Persistence

Persistence
The Data Advantage: Applying Quant Research in Private Equity Portfolio & Risk Management
Hedge Funds – Still The End of An Era?
Networking
Crypto…What the Hell Just Happened??!!
Rising inflation and rising rates, a turnaround in public markets, and policy and geopolitical uncertainties have all presented challenges to this asset class in the last year. This roundtable will discuss the current landscape for private equity investors, and aim to develop appropriate tactical responses for investment portfolios.
From global supply chain disruptions to decade-high inflation, from soaring commodity prices to geopolitical instability… the investing outlook across all asset classes seems more volatile than ever. How should allocators and investors think about risk and return in the current environment? Will traditional investment strategies need to evolve in the face of rapid changes to the macro landscape?
Increased government spending combined with the search for stable returns and recurring yield in a rising interest rate environment has prompted investors to steadily increase their allocations to infrastructure over the last ten years. This has contributed to growth in the private infrastructure market, now one of the fastest growing segments of the private fund universe. This panel will examine the global outlook for infrastructure investments and discuss how the demand for infrastructure assets relates to the current trends in the energy space.
Refreshments available
This panel will discuss the global outlook for investing in alternatives and explore newer strategies for diversified alpha. Are the best opportunities now outside the traditional markets? And from GP stakes to litigation funds, what are the unique strategies that are being developed in this new investing landscape?
A panel discussion focusing on the lower middle market investment space (<$10mm of EBITDA), a market that has traditionally been more insulated from the competition and valuation risks seen elsewhere. Market fragmentation, lack of institutional capital backing, and less access to debt have provided sustainable barriers to entry. However, investors must balance the advantages of investing in this market with certain inherent risks often present–less developed management teams, risks to exogenous shocks, customer concentration, etc. This panel will consider the opportunities inherent in investing in the lower middle market.
Allocations to real asset investments – including real estate, natural resources, and agriculture, among others, have been increasing as investors sought attractive total returns over the long term, while maximizing the potential for real returns in periods of rising inflation. The current inflationary environment, political uncertainty, housing affordability, technology disruption and climate change all pose threats and potential opportunities to a diversified portfolio. This roundtable will review strategies for positioning institutional investor portfolios using real assets.
Refreshments available
Volatile market conditions driven by a myriad of factors including some signs of a slowdown in global growth, domestic policy, technology disruption, and geopolitical instability, pose significant challenges to traditional investment strategies. Managers are evolving in the face of market pressures to diversify their product base, increase asset stability and develop customized solutions to meet client needs. In some cases, this has included a move into closed-end / longer lock-up strategies. Join our panel as they explore these issues, and potential solutions, from both the investor and manager perspectives.
2022 was marked by strong shifts in VC investing worldwide, on both a deal and dollar volume basis. The landscape for technology, startups, and the economy has rapidly changed; competition for investment opportunities has increased, and firms face increased scrutiny from regulators and the public. Do these market shifts represent a cooling off period, or a more permanent change in the market? How should investors and allocators think about the role of VC? Join our panelists for a discussion of the challenges and the opportunities facing venture capital now, and for the years to come.
A discussion of the outlook for private debt: an asset class that became the third largest private market strategy thanks to the positive macro factors such as negative real rates and accommodative monetary and fiscal policy. Our roundtable will discuss the impact of the sharp reversal in those factors, as well as discuss the major trends and themes of credit quality, liquidity, and regulation.
Refreshments available
How have the key risks and opportunities across sectors impacted asset allocation decision making? What key concerns are most frequently voiced from their constituents regarding portfolio investment strategy and performance? Join our roundtable of leading CIOs to discuss the key themes that are driving investment decisions across the portfolio.