Regulator publishes market oversight report for trustees on market volatility

The Regulator has published a report entitled Market oversight: Market volatility and what trustees should do, which sets out its insight into DB and DC schemes' response to the current market environment and highlighting risks of which trustees should be aware.

The Regulator expects all schemes to have high standards of investment governance so that they can make good decisions on behalf of savers in all economic conditions. It recognises that recent trade and geopolitical tensions brought about by US trade tariffs continue to drive market volatility. In particular, concerns around inflation, interest rate movements and global growth are contributing to a dynamic and unpredictable investment environment. Elevated volatility is likely to persist for some time as the impacts of the trade tensions and central government policy responses feed through.

In the report, the Regulator identifies five key areas where DB trustees should focus: 

• Scheme liquidity and cashflow management.
• Investment strategy and risk management.
• Governance and operational resilience.
• Covenant and employer considerations.
• Opportunities and funding level changes. 

It also identifies three key areas where DC trustees and their advisers should focus:

• Member communications to help members make informed decisions.
• Investment and risk management.
• Strategic oversight. 

The Regulator has been increasing its focus on investments by doubling its number of investment consultants and changing its structure to be more outcome and market focused. This is in line with its shift in approach to a more prudential style regulator where risks are monitored at an individual scheme level as well as those related to the market and wider financial system.

It aims to continue to monitor how the current market environment is impacting pension schemes, and will update its level of engagement with schemes and guidance where appropriate.