TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the Investment Report for Quarter Ending March 31, 2012. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Department of Financial Management, City Treasurer's Office, invests the City's funds in compliance with the California Government Code, Section 53600 et seq., and the City's Investment Policy. As of March 31, 2012, these funds had a market value of approximately $1.81 billion, with approximately $808 million, or approximately 45 percent of funds, maturing within six months, ensuring that sufficient funds are available to meet the City's liquidity needs.
Statutory Compliance
All investment transactions have been executed in conformance with the City's Investment Policy and the California Government Code. According to the California Government Code, the maturity term of all investments is limited to a maximum of five years, unless the local agency legislative body gives prior approval to exceed this limitation. The City's Investment Policy currently requires that all funds invested in the City's investment pool not exceed a weighted average maturity of three years. In addition, the Investment Advisory Committee, composed of the Assistant City Manager, the Deputy City Auditor, Assistant City Attorney, Director of Financial Management, City Treasurer, City Controller, Budget and Performance Management Bureau staff, and designated representatives from the Harbor, Water and Development Services departments, meets monthly, or as needed, to review investment policies, strategies and performance.
Investment Pool Rating
As of March 31, 2012, Standard and Poor's reaffirmed the City's investment portfolio rating of AAAf and one of the lowest volatility ratings of S1. This rating confirms the safety of the City's invested funds and qualifies the investment pool as an alternative investment for proceeds from bonds issued by the City.
Investment Performance
The City Treasurer's Office invests in a variety of fixed-income securities that vary in maturity from one day to five years (excluding the Health Select Auction Variable Rate Securities loan) as authorized by the City's Investment Policy and the California Government Code. The City's adopted 2012 Investment Policy divides the City's investment portfolio into a short-term, intermediate-term and a long-term portfolio whose benchmarks are the Three-Month Treasury Bill, One-Year Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT) and the Merrill Lynch One-to-Five Year Treasury/Agency Index, respectively. All are market indices that change daily; therefore, actual returns can vary depending on book yields and security calls before the final maturity date. The weighted average book yield for the period was 0.42 percent (annualized). Book yield represents the return received on the total investment portfolio on an annualized basis.
On March 31, 2012, the City's investment pool market yield was 0.33 percent (annualized). During the quarter, the average short-term benchmark increased five basis points, while the intermediate-term benchmark increased by three basis points. The long-term benchmark increased by one basis point. The following table summarizes the City's investment pool market yield and performance for the quarter ending March 31, 2012:
* Weighted Average Maturity assumes securities are not called or sold prior to the actual maturity date. ** Benchmark Return and Market Yield of Portfolio are at quarter end.
The following table summarizes the purchase yield of the new investments versus the average benchmark yield in the short-term portfolio by month for the quarter ending March 31, 2012:
* 91-Day T-Bill and other returns listed are weighted averages for the period. **Purchase Yields stated to maturity assume the securities are not called or sold prior to the maturity date.
The following table summarizes the purchase yield of the new investments versus the average benchmark yield in the intermediate-term portfolio by month for the quarter ending March 31, 2012:
* One Year CMT and other returns listed are weighted averages for the period. **Purchase Yields stated to maturity assume the securities are not called or sold prior to the maturity date.
The following table summarizes the purchase yield of the new investments versus the average benchmark yield in the long-term portfolio by month for the quarter ending March 31, 2012. Our Investment Advisor, Chandler Asset Management, manages the long-term portfolio through activity pre-approved by the City Treasurer or a designated representative before execution.
* Merrill Lynch One-to-Three Year Treasury/Agency Index and other returns listed are weighted averages for the period. **Yields are stated to maturity and assume the securities are not called or sold prior to the maturity date.
As of March 31, 2012, the City's investment in the State Treasurer's Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) pool was under $100,000.
The City's investment pool consists of all City funds except certain bond and special assessment district proceeds. The non-pooled investments are invested separately in accordance with bond indenture provisions or other legal requirements. A complete listing of investment balances, portfolio distribution and performance values can be found in Attachment A.
Short-Term Strategy
The City has adopted an investment strategy for the short-term portfolio that maintains sufficient liquidity within a rolling 12-month period to satisfy the City's cash needs.
Intermediate-Term Strategy
The City has adopted an investment strategy for the intermediate-term portfolio that maintains a weighted maturity of one year and provides cash needs for maturities greater than six months.
Long-Term Investment Strategy
Chandler Asset Management manages the long-term portfolio and given historically low interest rates, the Investment Advisory Committee has recommended a temporary strategy to benchmark the long-term portfolio to the One-Three Year Treasury/Agency Index.
Cash Management Goals
The City's cash management goals are to maintain and preserve the safety of funds in custody and provide adequate liquidity for anticipated expenditure needs.
This matter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Charles Parkin on April 24, 2012 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 27, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
This item is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact or local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Gross
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER