The French SWF, FRR, is preparing to invest more in equities and illiquid assets as important reforms extend its time horizon. With the coronavirus crisis delaying the asset allocation decisions the fund is operating in an "intermediate context", slowly shifting out of bonds and into equities.
Even for long term investors who pride themselves on the big picture and horizons stretching far into the future, the unprecedented change of recent weeks is hair-raising. Enough liquidity on hand to take advantage of buying opportunities once they arise and comfortably pay benefits is crucial. We look at the strategies of investors around the world in response to the market conditions.
In the six months Kasper Lorenzen has been CIO of the Danish fund, PFA, he has made moves in investment and decision-making that have resulted in the fund weathering the short-term coronavirus storm. He is however, wary of the long-term structural changes particularly to patterns of globalisation.
In the past 20 years the number of SWFs has grown from 20 to more than 100 with their assets estimated to grow by $500 billion a year. So where do they invest and what impact are they having on the market? Sarah Rundell investigates.
Oregon Investment Council has committed to investing $3 billion a year in private equity, with the smooth pacing strategy part a response to the fund’s overweight position to poor performing vintages as a result of its allocations before and after the GFC. The investor is also focusing on manager relationships with a focus on accessing new relationships and upsizing the best existing ones; and a new strategy that sees no provider in charge of more than 5 per cent of the portfolio.
A strategic and long-term focus sees the Minnesota State Board of Investment CIO, Mansco Perry, adopt a patient and encouraging approach when it comes to climate change and diversity. The $104 billion fund is also looking to expand its allocation to private markets, and double its internal team.
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