Cashed-up CalSTRS positions for opportunities in volatile markets

CalSTRS has plenty of cash as it positions for opp
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CalPERS’ private markets chief: TPA won’t disrupt PE commitment pacing

CalPERS’ private markets chief: TPA won’t disrupt PE commitment pacing

Anton Orlich, CalPERS' newly minted deputy chief investment officer for private markets, says the fund’s July adoption of the total portfolio approach will not impede the private equity strategy launched in 2022, arguing that short-term relative-value calls made under TPA would be expressed in liquid markets and not by oscillating commitments to private markets. In an interview with Top1000funds.com, Orlich unpacks the asset class’s four-year transformation.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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