Topic

Explainers

Coverage, charts, video and research on Explainers for universal owners.

Latest in Explainers
Institutional Investing

NZ Super Fund, Explained

The New Zealand Superannuation Fund is a Crown entity managing long-term capital to support New Zealand's public pension scheme. It operates under a legislative framework emphasizing diversified, patient capital deployment.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
Institutional Investing

EPF Malaysia (Employees Provident Fund), Explained

The Employees Provident Fund is Malaysia's mandatory pension scheme and one of Asia's largest institutional investors. It serves as the primary retirement savings vehicle for private sector employees.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
Institutional Investing

Endowment Model vs Total Portfolio Approach: A Comparison

Institutional investors increasingly debate whether Yale's endowment model of alternatives-heavy diversification or integrated total portfolio management better serves long-term capital preservation and growth.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
Institutional Investing

Investment Policy Statements (IPS) for Institutional Investors, Explained

An investment policy statement (IPS) is the foundational governance document for institutional investors, establishing investment objectives, risk parameters, and manager mandates. It operationalizes fiduciary duty and provides accountability across market cycles.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
Institutional Investing

Private Equity vs Hedge Funds: How Institutions Choose

Institutional investors choose between private equity and hedge funds based on liquidity needs, return expectations, and capital deployment timelines. Each serves distinct roles in diversified long-term portfolios.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
Private Markets

Private Equity Returns Over 10 Years: What the Data Shows

Ten-year private equity returns have delivered competitive performance for institutional investors, though vintage-year selection and fee drag remain critical variables. Current market conditions are reshaping return assumptions.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
Institutional Investing

SWF vs Pension Fund Investment Horizons: How They Differ

Sovereign wealth funds and pension funds operate under fundamentally different temporal constraints. SWFs pursue multigenerational strategies unconstrained by member withdrawals, while pension funds must balance actuarial liabilities with predictable cash flows.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
Institutional Investing

The Active vs Passive Debate in 2026: Where Institutions Stand

Major asset owners are abandoning binary active-passive choices, instead layering passive equity exposure with concentrated active bets in alternatives and illiquid markets. Fee compression and performance disappointment continue reshaping institutional allocation.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
Pension Funds

Pension Fund Returns in 2025: How the Largest Funds Performed

The world's largest pension funds reported divergent 2025 performance, reflecting regional market conditions and strategic asset allocation choices. Equity volatility and rate environments shaped outcomes across North America, Europe, and Asia.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
Sovereign Wealth Funds

Middle East Family Offices: Capital, Strategy, and Investment Themes

Middle East family offices represent a significant but fragmented investor base, deploying capital across private markets and international equities. These institutions increasingly emphasize ESG frameworks and economic diversification aligned with Vision 2030 and national development agendas.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
Sovereign Wealth Funds

Sovereign Wealth Fund Transparency: How Funds Are Ranked

The Linaburg-Maduell Transparency Index evaluates sovereign wealth funds against 30 governance and disclosure benchmarks. Most major funds remain opaque on holdings and strategic allocation, with scores clustering between 5 and 8 out of 10.

UAO Editorial · Jul 6, 2026
The Daily Brief

The morning briefing for the people who allocate long-horizon capital.

Research, charts, video and podcast analysis for the institutions investing at the scale of the world.