Scott Evans
Showing 1–2 of 2 transcripts.
- Milken Institute58 min
The Hunt for Yield: Risk-Free Return or Return-Free Risk?
James Mackintosh, Scott Evans, Robert Kricheff, AJ Murphy, Anne Walsh, Andrew Whittaker, James McInstosh, Bob Krychev
A panel of institutional investors and asset managers characterizes the fixed-income market as being in a late-stage bull phase with historically tight spreads, prompting a strategic shift toward defensive positioning despite a consensus that the environment remains distinct from the speculative excesses of 2007-2008. While participants are reducing exposure to overvalued assets like U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities and wary of liquidity risks from passive investing and covenant-lite debt, they continue seeking yield premiums in sector-specific opportunities such as second-lien loans and selective high-yield issuers. This cautious approach reflects concerns that corporate leverage remains elevated and that potential macroeconomic catalysts, including fiscal policy changes and geopolitical shifts, could abruptly alter the trajectory of an otherwise extended credit cycle.
- Milken Institute1h 7m
Taking the Long View: The Dangers of Short-Termism
Scott Minerd, Christopher Ailman, Scott Evans, Vicki Fuller, Hiromichi Mizuno
Representatives from major funds including GPIF, CalSTRS, New York State, and New York City convened to advocate for shifting from quarterly transparency to long-term "permanent ownership" strategies that prioritize corporate governance over short-term market volatility. The panelists unanimously criticized outdated fee structures and bureaucratic hiring constraints, proposing aggressive reforms such as clawback provisions, in-house management expansion, and a transition of U.S. public pensions into quasi-commercial entities to secure top-tier talent. By aligning compensation models with actual performance and redefining passive management as active stewardship, these leaders aim to sustain multi-decade return objectives amidst a landscape of near-zero bond yields and intense public pressure for immediate results.