Brussels targets big bonuses Existing pay policies create incentives for fund managers to take excessive risks and must be revamped to protect investors, according to the European Commission. It says bonuses should be "considerably contracted" if a fund or fund manager underperforms, via both reductions in current pay and also through clawbacks of previous payouts. Go long volatility is my prescription Rather like self-medicators who have balanced a course of amphetamines with a course of barbiturates, the risk markets are in a numbed state, says John Dizard. He warns that investors and traders probably have only a few weeks to get into position for sharp swings in asset prices. No such thing as risk-free assets The question of whether the global pool of safe assets is shrinking is hugely important for anyone involved in asset allocation. But the terminology of this debate is highly confusing. No asset is risk-free, nor does it make much sense to talk of the risk-free rate even when referring to the yield on top quality sovereign debt, writes John Plender. Gender agenda has long way to go How important is a better gender balance on corporate boards? You only have to look at the Barclays board to see that having a few women directors is no panacea. However gender diversity is just a part of the wider discussion needed to transform UK corporate governance, writes Pauline Skypala. Managers fail in crucial areas Asset managers are failing to deliver in the areas valued most highly by retail and institutional investors, according to research by State Street. CDC schemes back on the pensions agenda The UK pensions minister has confirmed that risk sharing through collective defined contribution schemes is back on the agenda in spite of a 2009 Department for Work and Pensions report that ruled out legislating for CDC due to "the risk of unacceptable generational unfairness." Optimist sees euro resolution ahead and big property deals Face to face interview with Ric Lewis, chief executive of the real estate house Tristan Capital Partners. The upbeat Mr Lewis argues that the property industry's fundamentals are "great" and says that the right time to invest is now, before the recovery becomes obvious. Carbon reporting key to company fortunes The UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio was messy and unco-ordinated but there will be some far-reaching consequences with all companies on the main London Stock Exchange required to report data on their greenhouse gas emissions from April 2013. Interest in EM local currency bonds rises Foreign investors keen to gain exposure to emerging market debt traditionally tend to favour hard currency dollar denominated bond funds, but investors might do well to broaden their horizons, writes Ruth Sullivan. Alternatives continue to win pension assets Pension funds are continuing to raise their exposure to alternative investments, according to the Global Alternatives Survey by Towers Watson in association with FTfm, which is now in its ninth year. This entry was posted by Emma Boyde on Sunday, July 8th, 2012 at 12:52 and is filed under Uncategorised.