Private markets are the cornerstone of CalPERS’ 2030 goal and strategic destination which will include building capabilities inhouse for direct investing. A number of new appointments, including Daniel Booth and Anton Orlich, have boosted the skills in the team. Amanda White spoke to CIO Nicole Musicco.
The investment team at New Jersey Division of Investment explain why they are bullish on private credit, and flag trends in increasingly large capital raises by external managers. This risks pension fund assets not being allocated but sitting with ‘asset gatherers’ more focused on management fees.
CalPERS stands out among its global peers with three women leading the organisation as chair, CEO and CIO. Amanda White spent time (on zoom) with the group to find out what drives the leadership team and how collaboration and a shared mission are creating an innovative investment culture.
Timo Löyttyniemi, CEO at VER is focused on how the fund’s asset managers have handled the impact of higher interest rates in private markets. It’s about to become apparent if they’ve successfully hedged interest rate risk; re-financed, and reduced total leverage levels to manage higher borrowing costs.
Executive director of France’s SWF, Olivier Rousseau, a long-time critic of grindingly low bond yields which he has called a “tragedy” for pension funds, can’t hide his enthusiasm for today’s environment of higher interest rates and fiscal tightening after a decade of financial repression.
Since joining the Connecticut retirement plans as CIO just under two years ago, Ted Wright has developed a new strategic asset allocation that has bumped up the allocation to private assets. Top1000funds.com talks to him about risk budgets, a manager shakeup and diversity.
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