Episode 35: Compensation in the Asset Management Industry

In this episode, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Samy Muaddi, EM Debt Portfolio Manager at T. Rowe Price, to explore the complexities and opportunities within emerging market debt. With real bond yields at all-time lows, investors are searching for alternatives, and EM debt offers a compelling risk-return profile. Samy breaks down the landscape, covering sovereign and corporate debt, the role of credit quality, and why insurers are increasingly allocating to this asset class.

They discuss key considerations for insurance investors, including managing capital charges, local vs. hard currency exposure, and how EM debt compares to traditional U.S. high yield and bank loans. Samy also shares insights on inflation, populism in Latin America, and why understanding market access is critical for sovereign risk assessment. Finally, he offers career advice for young professionals looking to break into investment management, sharing lessons from his own journey in the industry.