To our valued clients,

While the third quarter may be behind us, the market uncertainty ‒ and resulting turbulence ‒ that marked it is likely to remain. Amid the near-and long-term challenges of a pending rate hike in the U.S. and the global implications of a slowing China, our clients are looking for direction on how to best navigate the risks on behalf of their clients, while delivering on their investment needs. At PIMCO, we believe that helping our clients make well-informed decisions is a valuable form of “alpha” in the competitive landscape of asset management. To that end, I would like to take this opportunity to acquaint you with the customized services of PIMCO’s Solutions Group.

The Solutions Group ‒ an expert team of 30+ investment strategists, 10 quantitative analysts and four dedicated software developers ‒ harnesses PIMCO’s investment acumen and extensive analytics and risk management resources to analyze our clients’ current portfolio risks as well as potential opportunities. To address our clients’ diverse investment challenges, the team utilizes proprietary tools developed and used on PIMCO’s trade floor, which include portfolio risk-factor analysis, stress testing and optimization. Additionally, the group leverages PIMCO’s forward-looking return and correlation expectations to deliver targeted, product-agnostic advice.

Examples of the client issues the Solutions Group has helped address, include:

• Quantifying the impact of rising rates on your existing portfolio, and help you analyze and structure an optimal allocation strategy for your clients
• Evaluating the effectiveness of alternatives and liquid alternatives in a portfolio and how best to incorporate them
• Comparing risk factors across managers in a Morningstar category, such as Non-Traditional Bond

Your Account Manager is available to discuss how the PIMCO Solutions Team can help you deliver on you clients’ investment goals in this increasingly complex market environment.

As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions. Please reach out to your PIMCO Account Manager or to me directly at RIA@pimco.com with your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Kevin Winters