The Markets

For the third quarter, the Callan Target Date Index bounced back from a poor second quarter with a return of 4.57%.

The Altegris Macro Strategy Fund integrated the Brevan Howard Emerging Markets Local Fixed Income strategy.

Ibbotson Associates reported target-date fund (TDF) returns experienced gains in the third quarter.

For today’s frozen defined benefit (DB) plans, the question is not if they will settle—it’s more about “how” or “when.”

The low interest rate environment made it the right time for Verizon to transfer some pension risk, a company spokesman told PLANADVISER.

 The Prudential Insurance Company of America has signed an agreement with Verizon Communications Inc. to transfer approximately $7.5 billion of the Verizon Management Pension Plan obligations to Prudential....

Amid market volatility, the changing role of defined contribution (DC) retirement plans, a shrinking work force and longer life expectancy, plan sponsors must tackle more issues threatening plan...

 The Aon Hewitt 401(k) Index pointed to continued participant uncertainty in September as daily transfer volumes remained significantly low compared with historical levels.  

To meet rising demand for Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), BNP Paribas launched a fund that is being managed by FFTW.

Alternatives are increasingly being used across defined contribution (DC) plans as a risk-management strategy.

Investors added $16.5 billion to long-term open-end funds in September, according to Morningstar Inc.

Friends Fiduciary Corporation (FFC), which manages assets for U.S. Quakers, has divested from three companies because of concerns about ties with the Israeli military.

In September, mutual fund investors continued to seek income and safety in bond funds, which gained another $32 billion for the month.

A white paper from Rocaton Investment Advisors suggests market conditions combined with recently passed pension funding relief justifies a new look at liability-driven investment (LDI) strategies.

The Dietrich Pension Risk Transfer Index, which tracks the relative attractiveness of annuitizing pension liabilities, increased for the second month.

According to BNY Mellon, the funded status of U.S. corporate pensions increased for the second straight month to 75%, the first two-month winning streak since February.

The list of companies offering lump sum payments to help manage pension plan liability continues to grow, with Equifax as the latest addition.

The aggregate deficit in pension plans sponsored by S&P 1500 companies decreased $38 billion during September, to $593 billion, according to figures from Mercer.

 The Taylor Xplor Managed Futures Strategy Fund was unveiled by Taylor Alternative Mutual Funds, providers of alternative investment strategies. 

Vanguard announced new benchmark indices for 22 of its index funds.