In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, welcomes Jennifer Taylor, Head of Emerging Market Debt and Senior Portfolio Manager at State Street Investment Management, for a timely and insightful discussion on the current state of EM debt. Jennifer shares her career journey from early roles in hedge funds to leading sovereign debt strategies, offering valuable perspective on how emerging markets have evolved—and why they continue to present compelling yet complex opportunities for institutional investors.

 

The conversation explores why State Street Investment Management takes a beta-first approach to emerging market debt, emphasizing diversification across sovereign issuers and efficient benchmark exposure. Jennifer explains the differences between sovereign and corporate EM debt, discusses the role of U.S. policy as a dominant market driver, and shares how her team helps clients customize exposures based on unique constraints and objectives. This episode is essential listening for insurance investment professionals looking to better understand one of the most dynamic areas of global fixed income.