The $2.7 billion Fresno County (Calif.) Employees Retirement Association plans to place Western Asset Management on watch for performance, said Roberto Pena, retirement administrator. WAMCO ran $208 million in core-plus fixed income for the fund as of July 31, according to data on the pension funds website.
Staff still believes WAMCO can continue to add value in the long run, said Mr. Pena. The board will vote on the move at its Sept. 17 meeting, he said.
Mary Athridge, WAMCO spokeswoman, declined to comment.
Also at the Sept. 17 meeting, the board will consider finalists NEPC, Mercer and incumbent Wurts & Associates in the search for a general consultant.
The board on Oct. 1 will consider whether to terminate Artisan Partners from a $59.8 million small-cap growth equity portfolio for performance, said Mr. Pena. If terminated, the money will be moved to Kalmar Investment Advisers, the pension funds other small-cap growth manager, which runs $66.5 million.
Karen Guy, managing director at Artisan, declined to comment.