Public Pension Quarterly 4Q2023: Climbing Higher with Multi-Sector Credit
An increase of six percentage points puts our latest estimate of the aggregate funded status of the US public pension system at 83%, marking the biggest jump in quarter-over-quarter funded level change since 2020.
With attractive yields and central bank rate cuts on the horizon, we believe now is the time to increase or initiate fixed income allocations. As more plans look to enhance asset returns and earn income without sacrificing liquidity, multi-sector credit may be one way to achieve those objectives. By uniting all credit sectors into a single portfolio, it can help investors efficiently tap into the best risk-adjusted return potential across the credit spectrum over a market cycle.
In this edition of Public Pension Quarterly, Ron Arons, Multi-Sector Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, and Lindsay Rosner, Head of Multi-Sector Investing within Goldman Sachs Asset Management, discuss the potential value of multi-sector credit for public Defined Benefit pension plans.


RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Equity securities are more volatile than bonds and subject to greater risks. Small and mid-sized company stocks involve greater risks than those customarily associated with larger companies.
Bonds are subject to interest rate, price and credit risks. Prices tend to be inversely affected by changes in interest rates.
High yield fixed income securities are considered speculative, involve greater risk of default, and tend to be more volatile than investment grade fixed income securities.
Investments in foreign securities entail special risks such as currency, political, economic, and market risks. These risks are heightened in emerging markets.
An investment in real estate securities is subject to greater price volatility and the special risks associated with direct ownership of real estate.
Investments in commodities may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity.
Alternative investments often are speculative, typically have higher fees than traditional investments, often include a high degree of risk and are suitable only for eligible, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time. They may be highly illiquid and can engage in leverage and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and risk of loss.
Alternative Investments by their nature, involve a substantial degree of risk, including the risk of total loss of an investor's capital. Fund performance can be volatile. There may be conflicts of interest between the Alternative Investment Fund and other service providers, including the investment manager and sponsor of the Alternative Investment. Similarly, interests in an Alternative Investment are highly illiquid and generally are not transferable without the consent of the sponsor, and applicable securities and tax laws will limit transfers.
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