Inside Fixed Income Manager Research with Marquette Associates

In the latest episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, Robert Morier welcomes Frank Valle, Associate Director of Fixed Income at Marquette Associates, for a thoughtful and practical conversation on manager research, fixed income portfolio construction, and the evolving dynamics of investment consulting.

Frank shares insights from nearly two decades in the industry, offering valuable perspective for both asset managers and institutional allocators. From core and core-plus strategies to satellite exposures like structured credit and emerging market debt, Frank explains what makes a manager stand out—and what makes a process sustainable.

Key topics include:

• The critical role of communication and team dynamics in evaluating investment managers
• Marquette’s four-phase manager review process and how it applies across asset classes
• Attributes that define successful fixed income strategies, including risk positioning and alpha generation
• How Marquette constructs fixed income portfolios for OCIO clients using core, core-plus, and multi-sector approaches
• Trends in investment vehicles, including separate accounts, commingled funds, mutual funds, and ETFs
• The growing relevance of structured credit and enhanced indexing
• Perspectives on private credit, liquidity risk, and the blending of public and private fixed income
• The future of technology and AI in the manager selection process—and the enduring importance of relationships

With higher yields and increased dispersion across credit sectors, the current environment has brought fixed income back to the forefront of institutional portfolios. As interest rates, inflation expectations, and geopolitical risk continue to shape the market, understanding how managers assess credit, manage liquidity, and position portfolios is more important than ever for generating stable, risk-adjusted returns.

Whether you are selecting managers or being selected, this conversation offers a clear window into what matters most to consultants and their clients today.