The Latest
Investor Profile

The importance of resilience

Already OPTrust’s portfolio can best be described as resilient. But CIO James Davis, who started his career in October 1987, expects global macro economic changes from this crisis that we have never seen before and he wants to position the portfolio for whatever is around the corner.
Amanda WhiteMay 13, 2020
Investor Profile

CalPERS: Leverage, liquidity, inflation

In this Fiduciary Investors series podcast Amanda White talks to Ben Meng, chief investment officer of CalPERS, the largest pension fund in the United States. Meng, who oversees an investment office of nearly 400 employees and manages investment portfolios of roughly $400 billion, talks about the fund’s plan to achieve its 7 per return target - including the use of leverage – the liquidity management of the fund and how it could deploy capital during the crisis, and the inflation.
Amanda WhiteMay 12, 2020
Investor Profile

Harvard endowment goes net zero by 2050

The Harvard endowment is about half way through its transition to external investment management and will work with its service providers to implement the university’s new directive, to position the portfolio in line with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Amanda WhiteMay 7, 2020
Investor Profile

The importance of governance in a crisis

From December to mid-March of this year New Zealand Super lost 20 per cent of its assets. It’s the second time in less than 18 months the fund has experienced a significant drop in assets but in an example of how good governance and process can allow for counter cyclical behaviour the fund is now buying equities.
Amanda WhiteApril 29, 2020
Investor Profile

London’s CIV talks pooling progress

The coronavirus is an unprecedented test for the UK’s eight Local Government Pension Scheme asset pools. The London Collective Investment Vehicle, the pooling manager for the pension assets of London’s 32 boroughs has lost 15 per cent of the value of its portfolio for the month, and CEO Mike O’Donnell says ensuring liquidity and diversification are priorities in the months ahead.
Sarah RundellApril 23, 2020
Investor Profile

Wisconsin leans into opportunities

In the space of three months the State of Wisconsin Investment Board has moved its portfolio from “defensive” to “offensive” as it “leans into the opportunities” presented by the coronavirus crisis. CIO and executive director David Villa, and deputy, Rochelle Klaskin spoke to Amanda White about the portfolio and how the large internal team is managing remotely.
Amanda WhiteApril 22, 2020
Investor Profile

Korean fund faces unique challenge

The KRW14.3 trillion ($12 billion) Korea Public Officials Benefit Association is sitting on more than 10 per cent cash, but in a unique challenge due to the coronavirus crisis, it is having trouble deploying capital. Amanda White spoke to CIO, Dong Hun Jang, about the options including listed alternatives and distressed opportunities.
Amanda WhiteApril 17, 2020
Investor Profile

Liquidity, rebalancing reign at PSERS

Cash is king right now, according to CIO of the Pennsylvania School Employees’ Retirement System, Jim Grossman, and he’s got plenty of it. The fund has a very diversified asset allocation, with about half the portfolio invested in liquid assets and Grossman and his team are working hard to make sure that the strategic allocations are maintained.
Amanda WhiteApril 6, 2020
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