CalSTRS News Archive
CalSTRS news archive
Past news articles, reports and other published materials on CalSTRS programs and investments.
CalSTRS runs more than $246bn for our beneficiaries. Here’s how we’re managing climate risk
Our team at the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) sees climate change as one of the most significant risks facing investors today. Established in 1913 – the same year Earth’s ozone layer was discovered – we have nearly a million members and more than $246bn in assets under management, and we’ve made a promise to provide a secure retirement for our members many decades into the future. Our view is that adjusting and adapting to a low-carbon economy is the best way to fulfill that commitment.
CalSTRS CIO: new derivatives needed to hedge ESG risks
More advanced derivatives are needed to hedge environmental, social and governance risks, so investors can move away from “binary” buy-or-sell choices, says the chief investment officer of the second-largest US pension fund, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System.
Christopher Ailman, CIO of CalSTRS, says the fund has struggled to find “good tools” to hedge ESG risks in its $263 billion portfolio.
We’re aggressively neutral on markets, don’t want to take bets: CalSTRS CIO Chris Ailman
CalSTRS CIO Chris Ailman joins ‘Closing Bell’ to talk about the allocation of U.S. equities as the market recovers some of its steep losses from September.
Note: Total run time 00:02:49.
CalSTRS CIO Ailman sees ESG as investment opportunity
Christopher Ailman, chief investment officer of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), says investors have to take action and be prepared for changes in the energy industry. He speaks during an interview with Bloomberg’s Romaine Bostick and Caroline Hyde on “Bloomberg Markets: The Close.”
Note: Total run time 00:03:25.
China ESG risk: the next unknown
One of the most important, upcoming challenges at CalSTRS is how the fund should evaluate Chinese investments from a human capital and environmental standpoint, said Chris Ailman, chief investment officer at the giant pension fund.
CalSTRS CIO: The market is all about momentum right now
Christopher Ailman, CIO of public pension fund CalSTRS, discusses what’s been driving the volatility in the markets, and how he’s positioning the fund’s massive portfolio.
Note: Total run time 00:07:24.
CalSTRS puts $400m into homebuilding, real estate debt JVs
California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) has approved $200m (€169m) commitment each into real estate debt and US homebuilding joint ventures with Ares Management Corporation and GTIS Partners respectively.
CalSTRS CIO Ailman sees ‘choppy’ recovery outside of tech
Christopher Ailman, chief investment officer of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), says it’s going to take a long time for the U.S. economy to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. He speaks during an interview with Bloomberg’s Romaine Bostick, Caroline Hyde and Taylor Riggs on “Bloomberg Markets: The Close.”
Note: Total run time 00:02:00.
Industry sounds off against DOL proposal on ESG
A Department of Labor proposal that would likely curb environmental, social and governance investments in ERISA plans has drawn sharp criticism from the retirement community.
Beleaguered public pension funds make record gains in second quarter
Public pension funds set a 22-year performance record in the second quarter, recovering some but not all of their losses from the first quarter.
Double-digit stock gains pushed pension returns to a median 11.1% for the second quarter, according to Wilshire Trust Universe Comparison Service.
Even with the rebound, median annual returns for the public pensions whose fiscal years ended June 30 were 3.2%, far short of the funds’ long-term investment-return target of around 7%.
CalSTRS moves on long-term allocation plan
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) has bumped up its target allocation to the real estate asset class from 13 percent to 14 percent as part of a shift to the new long-term asset allocation targets approved in January.
New CalSTRS plan aims to reduce costs, bring more management in-house
California State Teachers’ Retirement System, West Sacramento, on Wednesday adopted fiscal year 2021 business plans for the entire $242.8 billion pension fund and each asset class.
CIO Christopher J. Ailman told the investment committee that the business plans “are actually a critical element” that keeps the team heading in the same direction.
CalSTRS’ master plan to rein in investment costs
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System unveiled a plan to cut investment costs over the next ten years, and one key will be managing more investments in-house.
CalSTRS published the plan online ahead of its upcoming board meeting Wednesday. The $226.8 billion pension fund’s investment committee still has to approve and accept the proposal before it could go into effect.
CalSTRS CIO sees ’sloppy W’ recovery, election risks
Chris Ailman, Chief Investment Officer at CalSTRS, on why its time to rebalance your 401ks, a sloppy W recovery, and rough seas ahead.
Note: Total run time 00:07:48.
CalSTRS joins CalPERS at studying remote work even after pandemic goes away
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System may consider continuing remote working after the pandemic is over, even as it is building a $300 million office building in West Sacramento.
The teachers’ pension fund may follow in the strategy of the Sacramento-based California Public Employees’ Retirement System, whose CEO said this week that she anticipates half of its employees will continue to work remotely after the pandemic goes away as a way to trim costs.
CalSTRS seeks permanent risk-mitigation strategies consultant
CalSTRS is searching for a permanent consultant to assist with manager sourcing and selection for its $20.6 billion risk-mitigating strategies portfolio, according to an RFP.
Yes, Trump can send in military but probably won’t
Chris Ailman, Chief Investment Officer at CalSTRS Investments, discusses the “ridiculous” amount of Fed stimulus to backstop markets.
Note: Total run time 00:29:08.
CalSTRS is skeptical about the market rebound
Amid the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent market volatility, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System’s investment returns are “pretty flat” for the year, according to chief investment officer Chris Ailman.
However, the retirement system remains cautious about the recent market upturn, Ailman said at CalSTRS’s board meeting on Thursday.
CalSTRS searches for Director of Investment Services
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) is searching for a director of investment services to replace Chief Operating Investment Officer Debra Smith, who retired this month.
The senior position on the investments team was created after Smith, who worked at the fund for 24 years, announced her retirement in February. She is expected to stay on for a short time as a retired annuitant to help the pension fund through the downturn.
CalSTRS says climate is major portfolio threat, companies must walk the walk on net-zero
This is the first of a two-part Q&A series with CalSTRS examining prospects on ESG and climate investing through the energy transition. This portion of the discussion explores the rise of ESG, the importance of policy, and what comes next for companies with net-zero commitments.