Shortfalls whip up corporate panic

Pension fund shortfalls have come to the fore as new accounting requirements and credit rating agencies factor them in to assessments of corporate health.

Boots: made an astute move into bonds but hasn’t had a rating benefit; J Sainsbury and Rolls Royce: both on negative credit watch after sticking with equities

DESPITE THREE YEARS of negative returns many pension funds have failed to make any significant changes to their investments, but shortfalls are hurting companies as never before. In an unprecedented move in February, Standard & Poor’s issued a hit list of 12 European companies that might be downgraded because of pension liabilities.

Thanks for your interest in Euromoney!
To unlock this article: