Laserfiche WebLink
6.B. - Page 2 of 46 <br />ANALYSIS <br />The attached investment report indicates that as of March 31, 2020, funds (excluding cash with fiscal <br />agents) from all sources were producing an annual earnings rate of 2.13%. This is down from 2.25% for <br />the quarter ending December 31, 2019. The market value of the portfolio as of March 31, 2020 was <br />$279,755,297. This includes the funds held in the San Mateo County Treasurer's investment pool and with <br />the State Treasurer's investment pool. All of these investments comply with the City's investment policy. <br />The City has sufficient liquid resources available to meet expenditure requirements for the next six <br />months. <br />The portion of the City's portfolio that is managed by PFM has a total market value of $168,678,516. As <br />of March 31, the portfolio was earning an annual yield at cost of 2.24%, and the yield at market was 0.99%. <br />The average maturity of the portfolio was 2.78 years. <br />The market benchmark, selected with consultation from the City Council Finance/Audit Subcommittee, is <br />the Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA ML) 1-5 year U.S. Treasury Index. Below is a table summarizing <br />the City's portfolio performance compared to the benchmark, for the period ending March 31, 2020. <br />As expressed in the attached report, although the U.S. economy entered the year on strong footing, <br />conditions deteriorated quickly as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold across the globe. There is still much <br />uncertainty regarding the continued spread and duration of the novel coronavirus, and forecasts for <br />economic growth vary greatly among economists. Some expect a sharp contraction followed by a quick <br />rebound, and others forecast a more protracted contraction followed by a gradual recovery. <br />Treasury yields plunged in response to the Fed's new zero interest rate policy, with longer-term Treasury <br />yields reaching new historic lows. These moves led to positive returns on Treasury indices, and as a result, <br />the City's portfolio delivered strong absolute performance for the past quarter and the past year. This <br />gain is likely to continue through the second quarter of 2020. <br />However, in a move reminiscent of 2008, yield spreads on all other asset classes spiked as investors <br />grappled with unprecedented uncertainty. The portfolio's diversification in asset classes that normally <br />create significant economic benefit was a major detractor. This diversification caused the portfolio to <br />underperform its U.S. Treasury benchmark. <br />Markets have calmed significantly in recent weeks, largely as a result of the massive intervention by the <br />Federal Reserve. This enabled non-government holdings to regain some market value relative to U.S. <br />Treasury securities. PFM's Credit Committee and Investment Committee are meeting several times a week <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore <br />Total <br />otal Return <br />Effective <br />Yield <br />Portfolio/Benchmark <br />raided <br />turn Quarter <br />mce Inception <br />DuratioiWarklet <br />raturityerage <br />3/31/20 <br />(12/31/16) <br />A <br />Treasury <br />As expressed in the attached report, although the U.S. economy entered the year on strong footing, <br />conditions deteriorated quickly as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold across the globe. There is still much <br />uncertainty regarding the continued spread and duration of the novel coronavirus, and forecasts for <br />economic growth vary greatly among economists. Some expect a sharp contraction followed by a quick <br />rebound, and others forecast a more protracted contraction followed by a gradual recovery. <br />Treasury yields plunged in response to the Fed's new zero interest rate policy, with longer-term Treasury <br />yields reaching new historic lows. These moves led to positive returns on Treasury indices, and as a result, <br />the City's portfolio delivered strong absolute performance for the past quarter and the past year. This <br />gain is likely to continue through the second quarter of 2020. <br />However, in a move reminiscent of 2008, yield spreads on all other asset classes spiked as investors <br />grappled with unprecedented uncertainty. The portfolio's diversification in asset classes that normally <br />create significant economic benefit was a major detractor. This diversification caused the portfolio to <br />underperform its U.S. Treasury benchmark. <br />Markets have calmed significantly in recent weeks, largely as a result of the massive intervention by the <br />Federal Reserve. This enabled non-government holdings to regain some market value relative to U.S. <br />Treasury securities. PFM's Credit Committee and Investment Committee are meeting several times a week <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore <br />