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7 Major Findings - Commonfund Benchmarks Study of Healthcare Organizations

September 11, 2018 |
1 minute read
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Fifty-six healthcare organizations participated in the 2016–2017 Commonfund Benchmarks Study® of Healthcare Organizations. These organizations reported an average investable asset pool of $2.1 billion as of December 31, 2017, and median investable assets of $987.0 million as of the same date. (Investable assets include endowment/foundation funds, funded depreciation, working capital and other separately treated assets).

Thirty-two participating organizations reported an average DB plan market value of $2.0 billion as of year-end 2017, while the median market value of their DB plans as of the same date was $481.0 million. The Study separates data from the 56 participants into three size cohorts: institutions with investable assets over $1 billion; those with investable assets between $501 million and $1 billion; and those with investable assets under $501 million. Following is a summary of the major findings in the report. 

Summary of Major Findings

1

The 13.2 percent 2017 return on investable assets was the highest return since 13.3 percent reported for 2013. (Returns are reported net of fees.)

2

Long term (the trailing 10-year period) average annual returns remain below 5.0 percent (4.6 percent for 2008 to 2017).

3

The 2017 investable assets allocation to alternative strategies declined to 25 percent from 28 percent in 2015, continuing the reversal of a trend that reached its high point with an allocation of 31 percent in 2013.

4

Allocations in 2017 to U.S. equities and fixed income were moderately higher than they were in 2015 but remain well below the upper 30 percent/lower 40 percent level reported when the Study commenced (for 2002).

5

Professional staff devoted to managing the investment function showed an increase among institutions with assets under $501 million, where the average number of full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) more than doubled to 1.1 in 2017 versus 0.4 FTE in 2015.

6

Returns on defined benefit (DB) plan assets were higher than those earned by investable asset pools. This may be attributed, in part, to a larger allocation to non-U.S. equities, which performed strongly over the two-year period, and a smaller allocation to short-term securities/cash/other.

7

At year-end 2017, 57 percent of participating institutions’ U.S. equities allocation was actively managed and 43 percent was passively managed—a clear change since 2014 when the active/passive split was 65/35. This may reinforce observations in earlier Studies concerning the shift to passive management of highly efficient asset classes, such as U.S. equities. The allocation to actively managed non-U.S. equities also declined.

 
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Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.

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Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.