Prof. Sebastien Betermier talks investment strategies with Rational Reminder podcast
Stocks with high expected return appeal to many new investors, but can be exposed to high risks. Investors must consider how these risks can impact their overall financial situation, Prof. Sebastien Betermier tells the Rational Reminder podcast.
The Russian economy has cratered – but most Canadian investors are unlikely to have much exposure to it
Russia produces about 10 per cent of the world’s oil, but the rest of its economy is more of a lightweight. Before it attacked Ukraine, and had its financial system crippled by severe sanctions, Russia accounted for about three per cent of global GDP. Because Russian stock markets were closed after the invasion, investors have been unable to sell their holdings.
The potential long-term impact of unprecedented economic sanctions on Russia
While the use of economic sanctions for political means is no new strategy, the magnitude of the sanctions imposed on Russia in the wake of Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine is unprecedented, says Professor Sebastien Betermier in an interview with CTV Montreal.
The truth behind divestment at public and private firms
The transition to a clean energy economy is only beginning, but its reverberations are already being felt in global markets.
Three tips for going green
On a recent segment of CTV News Montreal, Professor Sebastien Betermier shared three key takeaways from the 5th annual McGill International Portfolio Competition, an event designed to help guide corporate and political leaders toward a greener economy. First, managers should create clear milestones, he says. Second, they must integrate change across industries.
Putting ESG front and center
Meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards continues to weigh heavily on the agenda for Canadian companies across industries. As Desautels strives to prepare students to meet evolving demands, Professor Sebastien Betermier highlights the importance of integrating ESG considerations into coursework--but not at the expense of fundamental concepts.
Bridging generational gaps through pension reform
In light of ongoing Dutch pension reforms, Professor Sebastien Betermier underscores the need for successful pension funds to balance individual and collective responsibility for risk-taking. From his perspective, a hybrid plan is crucial to meet stakeholder needs across generational lines.
MIPC winners prepare to present ideas to Dutch pension funds
Students from the Copenhagen Business School took home the $25,000 first prize of the fifth annual McGill International Portfolio Challenge (MIPC) this November.
McGill students spearhead hybrid MIPC
A dedicated group of McGill students successfully planned the first hybrid iteration of the annual McGill International Portfolio Challenge.
This year, McGill invited 114 teams from 26 countries to tackle the challenge of designing sustainable retirement system plans in light of Dutch pension reforms.
Delve: Why Ultra-Low Yields Don’t Mean the End of Sustainable Pension Funds
Retirement systems around the world, from public pension plans to private funds, are weathering a storm of ultra-low bond yields that threaten not only adequate returns for pensioners but the sustainability of the systems themselves. Designing retirement systems that are resilient to low yields requires balancing risk with resilience and innovative approaches.
Putting QE in the rearview mirror
With the winding down of Canadian quantitative easing policies, announced recently by the Bank of Canada’s Governor Tiff Macklem, Professor Sebastien Betermier comments on the effects of rising bond yields on pension plans. Yields across the Canadian economy currently remain at historically low levels due to inflation and supply shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Risk and return at the fifth annual MIPC
To kick off the fifth edition of the McGill International Portfolio Challenge, Professor Sebastien Betermier moderated a Delve Integrated Management symposium powered by Global Risk Institute in Financial Services (GRI) entitled “Designing Sustainable Retirement Systems in the Current Environment of Ultra-Low Yields.” The event invited University Pension Plan Ontario’s Barbara Zvan and PSP In
Going green in the concrete jungle
Professor Sebastien Betermier and his co-researchers published a paper on financial and environmental solutions for sustainable urban development. Canadian pension funds are doing something right, and they outline strategies for other funds and investors to follow suit.
Taking a deep dive into pension plans
In a Q&A for the Montreal Gazette, Professor Sebastien Betermier takes a closer look at the terms and metrics related to the funding status of a pension plan. The growth rates and termination costs of a fund, he emphasizes in the piece, largely depend on the type and risk level of assets owned.
Canada emerges as a leader in green bonds
Canadian retirement pensions are shaping up to be global leaders in issuing green bonds, or funds designated for environmental initiatives. Professor Sebastien Betermier views Canada’s commitment to sustainability as an advantage over other countries in growing both pensions and sustainability projects in the long term.
