Bessemer, Betting on Bonds, Reduces Large-Cap Holdings

Bessemer Trust Co., the well-heeled money management firm, tinkered with its investment strategy late last month to reflect its bullish outlook for bonds.

The company, which manages investments for 700 wealthy individuals, pulled back to 37% the amount of assets in its balance account invested in U.S. large cap stocks. Nine months ago, assets devoted to large caps stood at 45%.

The change occurred when Bessemer invested some of the portfolio's cash in long bonds.

"The easy money phase has happened," said senior executive vice president Timothy J. Morris, Bessemer' chief domestic investment officer. "If we are wrong about the bond market we would do no worse than we would if we put this money back in stocks."

The quintessential family office, Bessemer was founded by steel magnate Henry Phipps. The New York-based company has about $12 billion under management, on which its year-to-date gain is 17%.

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