Updated
Updated · Top1000funds.com · Jul 2
Ohio STRS Cuts Equity Targets by 13 Points as $108 Billion Fund Warns on Recession Risk
Updated
Updated · Top1000funds.com · Jul 2

Ohio STRS Cuts Equity Targets by 13 Points as $108 Billion Fund Warns on Recession Risk

1 articles · Updated · Top1000funds.com · Jul 2

Summary

  • Ohio STRS said US recession risk has risen materially over the next 12 months, with internal managers assigning a 23% probability even as the fund keeps steady Fed rates and trend growth as its base case.
  • The $108 billion pension is responding by trimming long-term equity targets—domestic to 19.25% from 26% and international to 15.75% from 22%—while adding Treasuries, core-plus fixed income and a 7% liquid-alternatives target.
  • Liquidity is a central concern for the fund, which has about $4 billion in annual negative cash flow; it raised its liquidity Treasury allocation to 5.5% and created a new 3% long Treasury portfolio.
  • Private markets remain a major outlet for capital, with $1.1 billion-$1.5 billion of new private-equity commitments and $1.4 billion-$2.2 billion for private credit, alongside a property shift toward residential and industrial assets.
  • The changes come as the plan's funded ratio stands at 81% and its key long-term risk remains missing its 6.42% actuarial return target, a threat that would worsen if recession coincides with negative portfolio returns.

Insights

By slashing stocks for 'safer' assets, can the fund still hit the high returns needed to secure teacher retirement benefits?
Is Ohio's multi-billion dollar pivot to private credit a savvy move or a risky gamble on an already overheating market?