HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0008) Permanent Fund Investment Policy and Strategy adopted 09.11.18 Redline.pdfCity of Fort Worth
Department of Finance
Investment Policy and Strategy
Fort Worth Permanent Fund
I. INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE
FORT WORTH(,,
It is the policy of the City of Fort Worth, Texas (the "City") that the administration and
investment of all City funds shall be handled in a manner that promotes the highest
public trust. The City Council has designated that certain funds obtained from mineral
rights owned by the City be placed in a trust for benefit of the City, with such trust to be
known as the Fort Worth Permanent Fund (the "Permanent Fund") and to be invested in
accordance with this Policy. Those funds that have been obtained from mineral rights but
not designated as part of the Permanent Fund will be managed as part of the City
portfolio under the City's General Portfolio Investment Policy and Strategy.
This Fort Worth Permanent Fund Investment Policy and Strategy (the "Policy") sets
specific investment and strategy guidelines for funds placed in the Permanent Fund and
establishes controls to ensure effective and judicious fiscal and investment management.
The guidelines are intended to be broad enough to allow active investment within the
Policy parameters yet specific enough to adequately safeguard the assets.
II. GOVERNING AUTHORITY
All Permanent Fund investment activities shall be conducted in full compliance with
applicable City ordinances as well as state and federal regulations. Statutory regulations
generally applicable to the investment of public funds in Texas are found in the Public
Funds Investment Act, Chapter 2256, Texas Government Code (the "Act"), with a specific
provision applicable solely to municipal funds for the management and development of
mineral rights found in Sec. 2256.0202 of the Act, which incorporates by reference The
Texas Trust Code (Subtitle B, Title 9, Property Code). All investments of monies in the
Permanent Fund will be made in accordance with these statutes and this more restrictive
Policy. Collateral requirements are established in Texas by the Public Funds Collateral
Act, Chapter 2257, Texas Government Code.
III. OBJECTIVES
11Page
The Permanent Fund, some portion of which may be maintained as permanent funds as
determined by the City, is to be managed and invested in general accordance with the
Public Funds investmen Act and follow four major investment objectives: safety,
liquidity, diversification and yield.
Safety of principal is the foremost objective of the City's overall investment program, and
safety of principal shall be an objective with respect to the investment of the Permanent
Fund as well. Investment transactions and strategies shall address and consider the
preservation of capital and minimization of capital loss as well as growth. Liquidity is
not critical in the Permanent Fund because these funds are not to be used for ongoing
operational expenses, expenditures, or liabilities. Diversification in portfolio structure is
intended to further protect the Permanent Fund from over- concentration. Growth and
income will be the primary objectives for the Permanent Fund after all other objectives
have been achieved.
IV. STRATEGY
The Permanent Fund is to be invested in designated sub -accounts as per the Gas -Related
Revenue & Expense/ Expenditure Policy. Operating within appropriately established
administrative and procedural parameters, the Trustee shall pursue growth and returns
within Policy parameters. Withdrawals from the Permanent Fund may be made annually
pursuant to the terms of the Trust and will require coordination and planning to
minimize having to recognize unrealized losses. No cash buffer is required on the
portfolio.
The Permanent Fund shall be managed proactively in high credit quality investments.
Securities lending may be used to add incremental income. Strategies shall utilize
competitive bidding where appropriate and other controls as established by this Policy
for all transactions pursuant to the terms of the Trust.
Securities may be sold or swapped if an opportunity exists to benefit from the trade. All
transactions, including swaps must be documented. The Trustee will continuously
monitor the contents of the portfolio, the available markets, and the relative value of
competing instruments to adjust the portfolio in response to market conditions.
V. STANDARD OF CARE
The standard of care to be used shall be the "prudent person' standard as established by
the Act and shall be applied in the context of managing the overall Permanent Fund. The
"prudent person" standard states that:,
2 1 P a g e
"Investments shall be made with judgment and care, under prevailing
circumstances, that a person of prudence, discretion and intelligence would
exercise in the management of the persons own affairs, not for speculation, but
for investment, considering the probable safety of capital and the probable income
to be derived."
In determining whether a Trustee has exercised prudence with respect to an investment
decision, the determination shall be made taking into consideration: (1) the investment of
all funds, or funds under the Trustee's control, over which the Trustee had responsibility
rather than a consideration as to the prudence of a single investment; and (2) whether the
investment decision was consistent with this written investment Policy.
VI. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILTY
City Council
By law, the City Council retains ultimate fiduciary responsibility for the Permanent Fund
regardless of management assignment. The Council shall receive quarterly reports and
annually review and adopt this Policy. The Investment Committee designated by the City
Council is responsible for reviewing and authorizing all broker/ dealers.
Chief Financial Officer
The Chief Financial Officer/Director of Finance (the "CFO" --is responsible for
monitoring the portfolio and reports submitted by the Trustee.
Trustee
The Trustee (the "Trustee") will be responsible for monitoring and controlling the
portfolio in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement for the Fort Worth
Permanent Fund, as amended. The Trustee, with approval of the City, may engage the
services of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered Investment Adviser
(registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940) or a National Bank exempt from
registration to provide the investment management of the Permanent Fund in a manner
consistent with the Policy. The Trustee and the selected Investment Adviser or National
Bank may be affiliated.
The Trustee shall provide timely monthly and quarterly reports to the CFO Chief
Fir.,,,cia Officer/ Diretoo f Finance and Investment Committee in accordance with the
Act and establish internal procedures and controls for the investment process and
financial counter -parties.
In managing the Permanent Fund, the Trustee's use and acceptance of soft dollars shall
be limited by the terms of this paragraph. For purposes of this paragraph "soft dollar"
31Page
shall refer to non -monetary credit offered by an executing broker/dealer in connection
with a purchase or sale. Soft dollar credits may only be used and accepted by Trustee or
a sub -advisor to acquire research for use in the investment decision -making process for
the benefit of the Permanent Fund. As set out in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, prior to accepting or utilizing any soft dollars the Trustee or sub -advisor
receiving the soft dollar credit must have first determined in good faith that the
commissions to be paid on the securities transaction are reasonable in relation to the value
to the Permanent Fund of the brokerage and research provided. If the trade is executed
through Trustee's selected broker/ dealer, Trustee will receive the soft dollar credit. The
Permanent Fund may, as a result, pay somewhat higher commissions for the securities
transaction than what might have been obtainable on a non -soft dollar basis. Trustee may
not utilize or accept soft dollars except in strict compliance with the foregoing terms.
The Trustee shall refrain from activity that could conflict with the proper execution and
management of the Permanent Fund or that could impair their ability to make impartial
investment decisions. Any business or personal relationships with investment counter -
parties shall be disclosed to the CFO Chief F;,.,.,,.,eia Offieer- Pir-,.,,ter- of Finance and the
Texas Ethics Commission.
Investment Committee
The City's Investment Committee will perform a strategy and performance review at
least semi-annually. The Committee will review and act on any potential need for
refinement or revision of the Permanent Fund's policies or strategies. Annually the
Committee will approve all broker/ dealers in accordance with the Act.
VII. AUTHORIZED COUNTER PARTIES
Certification
The Act requires
(1) that a written copy of the investment policy be presented to a business organization
offering to engage in an investment transaction with the Permanent Fund with
"business organization" defined as "an investment pool or investment management
firm under contract with an investing entity to invest or manage the entity's investment
portfolio that has accepted authority granted by the entity under the contract to exercise
investment discretion in regard to the investing entity's funds."
and
(2) that the person or business organization receiving the policy provide a written
Policy Certification, acceptable to both the investing entity and the business
4 1 P a g e
organization and executed by a representative of the business firm, substantially
acknowledging that the business organization has:
a. received and reviewed the Fort Worth Permanent Fund Investment Policy
and Strategy; and
b. implemented reasonable procedures and controls in an effort to preclude
investment transactions conducted between the Permanent Fund and the
organization that are not authorized by the Policy.
If the City retains self -management of the Permanent Fund, copies of this Policy will be
provided to all business organizations offering to engage in an investment transaction
with the Permanent Fund on an annual basis, and a Policy Certification from each such
business organization must be received by the City. If the City engages a corporate
Trustee to serve as an investment management firm under contract, a copy of this
Policy shall be provided to the corporate Trustee, and a Policy Certification will be
obtained from a qualified representative of the Trustee.
No transaction (other than mutual funds) may be completed except in compliance with
this section.
Security Broker/Dealers
The Council appointed Investment Committee will at least annually review and adopt a
list of broker/ dealers which will then be authorized to engage in investment
transactions concerning the Permanent Fund. If the City engages a corporate Trustee to
serve as an investment management firm under contract, the investment management
firm will have the responsibility to ensure all broker/ dealers comply with the
provisions of this policy.
No broker/ dealer or independent Adviser may safe -keep Permanent Fund securities or
funds. All security transactions shall be settled delivery versus payment (DVP) to the
Permanent Fund account. In order to perfect the DVP process, neither the Trustee nor
the safekeeping depository (nor their brokerage subsidiaries) will be approved as a
broker/ dealer.
The Trustee will perform due diligence and maintain information on each
broker/ dealer, including a process to ensure best execution. The Trustee shall review
the performance, financial condition and registration of all qualified counter -parties on
an ongoing basis. Results will be provided to the Investment Committee for review
upon request.
VIII. AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS
51Page
The Permanent Fund shall be invested only in the investments authorized below and
further defined by the Act and Trust Code. If additional types of potential authorized
investments are created by changes made to the controlling statutes, they will not be
authorized until this Policy is amended and adopted by the City Council. All
investment transactions will be placed in an effort to achieve a fair and reasonable
return under all circumstances and in light of other investment alternatives available.
1. Obligations of the United States Government, its agencies and instrumentalities
including mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
(CMO) which pass the Federal Reserve's bank test, with a maximum stated
maturity of twenty (20) years.
2. FDIC insured and/or collateralized depository certificates of deposit from banks
in the United Sates, with a maximum maturity of three (3) years.
3. Commercial paper rated A1/P1 or equivalent by two nationally recognized
rating agencies, with a maximum maturity of 99365 days.
4. AAA or equivalent rated constant dollar, Texas local government investment
pools as defined by the Act.
5. AAA -rated United States Institutional government money market mutual funds.
6. Debt obligations of any state or political subdivision of any US state, rated A or
better with a stated maturity not to exceed ten (10) years.
7. Fully collateralized, direct repurchase agreements executed through a primary
government securities dealer, with a maximum maturity of one (1) year. A Bond
Market Association Master Repurchase Agreement,102% margin, and
independent third party safekeeping are required. (See section IX)
8. Banker's acceptances with a maximum maturity of 120 days accepted by a US
registered bank with a short term rating of not less than A1/P1 by two nationally
recognized rating agencies.
9. Domestic bond mutual funds with a maximum weighted average maturity of ten
(10) years with a Morningstar rating of at least two stars if available. If a fund is
less than three years old and lacks a Morningstar rating, that fund may be
selected only if it has been recommended by an investment management firm
under contract as Trustee of the Permanent Fund.
10. International bond mutual funds with a maximum weighted average maturity of
fifteen (15) years with a Morningstar rating of at least two stars if available. If a
fund is less than three years old and lacks a Morningstar rating, that fund may be
61Page
selected only if it has been recommended by an investment management firm
under contract as Trustee of the Permanent Fund.
11. Domestic or international equity and preferred stock mutual funds with a
Morningstar rating of at least two stars if available. If a fund is less than three
years old and lacks a Morningstar rating, that fund may be selected only if it has
been recommended by an investment management firm under contract as
Trustee of the Permanent Fund.
12. US or international stocks.
13. Real assets, including real estate, commodities and real estate investment trusts
(REITS).
14. Alternative Investments to include hedge funds.
15. Corporate and asset backed securities rated A, or better with a stated maturity
not to exceed ten (10) years.
Securities Lending
If the City has an active securities lending agreement, the Permanent Fund securities
may also be lent by Trustee utilizing the City's agreement as determined by the City
under their written agreement and conditions only.
IX. COLLATERALIZATION
Time and Demand Pledged Collateral
All time and demand deposits placed by the Permanent Fund that exceed the limits of
coverage provided by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation _(FDIC) shall be
transferred to a money market fund or otherwise collateralized in accordance with the
Texas Public Funds Collateral Act with collateral pledged to the Permanent Fund. In
order to anticipate market changes and provide a level of security for all funds,
collateral shall be maintained and monitored by the pledging depository at 102% of
market value of principal and accrued interest on the deposits. The pledging bank shall
monitor and maintain the margins on a daily basis. All collateral shall be subject to
inspection and audit by the City or its internal and external auditors.
Collateral pledged to secure deposits of the Trust Fund assets shall be held by an
independent financial institution outside the holding company of the depository, as
approved by the Trustee, and in accordance with a safekeeping agreement executed
under the terms of the Financial Institutions Resource and Recover Enforcement Act
(FIRREA).
7 1 P a g e
Permanent Fund Owned Collateral Under Repurchase Agreements
Each counter party to a repurchase transaction is required to execute the Bond Market
Master Repurchase Agreement and to provide collateral at a 102% margin and held by
an independent third party custodian approved by the Trustee. The Master Repurchase
Agreement must be fully executed before any transaction is initiated. Collateral will be
evidenced by safekeeping reports/receipts clearly denoting Permanent Fund ownership
from the independent safekeeping agent.
Authorized Collateral
As authorized by the Public Funds Collateral Act and further restricted by this Policy,
acceptable collateral for time and demand deposits and repurchase agreements shall
include only:
- obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities
including mortgage backed securities and CMO that pass the bank test,
and
- obligations of any US state, city, county or authority rated at least A by
two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations.
Collateral will be monitored at least monthly by the Trustee, and each month Trustee
will send City a document listing any current collateral and its market value.
X. DIVERSIFICATION
The City as beneficial owner of the Permanent Fund recognizes that investment risks
can result from issuer defaults, market price changes, or various technical complications
leading to temporary illiquidity. Risk is controlled through portfolio diversification. The
strategy for diversification will be guided by the circumstances then prevailing but will
generally be:
Range Target
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Fixed Income 29-49% 39%
US Obligations
US Agencies/Instrumentalities
Depository Certificates of Deposit
Commercial Paper
Local Government Investment Pools
Money Market Mutual Funds Municipal Obligations
Corporate Obligations (Max. 20.00%)
Asset Backed Securities (Max 10.00%)
81Page
Repurchase Agreements
Bankers Acceptances
Domestic Bond Mutual Funds (Max.10.00%)
International Bond Mutual Funds (Max. 10.00%)
Preferred Stock Mutual Funds
Equities 27-47%
37%
U.S. Large Cap
14.00%
U.S. Mid Cap
5.00%
U.S. Small Cap
3.00%
Intl Developed Markets Equity Mutual Funds
9.00%
Intl Emerging Markets Equity
6.00%
Real Assets 2-12%
12%
Global Public REITS
Private Real Estate
Commodities
Alternative Investment
Hedge Funds - Relative Value
Hedge Funds - Macro
Hedge Funds - Event Driven
Hedge Fund - Equity Hedge
Private Equity
8.00 %
2.00%
2.00%
2-22% 12%
3.00%
3.00%
2.00%
2.00%
2.00%
The diversification percentage guidelines will be measured based on market value.
Fluctuations in cash flows may cause the portfolio to exceed these maximum
percentages for a particular asset class subsequent to the purchase. Securities need not
be liquidated to realign to match the portfolio diversification guidelines.
Because of its tax-exempt nature, the Permanent Fund shall not be invested based on tax
optimized strategies with the goal of improving after-tax returns through active tax loss
harvesting.
XI. INTERNAL CONTROLS
9 1 P a g e
The Chief-Finaneial. Offfiiee l-Pnir,.,,tei: of Finance and Trustee are responsible for
mutually establishing and maintaining an internal and external control structure
designed so that assets are reasonably protected from loss, theft, or misuse.
Competitive Transactions
All investments will be made in an effort to achieve a fair and reasonable return under
market circumstances and in light of other investment alternatives available and shall
utilize market competition where appropriate.
In general, in buying or selling equity or fixed income securities, Trustee shall utilize
electronic communications networks, exchanges, and market makers using the National
Best Bid/Offer consolidated quote system pricing to solicit terms from multiple
industry -recognized third party registered broker/dealers that are included on the
then- current list of approved broker/ dealers. The Trustee shall evaluate all transactions
and brokers for best execution, taking into account a variety of factors including price,
execution and commission costs, size of the order and other unique trading
characteristics, value of research provided, financial responsibility, and the
responsiveness of the brokers.
All bids and offers for fixed income shall be completed using at least three
broker/ dealers whenever possible to make certain of fair and competitive pricing in the
market. In the event three bids cannot be obtained, Trustee shall use market variables to
determine best price, including but not limited to: competitive pricing, market
condition, sector, liquidity, and credit conditions. The Trustee shall not use margin
accounts.
Delivery vs. Payment
All trades of marketable securities shall be executed (cleared and settled) on a delivery
vs. payment (DVP) basis to ensure that securities are deposited in the Permanent Fund
safekeeping institution prior to the release of funds.
Monitoring Credit Ratings
The Trustee shall monitor, on no less than a weekly basis, the credit rating on all
authorized investments in the portfolio based upon independent information from a
nationally recognized rating agency. If any security falls below the minimum rating
required by this Policy, the Trustee shall (i), within two business days of downgrade,
notify the Chief-Finaneial O�fkeer iI:14-r ,,-tor- of Fina ee of the loss of rating within two
business days of the occurrence and (ii), within four business days of downgrade, notify
the Chief-Finaneial OffieeM/Pir-,,, ter- of F;,.,anee of conditions affecting the rating and
available liquidation options, including associated loss of principal, before any action is
taken, provided however, that in extreme situations where the Trustee determines in
10 1 Page
the exercise of its reasonable discretion that immediate liquidation is prudent, Trustee
shall be authorized to liquidate immediately but shall be required to provide the City
with notice of such liquidation by the close of the following business day.
XII. SAFEKEEPING
All security transactions will be settled on a delivery versus payment basis and held in
the Permanent Fund by the Trustee, the City's depository or other Trustee -contracted
safekeeping institution independent from any security transactions or trade counter -
parties. All safekeeping functions will be performed by the Trustee. The Trustee as
safekeeping agent shall provide monthly statements on all security positions held by
the Permanent Fund.
XIII. REPORTING
Monthly Reporting
No less than monthly, the Trustee will submit a report to the Chief-Finaneial
Off,n ,,, I]Diweete„ of Finanee and Investment Committee. The report will, at a minimum,
comply with the statutory requirements for quarterly reporting below.
Quarterly Reporting
No less than quarterly, the Trustee will prepare and submit a report to the Investment
Committee. The report will comply with provisions of the Act governing Internal
Management Reports and will contain, at a minimum, the following:
a. detailed description of each investment position as of the date of the
report including market values, market yield and earnings;
b. summary statements for the Permanent Fund including:
(1) amortized book value for individual fixed income securities, market
values, market yield, and earned income,
2) beginning and ending market value for the reporting period,
(3) change in market value (volatility measure) for the reporting period,
(4) yield for the fixed income portion of the portfolio for the reporting
period,
(5) total return for the entire portfolio for the reporting period,
(6) weighted average maturity, as applicable, and
(7) asset class returns and benchmark returns for the reporting period.
111 Page
The quarterly report shall include a statement of compliance for the portfolio as it
relates to the Fort Worth Permanent Fund Investment Policy and Strategy and be signed
by the Chief -Financial Officer and Trustee.
Prices used for calculation of market values will be obtained from an independent
source.
Benchmark: Risk Measurement
The benchmarks for risk measurement and performance of the Permanent Fund
portfolio will be divided among the asset classes as outlined below.
- The benchmark for the fixed income portion shall be the Barclays' 1-5 Year
Government/ Credit Index for the comparable period.
- The benchmark for the equity portion shall be a total return equal to a
composite of the total return of S&P 500 for stocks and the EAFE for
international investments comparable to the then -current makeup of the
portfolio for the comparable period.
- The benchmark for the real assets portion shall be the FTSE NAREIT All
Equity REIT Index for the comparable period.
- The benchmark for the commodities portion shall be the Dow Jones UBS
Commodities Index for the comparable period.
- The benchmark for the alternative investment portion shall be the HFRX
Global Hedge Fund Index for the comparable period.
XIV. ADOPTION
The Fort Worth Permanent Fund Investment Policy and Strategy shall be reviewed by
the Investment Committee and adopted by the City Council at least annually. The
adopting resolution shall include any changes made to the Policy.
Policy Adopted:
April 16, 2013 (M&C G-17857)
Policy Reviewed and Approved:
July 15, 2014 (M&C G-18244)
May 5, 2015 (M&C G-18466)
September 15, 2015 (M&C G-18552)
September 26, 2017 (M&C G-19117) (Amended Authorized Investments and
diversification requirements and guidelines)
September 11, 2018 (M&C G-19359)
12 1 Page