructure and published in 2007, special infrastructure principles to facilitate such private sector participation. Icelandic pension funds share ownership of a geothermal power plant in Iceland with a foreign investment fund. During the ownership period many provisions of the OECD principles have been tried. This case study will explore the lessons learnt since 2011.

A critical component of the resiliency of infrastructure as an asset class comes from its essentiality. With the unparalleled economic and social disruption from the global pandemic as well as an increased industry focus on ESG, which are the most essential infrastructure sectors of today and the future?

A case study detailing Arion Bank’s digital future journey and the creation of the pension product app for Frjalsi and Arion’s DC fund. This presentation will explore opportunities for using robotics and other technology in the pension fund sector to achieve key goals including:

• Improving member engagement and experience
• Increasing financial literacy among fund members
• Simplifying the process for the user
• Using robotics in processing fund members actions within the app 

The session will describe key success indicators such as member satisfaction and award, lessons learnt and plans for the future.

An 'out of the box' perspective from an award winning communication professional. What lessons can be translated to the pension fund world?
 

Hear leading investment specialists share the latest research, insights and analyses from across the spectrum of ESG and what they may mean for different investors

This presentation will focus on the practical application of sustainable investing in US small cap stocks, highlighting some of the opportunities and challenges that are present in the asset class. Key topics will include:

• The value of ESG analysis
• The opportunity of ESG in small caps
• Sustainability and engagement drive growth and differentiation
• Challenges of ESG analysis in small caps
• Practical application for ESG investing in US small caps

This session will share insights into what fundamental sustainability analysis really entails, detailing how to apply an ESG framework as a core feature of investment analysis. Explore the differences and – perhaps surprising – similarities between an ESG-focused approach and 'traditional; equity analysis, and why an ESG framework supports the goal of outperforming a mainstream index.