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The contested role of asset consultants

Asset consultants are a key part of the investment chain, providing small funds with services that include decision making processes and strategic asset allocation, and for larger funds traditionally playing a key role in manager and strategy selection. But a study by Gordon Clark and Ashby Monk, which is part of a broader look by […]
Amanda WhiteAugust 14, 2015
Research

Re-intermediating investment management

In this paper, Ashby Monk and Rajiv Sharma from the Global Projects Center at Stanford University, examine the balance of power among the various parties in the private assets investment food chain. They argue that fund managers have too much power, as do the consultants that act as gatekeepers to those managers. While the authors […]
Amanda WhiteJuly 22, 2015
Research

Fees eat diversification’s lunch

The balance between the allocating to the right number of asset classes and over-diversification is a concern for pension fund investment executives and committees. A new paper by professors at the US Air Force Academy examines the relationship between fees of diversifying asset classes and their diversifying benefits. The paper finds that, in many cases, […]
Amanda WhiteJanuary 30, 2015
Asset Classes

Costs cast increasing doubt over hedge fund relevance

The inability to scale hedge fund exposures and risks, has led many large investors, like CalPERS this week and ATP last year, to exit their hedge fund programs. Complexity continues to be a drain on the relevancy of hedge funds, but importantly cost is driving the agendas of these investors. As AQR’s Cliff Asness admits, […]
Amanda WhiteSeptember 17, 2014
Sustainability

Investigating long-term mandates

The PRI is investigating the experiences of asset owners that have engaged service providers in long-term mandates, and conducting a literature review on long-termism, in a bid to develop a reference guide on how to implement a long-term mandate and drive long-term behaviour.   Managing director of PRI, Fiona Reynolds, said the starting point, and […]
Amanda WhiteAugust 15, 2014
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