AI’s influence on fixed income markets is only just beginning and its eventual effects will become more apparent as time progresses. Even at this point, however, certain things are clear.
The on- and off-stage antics at the extravagant Milken Global Conference in Los Angeles tell us a lot about where institutional capital is right on the money – and where it is putting its head in the sand.
Norge Bank Investment Management chief executive Nicolai Tangen conceded the $2.1 trillion fund is “not satisfied” with the performance of its real estate portfolio, as weakness in the asset class was a main contributor to three consecutive years of negative relative returns. All eyes are now on whether its overhauled strategy, which includes new structures and sector composition, can turn things around.
APG has successfully shifted its smaller pension fund clients to the new defined contribution pension system and now begins the huge task of moving the giant ABP as well. The defined contribution system has many implications including shedding more than 1000 staff at APG and moving investments more into riskier assets.
AP2 has voiced its concerns around what impact the shift in US shareholder proposal exclusions, or the so-called “no-action letter” change, will bring to sustainability-conscious investors, as the Swedish buffer fund gears up for a busy year of engagement in 2026.
Nest, the largest workplace pension in the UK, says that private credit managers who prioritise institutional clients will be more favourably viewed. The £61 billion ($82 billion) fund has awarded a £450 million ($605 million) US direct lending mandate to Crescent Capital this month, citing the manager’s institutional-client-first approach as a key attraction.
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