Spring 2010
Issue Features
- Managing Liquidity in the Private Equity Market
- Bringing DB Discipline to DC Investing
- Scrutinizing the Fixed-Income Landscape
- International Completion Strategies
Column: Voices
Departments
Online Exclusive
Room for International Investment Growth in Portfolios
June 2010
The majority of institutional investors don’t take advantage of international investment opportunities.
A recent Point of View online poll found that 75% of respondents feel that their international portfolios do not accurately represent the full range of investment opportunities available in the global market. And of those, the majority indicated that factors such as risk profile and investment guidelines prevent them from making changes.
According to Stefanie Hest, senior investment strategist, Northern Trust global index management group, the top U.S. defined benefit (DB) funds allocate roughly one-third of their portfolios to international funds. “Considering global benchmarks, such as MSCI, allocate at least half of their index to non-U.S. markets, U.S. DB funds are leaving a significant amount of opportunity on the table.”
For example, although investing in emerging markets small cap might be deemed too risky for certain funds, adding these securities can broaden diversification, thereby possibly reducing risk. In addition, the possibility of higher returns might justify the added risk.
Hest notes that developed small-cap, emerging small-cap and frontier sub asset classes — which comprise $2 trillion of market cap or 12% of the $16.5 trillion total international equity opportunity set — are less correlated to the global economy and can offer diversification to a portfolio.
“Performance over the past decade also shows the attractiveness of frontier, emerging markets and developed international small-cap equities on a risk/return basis,” Hest says. These asset classes have had higher returns, but with increased annualized volatility.
Investors should consider shifting to newer, more complete total international equity benchmarks, Hest concludes. In doing so, investors can incorporate a truly international equity mix into their portfolios.
© 2013 Northern Trust Corporation
northerntrust.com
Past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future. Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs or expenses. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance is based upon information provided by the index providers. There are risks involved with investing, including possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee that the investment objectives of any fund or strategy will be met. Risk controls and asset allocation models do not promise any level of performance or guarantee against loss of principal.
This material is directed to eligible counterparties and professional clients only and should not be relied upon by retail investors. For Asia Pacific markets, it is directed to institutional investors, expert investors and professional investors only and should not be relied upon by retail investors. This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation for any investment strategy or product described herein. This information is not intended as investment advice and does not take into account an investor’s individual circumstances. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change at any time without notice. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy and interpretation are not guaranteed.
Asset management at Northern Trust comprises Northern Trust Investments, Inc., Northern Trust Global Investments Limited, Northern Trust Global Investments Japan, K.K., the investment adviser division of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Company of Connecticut and its subsidiaries to offer investment products and services to personal and institutional markets. Northern Trust Global Investments Japan, K.K. is regulated by the Japan Financial Services Agency. The Northern Trust Company has a branch in China mainly regulated by the China Banking Regulatory Commission, People’s Bank of China and State Administration of Foreign Exchange. The Northern Trust Company of Hong Kong Limited is regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. In Singapore, Northern Trust Global Investments Limited (NTGIL), Northern Trust Investment, Inc. and Northern Trust Company of Connecticut, Inc. are exempt from the requirement to hold a Financial Adviser’s Licence under the Financial Advisers Act and a Capital Markets Services Licence under the Securities and Futures Act with respect to the provision of financial services. In Australia, NTGIL is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence under the Corporations Act 2001 in respect to the provision of financial services. NTGIL is regulated by the FSA under U.K. laws, which differ from Australian Laws.