Leaving PIMCO.com

You are now leaving the PIMCO website.

Skip to Main Content
Investment Strategies

Three Layers of Active Portfolio Construction

Mohit Mittal, PIMCO's CIO of Core Strategies, discusses the value that active fixed income brings to portfolios, particularly in taking advantage of structural inefficiencies in global markets.

Text on screen: PIMCO

Text on screen: PIMCO provides services only to qualified institutions and investors. This is not an offer to any person in any jurisdiction where unlawful or unauthorized.

Skov: Mohit, how are you?

Mittal: Very good Kimble, nice to see you.

Skov: Good, thank you for your time, I really appreciate it.

Mittal: My pleasure.

Skov: So, as you know, the core strategies at PIMCO are extremely important for our clients. And before we get into the burning question as to why bonds now,

Text on screen: Kimble Skov, Senior Vice President, Account Manager

I thought you could help us by telling us a little bit about your background here at PIMCO prior to becoming CIO of our core strategies. I think our viewers would find that interesting.

Mittal: Certainly. Yeah. I've been at the firm now 17 years.

Text on screen: Mohit Mittal, CIO Core Strategies

Over the last 17 years I've been here I've had the tremendous pleasure of working with some of the most talented individuals in this industry. I've worked across our rates products, treasuries, across our corporate credit area quite significantly.

I've been a permanent member of our investment committee for seven years, and then over the last 10 years, I've worked on our total return strategies.  

Skov: Perfect. And we're definitely going to capitalize on that expertise. So, thanks again for helping us out here today. So with that, let's grab a seat in our conference center.

Mittal: Of Course.

Images on screen: PIMCO Conference center

Skov: Mohit, this is a very special room for PIMCO here at our conference center. The design, the circular table, the stadium seating, it almost facilitates debate amongst its participants. Do you mind telling us a little bit about this conference center?

Mittal: Yeah. This conference center is indeed very unique for us. I still remember my very first presentation at the PIMCO forum in 2008 when I was presenting, and Dr. Allen Greenspan who was then the advisor, asked me a question about decoupling between different central banks. Over the last 18 years and then going back to our history over the last 40 years, we have maintained that same level of intellectual rigor as we discuss macroeconomics in this forum.

We look to bring our specialists, all our investment professionals and actively seek their ideas. So this conference room is certainly designed to bring out all the perspectives across our global investment teams.

Skov: Excellent. So forums happen quarterly and provide the guardrails for longer term views. Let's talk about portfolio construction or more to the point why active management for fixed income?

Mittal: Yeah, I think fixed income provides a very healthy opportunity set to be able to add value through active management.

Full page graphic: Adding value through active management

Image on screen: The graphic shows Mohit speaking on the right and  triangle on the left: the triangle has four buckets with callouts on the right side; the smallest, top bucket is called Opportunistic Expressions; the second, slightly larger bucket is called “Thematic Views”; the third larger bucket is called “Structural Opportunities“; and the fourth and largest bucket is called  “Passive Benchmark”. 

Through active management, investors can achieve potential returns that are above what might be achievable in a passive context. There are a few main reasons for that. First is the structural inefficiencies in the fixed income markets.

We believe there are structural inefficiencies across the rates market in the treasury spline curve, across the mortgage market between different coupons and then across the credit market based upon ratings, as well as balance sheet related concerns. So these structural inefficiencies provide that first source of excess return or alpha in fixed income.

The second is through what we would call thematic views. This is where we would bring in all of our macroeconomic expertise, our robust bottom-up analysis, as well as our valuation frameworks to take active views that are somewhat different from the market and thereby add additional potential excess return or alpha on top of that is what is provided by structural opportunities.

And the third is what we would categorize as opportunistic expressions. Opportunistic expressions more recently include global relative value. So that opportunistic expression around rates, as well as currencies can be that additional source of excess return, thereby, allowing investors to capture a meaningfully higher return potential relative to what is offered by passive indices.

Skov: Okay. So along those lines, the hallmark of the PIMCO strategy really is an active, well diversified core portfolio, the ballast, if you will, in a client's overall asset allocation. Mohit, thank you so much for joining us today.

Text on screen: For more insights and information, visit pimco.com

Text on screen: PIMCO

Disclosures


Past performance is not a guarantee or a reliable indicator of future results.

All investments contain risk and may lose value. Investing in the bond market is subject to risks, including market, interest rate, issuer, credit, inflation risk, and liquidity risk. The value of most bonds and bond strategies are impacted by changes in interest rates. Bonds and bond strategies with longer durations tend to be more sensitive and volatile than those with shorter durations; bond prices generally fall as interest rates rise, and low interest rate environments increase this risk. Reductions in bond counterparty capacity may contribute to decreased market liquidity and increased price volatility. Bond investments may be worth more or less than the original cost when redeemed. Diversification does not ensure against loss. Management risk is the risk that the investment techniques and risk analyses applied by an investment manager will not produce the desired results, and that certain policies or developments may affect the investment techniques available to the manager in connection with managing the strategy.

This material contains the opinions of the manager and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed.

PIMCO as a general matter provides services to qualified institutions, financial intermediaries and institutional investors. Individual investors should contact their own financial professional to determine the most appropriate investment options for their financial situation. This is not an offer to any person in any jurisdiction where unlawful or unauthorized. | Pacific Investment Management Company LLC, 650 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 is regulated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. | PIMCO Europe Ltd (Company No. 2604517, 11 Baker Street, London W1U 3AH, United Kingdom) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (12 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN) in the UK. The services provided by PIMCO Europe Ltd are not available to retail investors, who should not rely on this communication but contact their financial adviser. . Since PIMCO Europe Ltd services and products are provided exclusively to professional clients, the appropriateness of such is always affirmed. | PIMCO Europe GmbH (Company No. 192083, Seidlstr. 24-24a, 80335 Munich, Germany), PIMCO Europe GmbH Italian Branch (Company No. 10005170963, via Turati nn. 25/27 (angolo via Cavalieri n. 4), 20121 Milano, Italy), PIMCO Europe GmbH Irish Branch (Company No. 909462, 57B Harcourt Street Dublin D02 F721, Ireland), PIMCO Europe GmbH UK Branch (Company No. FC037712, 11 Baker Street, London W1U 3AH, UK), PIMCO Europe GmbH Spanish Branch (N.I.F. W2765338E, Paseo de la Castellana 43, Oficina 05-111, 28046 Madrid, Spain) and PIMCO Europe GmbH French Branch (Company No. 918745621 R.C.S. Paris, 50–52 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France) are authorised and regulated by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) (Marie- Curie-Str. 24-28, 60439 Frankfurt am Main) in Germany in accordance with Section 15 of the German Securities Institutions Act (WpIG). The Italian Branch, Irish Branch, UK Branch, Spanish Branch and French Branch are additionally supervised by: (1) Italian Branch: the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB) (Giovanni Battista Martini, 3 - 00198 Rome) in accordance with Article 27 of the Italian Consolidated Financial Act; (2) Irish Branch: the Central Bank of Ireland (New Wapping Street, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 D01 F7X3) in accordance with Regulation 43 of the European Union (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017, as amended; (3) UK Branch: the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (12 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN); (4) Spanish Branch: the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV) (Edison, 4, 28006 Madrid) in accordance with obligations stipulated in articles 168 and  203  to 224, as well as obligations contained in Tile V, Section I of the Law on the Securities Market (LSM) and in articles 111, 114 and 117 of Royal Decree 217/2008, respectively and (5) French Branch: ACPR/Banque de France (4 Place de Budapest, CS 92459, 75436 Paris Cedex 09) in accordance with Art. 35 of Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments and under the surveillance of ACPR and AMF. The services provided by PIMCO Europe GmbH are available only to professional clients as defined in Section 67 para. 2 German Securities Trading Act (WpHG). They are not available to individual investors, who should not rely on this communication. According to Art. 56 of Regulation (EU) 565/2017, an investment company is entitled to assume that professional clients possess the necessary knowledge and experience to understand the risks associated with the relevant investment services or transactions. Since PIMCO Europe GMBH services and products are provided exclusively to professional clients, the appropriateness of such is always affirmed. | PIMCO (Schweiz) GmbH (registered in Switzerland, Company No. CH-020.4.038.582-2, Brandschenkestrasse 41 Zurich 8002, Switzerland). According to the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act of 23 June 2006 (“CISA”), an investment company is entitled to assume that professional clients possess the necessary knowledge and experience to understand the risks associated with the relevant investment services or transactions. Since PIMCO (Schweiz) GmbH services and products are provided exclusively to professional clients, the appropriateness of such is always affirmed. The services provided by PIMCO (Schweiz) GmbH are not available to retail investors, who should not rely on this communication but contact their financial adviser. | PIMCO Asia Pte Ltd (8 Marina View, #30-01, Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960, Registration No. 199804652K) is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as a holder of a capital markets services licence and an exempt financial adviser. The asset management services and investment products are not available to persons where provision of such services and products is unauthorised. | PIMCO Asia Limited (Suite 2201, 22nd Floor, Two International Finance Centre, No. 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong) is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission for Types 1, 4 and 9 regulated activities under the Securities and Futures Ordinance. PIMCO Asia Limited is registered as a cross-border discretionary investment manager with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Korea (Registration No. 08-02-307). The asset management services and investment products are not available to persons where provision of such services and products is unauthorised. | PIMCO Investment Management (Shanghai) Limited. Office address: Suite 7204, Shanghai Tower, 479 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong, Shanghai 200120, China (Unified social credit code: 91310115MA1K41MU72) is registered with Asset Management Association of China as Private Fund Manager (Registration No. P1071502, Type: Other). | PIMCO Australia Pty Ltd ABN 54 084 280 508, AFSL 246862. This publication has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of investors. Before making an investment decision, investors should obtain professional advice and consider whether the information contained herein is appropriate having regard to their objectives, financial situation and needs. To the extent it involves Pacific Investment Management Co LLC (PIMCO LLC) providing financial services to wholesale clients, PIMCO LLC is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence in respect of financial services provided to wholesale clients in Australia. PIMCO LLC is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under US laws, which differ from Australian laws. | PIMCO Japan Ltd, Financial Instruments Business Registration Number is Director of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (Financial Instruments Firm) No. 382. PIMCO Japan Ltd is a member of Japan Investment Advisers Association, The Investment Trusts Association, Japan and Type II Financial Instruments Firms Association. All investments contain risk. There is no guarantee that the principal amount of the investment will be preserved, or that a certain return will be realized; the investment could suffer a loss. All profits and losses incur to the investor. The amounts, maximum amounts and calculation methodologies of each type of fee and expense and their total amounts will vary depending on the investment strategy, the status of investment performance, period of management and outstanding balance of assets and thus such fees and expenses cannot be set forth herein. | PIMCO Taiwan Limited is an independently operated and managed company. The reference number of business license of the company approved by the competent authority is (112) Jin Guan Tou Gu Xin Zi No. 015 . The registered address of the company is 40F., No.68, Sec. 5, Zhongxiao East Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City 110, Taiwan (R.O.C.), and the telephone number is +886 2 8729-5500. | PIMCO Canada Corp. (199 Bay Street, Suite 2050, Commerce Court Station, P.O. Box 363, Toronto, ON, M5L 1G2) services and products may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose. | Note to Readers in Colombia: This document is provided through the representative office of Pacific Investment Management Company LLC located at Carrera 7 No. 71-52 TB Piso 9, Bogota D.C. (Promoción y oferta de los negocios y servicios del mercado de valores por parte de Pacific Investment Management Company LLC, representada en Colombia.). Note to Readers in Brazil: PIMCO Latin America Administradora de Carteiras Ltda.Av. Brg. Faria Lima, 3477 Itaim Bibi, São Paulo - SP 04538-132 Brazil. Note to Readers in Argentina: This document may be provided through the representative office of PIMCO Global Advisors LLC AVENIDA CORRIENTES, 299, Buenos Aires, Argentina. | No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America LLC in the United States and throughout the world. ©2024, PIMCO.

CMR2024-0909-3846649

Featured Participants

Tell us a little about you to help us personalize the site to your needs.

Terms and Conditions

Please Read the Terms & Conditions
{{!-- Populated by JSON --}}
Select Your Location

Americas

Asia Pacific

Europe, Middle East & Africa

  • The flag of Europe Europe
  • The flag of France France
  • The flag of Spain Spain
Back to top