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
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

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!