Wealth funds to pour billions into shares worldwide

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) are preparing to pour billions of dollars into shares around the globe as they take advantage of low prices in the latest stock-market collapse.

Mike Burns, the executive director of the $40bn Alaska Permanent Fund, told The Independent on Sunday that the SWF’s board will meet on Friday to discuss moving hundreds of millions of dollars from fixed-income products, such as bonds, to shares.

Tysons Corner Center just a piece of oil-backed Alaska wealth fund’s portfolio

Tysons Corner awaits a Metro stop that will connect it more closely to Washington, but the sprawling shopping mall is already linked to a place even farther away: Alaska.

The Alaska Permanent Fund, the state’s sovereign wealth fund, owns half of Tysons Corner Center, just one piece of a $38 billion portfolio amassed in the four decades since the state’s coffers started overflowing with oil revenue.

Global Ideas From Alaska's Sovereign Wealth Fund

Tony Gray's book 1,000 miles From Wall Street extolled the clarity investors can find far from the noise and haste of financial centers. In the wake of recent volatility, perhaps an idea from 3,000 miles away could be even better.

Juneau, Alaska is home to the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, the locus of a roughly $40 billion state fund. While small by the standards of Middle East sovereign wealth funds, the Alaska Permanent Fund is unique among states. The fund found its genesis in the state's oil wealth and it has paid a dividend to every resident since 1982. The amount is based on a five-year average of the fund. Founded in 1980, the APFC is frequently cited as among the most transparent sovereign wealth funds in the world, and its history, investments and historical performance can be viewed at its website.