Our Profession, Investor

Sophisticated Expertise

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is one of the largest institutional fund managers in Canada and North America. It invests the funds of its clients, the depositors, and strives to make profitable investments by using a range of financial products.

These investments are made by teams of portfolio managers and financial analysts. They are supported by other finance specialists, including traders, economists, actuaries, accountants and lawyers. They invest assets under management in accordance with the performance objectives and risk limits established by each depositor.

The depositors are mainly Québec public or private pension funds and insurance plans. They deposit with the Caisse sums they administer on behalf of their contributors. The depositors are responsible for managing the programs and commitments for their contributors (employees, pensioners, beneficiaries, etc.) and for paying them directly their pensions and benefits. The Caisse is a fund manager. It does not administer any pension or insurance plan.

Investment philosophy
The Caisse’s portfolio managers follow six main principles to make profitable investments and achieve an attractive return on the funds entrusted to them. For more information.

WELL-ORGANIZED DIVERSIFICATION
When managing a large portfolio the size of that of the Caisse, the notion of diversification is fundamental in order to:

• Take advantage of the returns offered by the different financial markets;
• Ensure sound risk management;
• Generate the returns depositors expect.

The Caisse makes sure its overall portfolio is well diversified by choosing an asset mix that reflects the investment decisions of all its depositors. The investment teams then pay special attention to the diversification of their respective portfolios by selecting the most promising securities, companies, sectors and countries.

Overall, the Caisse’s investments are widely diversified in three ways: by investment type, by region of the world and by industrial sector.

A socially RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT APPROACH
In exercising its profession, the Caisse acts as a responsible company as it believes that good governance practices, respect for the environment and a contribution to the community have a positive influence on company profitability and growth. For more information. 

A RENOWNED financial strength
The Caisse has built up its reputation as an investor thanks to its leadership, its flair for innovation and its strong results over the long term.

The highest issuer credit ratings were assigned to the Caisse by Moody's Investors Service (Moody’s), Standard and Poor's (S&P) and Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS). These ratings reflect the Caisse’s effective governance and strong financial position. For more information.

CDP Financial's Credit Ratings

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Additional Information
Consult the Caisse’s Latest Annual Report
Breakdown of Portfolio
Corporate Responsibility brochure (PDF)