Muskan Arora

Markets Group •

Swiss CIO on adopting Yale’s and Oaktree’s strategies for portfolio growth | MarketsGroup

By Muskan AroraFabien Delessert, Co-CEO/CIO of the $7.4
billion FCT Pension Group, takes inspiration from both Howard Marks and David Swenson. To focus on "second-level
thinking" to avoid common investment pitfalls, the CIO looks to Howard
Marks, co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management, focusing on "second-level
thinking" to avoid common investment pitfalls, and to David Swensen, the former CIO of the Yale Endowment for the fund’s governance and portfolio management.This strategic blend has ser...
Markets Group •

CalPERS CIO lobbies for a total portfolio approach | MarketsGroup

By Muskan AroraMaking a case to move CalPERS’ portfolio as a whole, rather than asset class by asset class, Chief Investment Officer Stephen Gilmore attested for the nation’s
largest pension plan to change its strategy. Gilmore, heading the
$519.6bn pension plan, believes that a total portfolio approach would improve
the way the plan makes investments. It would also make the staff accountable for investments.The total portfolio approach would be a significant change
from the traditional strategi...
Markets Group •

Maryland tries to combat risks through its new climate-focused panel | MarketsGroup

By Muskan AroraFollowing the approval of the board, the $66bn
Maryland State Retirement and Pension System aims to combat technology risk,
business model risk and portfolio fit through the new climate-focused panel. Appointed by the Board, the Climate
Advisory Panel will consist of at least three outside experts in the analysis
of climate change risk who are experienced in climate science or climate
economics, as confirmed by spokesperson Katherine Morris. “I am inspired by the groups that are
t...

Connecticut plans ahead for co-investment activities in 2025 | MarketsGroup

By Muskan AroraThe $59.6bn State of Connecticut Treasurer’s Office earmarked
$6.7bn as a pacing plan for its private market allocations for this year. There has been a significant reduction to the year's pacing plan compared to last year, which was at $25.6bn, as per the recent
meeting materials. While private equity has faced a reduction in pacing from
$17.8bn pacing in 2024 to $2.8bn this year; the pension plan seems optimistic
about real estate (RE) allocations this year despite RE pulling do...

What to consider if there is a U.S. China divestment mandate? | MarketsGroup

By Muskan AroraStates around the US, are taking the initiative to
divest from China and prohibiting pension plans from making new allocations. However, in a surprising turn of events, the
second-time-President Donald Trump held off on imposing tariffs on China during his first day
back and did not single the country out as a threat. Furthermore, he also delayed the ban on the Chinese-owned short video app TikTok. This might be indicative of a new beginning.
While that still remains a question, m...
Markets Group •

CIO Molly Murphy adopts core-satellite approach for alpha | MarketsGroup

By Muskan AroraWith an instinct first and data second
ideology, CIO Molly Murphy of $24.5bn Orange County Employees Retirement System
looks to Warren Buffet every time there is a market correction to have cash
when it “matters the most and to be able to deploy it boldly”. Murphy, who joined the pension plan in 2017,
has been responsible for its growth from approximately $15bn to $24.5bn, as the
system remains in a favorable cash position. Holding a background in bond markets,
Murphy has develope...
Markets Group •

UNJSPF focuses on sustainability and carbon reduction for alpha | MarketsGroup

By Muskan AroraCEO Pedro Antonio Guazo Alonso looks to the approaches of Bertrand Million, head of sustainability at CDPQ and Claudia Kruse, chief sustainability and strategy officer at APG Asset Management if facing a challenge leading the $95.4bn United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. When asked what sets the UN Pension Fund apart from other pension funds, Pedro Guazo, Representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the UNJSPF assets and Chief Executive of the Office of Investm...

New Mexico PERA has added two new strategies in its fixed income portfolio, while eliminating EM Debt portfolio | MarketsGroup

The Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico, headed by chief investment officer Michael Shackelford, has added bank loans and long-term government bond strategies to its fixed income sleeve, alongside eliminating its EM Debt portfolio.


The $16.3 billion pension plan, as presented by consultant Meketa, allocates 6.5% to long term government bonds and 9.8% to its bank loans sleeve within its Fixed Income bucket, as per to the recent allocation changes.

New Mexico PERA has also in

Maryland Plans $400 Million Allocation to its Infrastructure Sleeve this Year | MarketsGroup

In an interview with Markets Group, the CIO of State of Maryland Retirement and Pension System, Andrew Palmer spoke about allocating $400 million this year to stay on the path to reach their infrastructure target by 2026. Allocations to real estate managers are expected to be muted while above target and the real estate market is slow.


In recent times, global political distress and fluctuating interest rates have shaken up most allocator’s portfolio and the $64 billion pension system are no d

Alaska Permanent Hikes Private Equity And Private Income Targets | MarketsGroup

The $78.6 billion Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation increased its private equity and private income targets, while reducing its real estate targets following an asset allocation study.

Private equity target, for fiscal year 2025, was increased to 18% from 15%, private income’s target increased to 10% from 9%. Real estate faced a decrease to 11% from 13% and tactical opportunities and cash to 1% each from 2% each, effective from July 1.

“The relative case for private equity is stronger than it

Exclusive: NYC CIO Steven Meier Discusses Strategies and Sectors for AI Investments | MarketsGroup

Steven Meier is the chief investment officer for $278 billion New York City Retirement Systems, which includes New York City Employees' Retirement System (NYCERS), the Teachers' Retirement System for the City of New York (TRS), the New York City Police Pension Fund (POLICE), New York City Fire Pension Fund (FIRE), and the New York City Board of Education Retirement System (BERS). As fund managers and allocators gravitate towards investing in AI, Meier discussed the strategies and sectors he find

Data Centers to Become the Epicenter of AI Investments, Here’s What the Leaders Have to Say | MarketsGroup

Investors and consultants will ramp up their allocations to data centers through real assets and infrastructure portfolios, to support the growth of AI.

Steven Meier, who handles the $278 billion New York City retirement systems which includes five separate funds, seeks to make investments in software, chip development, data centers and sustainable energy infrastructure.

Keeping in mind AI’s impact on energy and environment, Meier says there are significant opportunities in debt strategies tha

Black Rock’s CEO Larry Fink Emphasizes to Federal Thrift the Importance of AI Infrastructure | MarketsGroup

Larry Fink, CEO and chairman of Black Rock indicated huge growth opportunities in AI infrastructure to build out the next generation of technology and power.

Fink believes in the need for infrastructure owing to how AI is utilizing power and energy.

In the recent board meeting of $725 billion Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, Fink said, “a more pragmatic approach to power and energy would be a combination of decarbonization and investing in hydrocarbons, for cheap and affordable ener
The Independent •

Glasgow student to drive ambulance to Rafah border to help evacuations from Gaza

A Glasgow student is set to drive an ambulance to the Egypt-Gaza border to provide medical relief and to help evacuate civilians from Gaza.On Thursday March 21, Umran Ali Javaid, a mature student at Glasgow Caledonian University, will set off from Glasgow in a second-hand ambulance equipped with a portable neonatal ventilator, providing breathing support for ill babies.Travelling for “about six to seven days” to reach the Rafah border between Egypt and Gaza, his journey will see him take a ferry...

Microsoft unveils Windows Server 2025, discards WordPad

Microsoft's desktop and server operating system share numerous internal similarities and a common code base, but the more recent editions of Microsoft Server are significantly differentiated from the desktop operating system - and this looks set to continue. However, the matching build numbers may raise questions about the updated branding for Windows Server while Windows 11 retains its 2021 branding - for now at least.

In addition to the new branding the tech giant also revealed improvements i
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The Independent •

Huge mystery monolith is mistaken for UFO after appearing on hill

Walkers have been left bewildered by a strange 10ft monolith that appeared on a hill in Wales.Craig Muir came across the alien structure, which actually turned out to be a shiny, silver monolith – a large single upright block of stone – during his regular hike up Hay Bluff, in Powys, Wales, on Tuesday.Mr Muir, who lives in Hay-on-Wye and is in his thirties, said: “When I first saw it, I was a bit taken aback as it looked like some sort of a UFO.“It seemed like a very fine metallic almost like a...

How hypothyroidism changes your relationship with food

If you do feel this way, you are not alone. Due to inconsistent and abnormal weight gain, hypothyroidism does change your relationship with food. Despite attaining hormonal (T3 and T4) balance, the changed relationship with food can lead to deteriorating mental health.

Carmel (34) was unaware of her hypothyroid until she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease when she was in her mid-twenties. She recalls how during high school she had an abnormal relationship with food. She would starve herself
Sky News •

Ukraine's Missing Children

It's the sort of photo everyone will recognise. A group of friends or classmates, perhaps cousins or relatives. This is a family of sorts, bound by an extraordinary fate which saw these children caught up in one of the Ukraine war's most chilling crimes: Russia's unlawful deportation of thousands of children.

This is the story of their ordeal at gunpoint, their incredible escape and the bravery of one woman - who risked everything to save them.

Last Christmas, Natalya Lutsyk cooked 15 differen
Metro •

Sky-high rent, long commutes and little party time - welcome to uni life today

Talking about her university experience so far, student Louisa Shapton admits that on some mornings, she would find herself just bursting into tears.

That’s because for Louisa, and many other students living in the shadow of a pandemic while hurtling headfirst into a cost of living crisis, uni life is nothing like it said in the brochure.

Remote learning, lack of friends and little appropriate or affordable accommodation have all taken away any first tastes of freedom university once offered t
Medium •

The Quarantine Disaster

The lockdown has capsuled us in our houses and most of us are either hungry or sleepy. I tried baking chocolate chip cookies for the first time. Like a noob, I googled secure recipes of famous bakers and wearing my visionary chef’s entered the kitchen the next morning. My mother was troubled by the thought of me being alone in the kitchen and couldn’t resist storming into the kitchen with her army. In a strained way, she hushed me out of the kitchen. But I could not let the chef inside me die ev

Gwenno Slams St David’s Hall Privatisation As “Selling Venue Down The River.”

As Cardiff Council rushes through plans to hand the beloved St David’s Hall over to a commercial operator, artists and performers are joining those protesting to save the venue’s future.

Performers and artists in Wales have rounded on Cardiff Council over its plans to allow a private firm to take over the running of St David’s Hall – one of the city’s most treasured public venues.

Acclaimed musician, singer and DJ Gwenno lambasted the move as one which sells the venue “down the river to neolib
Medium •

Our senior citizens are in danger!

Our senior citizens are in danger!

Throughout the lockdown cases of rapes and assaults of females have been reported by the media, from minors to senior citizens, are women actually safe in India?

Recently in Uttar Pradesh, a 74-year-old lady was admitted to the hospital after a lung infection was diagnosed. At night, when the male nursing staff, who was in deep sleep and under the influence of alcohol, got annoyed by the constant request of the lady to take her to the washroom. They tied the
Cardiff Uni TV •

Breaking Taboos // Men's Mental Health

Join us at CUTV as we talk to Shresth Goel and Marco Ricci about the importance of Men's Mental Health. This unconventional conversation was a tricky topic but fun one at the same time! Through this video we hope to start more conversations around men's mental health. We look at how it can be sparked and the stereotype's that surround men which we should start to dismantle!

We would love to hear what you think and to start a conversation with us and others in the comments below.

Credits:
Anchor/Director: Muskan Arora
Editor: Charlotte Carswell
Nation.Cymru •

My experience of culture shock as an international student in Wales

Stepping out of the London Heathrow airport, I recall the adrenaline rush in my body and slight goosebumps on my arms.

I had travelled for over eleven hours carrying all the inhibitions, doubts and excitement along. As I located the Cardiff University’s welcome team, I was ready to reach Cardiff and taste the true essence of freedom. The eighteen-year-old me was ready to fly.

My first day in Cardiff was a rollercoaster of emotions, as I was missing my family but was excited to experience a new
Business News Wales •

Resonating with Journos of the Future

Resonating with Journos of the Future

Resonating with Journos of the Future

Cardiff University student, Muskan Arora has praised Business News Wales’ upcoming Journos of the Future scheme.

Journos of the Future, a new initiative that will see the students mentored by members of the BNW team, is set to begin in November.

She adds that schemes like Journos of the Future will open a student\s skillset in a wider way.

Journos of the Future will see Business News Wales’ Multimedia Production Man
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ABOUT MY PASSION AND ME

Cardiff University graduate in BA Media Journalism and Culture

International multimedia journalist with a passion for empowering people through effective storytelling. Previous experience covering some of the biggest moves of the alternative asset management industry, the latest technology news, and youth-oriented stories based on the latest political and cultural news. Experience working in both Indian and UK newsrooms. Always on the lookout for the next challenge!