Ten years ago Lehman Brothers failed, representing the largest bankruptcy in history, and accelerating a global financial crisis that would knock…
Costs matter. With expectations for lower market returns over the coming years, every basis point of net performance is particularly important.…
Investors of all types, including those that represent institutions, are clearly feeling more uneasy than they have in years. It isn’t just the spike in stock market volatility that buffeted investors in the fourth quarter of 2018 (after a prolonged period of abnormally low volatility), but the magnitude of the swings that may be the culprit. We researched the worst and best S&P 500 performing Decembers and Januarys since 1928...
Schools participating in the Commonfund Benchmarks Study® of Independent Schools (CSIS) for the 2018 fiscal year reported an average return (net of fees) on their endowment assets of 7.4 percent. The 2018 fiscal year covers the period from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. In this infographic, we have highlighted the key findings from the study.
On the surface, hiring two (or more) multi-asset managers to manage an entire portfolio may seem like a good idea. Intuitively, it would seem to...
The biggest challenge in implementing any type of responsible investment program is in clearly defining and prioritizing those issues most relevant to an organization. Although it may seem a straightforward exercise, there are often several challenges that prevent boards from taking this crucial first step. These include . . .
Investors participate in private capital markets for two main reasons: to pursue increased investment return and to add portfolio diversification. Even well-informed investors who are experienced in publicly traded equities can be uncertain about private market investing. In addition to possessing good public markets knowledge and expertise, they often need an effective resource to help them respond to questions from others involved in the investment process. This blog is the first in a series that focuses on the fundamental principles...
The annual Commonfund Higher Education Price Index (HEPI) report provides an analysis of HEPI and the cost factors...
The Council on Foundations - Commonfund Study of Responsible Investing for Foundations analyzes the investment management and governance practices of U.S. foundations, both private and public. Data is excerpted from the Council on Foundations - Commonfund Study of Foundations (CCSF).
The Commonfund Benchmarks Study–Healthcare Report provides an analysis of investment & governance policies & practices of healthcare organizations.
The CCSF study provides an authoritative and comprehensive survey of private and community foundation investment and governance practices.
The Commonfund Benchmarks Study of independent Schools provides an analysis of the investment and governance policies and practices of U.S. independent day and boarding schools.
In this Forum 2018 general session, Commonfund experts share research findings and techniques we employ to help investors understand not just the characteristics of their portfolio in isolation but also the broader considerations and pressures that should shape risk, drawdown and recovery expectations over the long haul.
Cari Lodge, head of secondaries at Commonfund Capital, discusses the development of the secondaries market for private equity and opportunities that it offers investors
Commonfund Managing Director and Head of Strategic Solutions, Tim Yates, interviews Dr. Julie Wolman, President of Widener University. In this wide-ranging discussion Dr. Wollman describes how Widener is competing and succeeding in the ultra-competitive world of higher education by focusing on strategy and innovation to differentiate the school.
With investor’s growing interest in the recent years, impact investing has showed healthier returns and better risk management, all while addressing important social and environmental issues. Deborah Spalding, Ben Yeoh, and Randell Cain join together in San Francisco to discuss a few concerns such as promoting a low carbon economy, human rights and gender pay parity and best practices related to investing in companies.
Kris Kwait, Deputy CIO and Head of Investments, discusses investment strategies for long-term investors in the current market environment.
