New York’s Common Retirement Fund says it is “reviewing” its hedge fund investments, including the allocation targets for such investments as set in its investment policy.
The Common Fund makes investments for the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) as well as other systems. Pension360 previously covered the fund’s investment policy, which allows for higher allocations towards hedge funds.
Now, the Common Fund is reviewing those allocations. From Business Insider:
“We are currently reviewing our asset allocations with the goal of maximizing our risk-adjusted return on investments,” a spokesman for state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli told Business Insider on Tuesday.
[DiNapoli] stressed that only a small amount of their investments are tied up in hedge funds, however — only about 3.2% or $5.6 billion for the DiNapoli’s fund, for example.
“The target allocation, which is currently under review, was set at 4% in 2009,” DiNapoli’s office added. If he decides to maintain that target, he would actually have to move more money into hedge funds.
[…]
Scott Evans, the chief investment officer of New York City’s retirement system, said the Big Apple’s pension fund has no plans to divest from its investments in hedge funds. He pointed to the relatively small size of the city’s hedge fund investment in his explanation for why he had no plans to eliminate it.
“Hedge funds are an alternative asset class that can help improve the balance between risk and return. They are optional,” Evans said in a statement. “Two of our five systems have opted to pass on those allocations. The other three have allocated 4-5% of assets to hedge funds. We have no current plans to recommend changes to this program.”
A spokesman for the fund later clarified to Business Insider that the review was routine and scheduled, and not connected to CalPERS’ decision to end its hedge fund program.