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Private Capital | Articles

What’s the Difference? Time-Weighted Return vs. Internal Rate of Return

Investors often ask about the difference between time-weighted return (“TWR”) and internal rate of return (“IRR”). In general, TWR is used by the investment industry to measure the performance of...
Perspectives | Press Releases

2019 Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Foundations Released

National Study Reports Strong Investment Results in 2019 Increased Foundations’ Intermediate-Term Returns   Data from the Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study Show Spending in Support of Mission...
Governance And Policy | Videos

Commonfund Manager Spotlight | Stellex Capital Management

In celebration of Black History Month, Commonfund Institute Executive Director, George Suttles, and Commonfund Director, Nicole Melwood, interview Ray Whiteman, Managing Partner and co-Founder of...

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Perspectives | Insights Blog

Study of Independent Schools - Key Highlights [Infographic]

For fiscal year 2020, independent schools reported an average return (net of fees) on their endowment assets of 2.8 percent. In this infographic, we report the key highlights from the 2020 Commonfund... Learn More
Market Commentary | Insights Blog

Chart of the Month | The Stock Market Rally May Finally Be Broadening Beyond Tech Names

The trend of improving performance of sectors most sensitive to the strengthening economy remained on track in February 2021. For the most part of 2020, the traditional S&P 500 market-cap-weighted...
Governance And Policy | Videos

Exploring Foundations’ Response to COVID-19

Earlier in February at the 2021 Yale Philanthropy Conference, our own George Suttles, Executive Director of Commonfund Institute hosted a panel which included Tim Yates, President and CEO of...
Investment Strategy | Insights Blog

The Tech Effect and Direct Venture Growth Investing

The venture growth and late stage venture capital (“VC”) market has matured over the last 10 years, and direct investing has emerged as an attractive strategy for Limited Partners (“LPs”) to...
Perspectives | Press Releases

2020 Commonfund Benchmarks Study® of Independent Schools Released

Independent Schools Report 2.8% Return on Endowment Assets for FY2020—Lowest Since 2016 Longer-term Returns Ease; Spending in Support of Mission Holds Steady WILTON, Conn., February 17, 2021 —...
Responsible Investing | Insights Blog

Celebrating Black History Month: A Resource Guide

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the...
Responsible Investing | Insights Blog

Commonfund’s Second Invitational Diverse Manager Day

Earlier this month, Commonfund held its second invitational Diverse Manager Day with 19 managers identified through our Diverse Manager Portal. These diverse managers1 , from historically...
Market Commentary | Insights Blog

Chart of the Month | Are Bonds Still a Good Hedge for Equity Market Declines?

In the middle of January, the Biden administration announced the details on a new $1.9 trillion stimulus package, including enhanced unemployment benefits, an increase in the minimum wage, and...
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog

Expanded HEPI Tables Provide Analysis by Institution Type and Region

To more accurately plan for future expenses and budgeting needs most colleges and universities look to the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI). The HEPI is an inflation measure for current business...
Private Capital | Insights Blog

2021 Private Markets Investor Sentiment Survey

Institutional investors continue to increase allocations to private strategies. Commonfund Capital’s fourth annual private markets investor sentiment survey shows trends continue despite the pandemic...
Market Commentary | Insights Blog

Chart of the Month | Beware of High Yield Bonds

Income-hungry investors continued to push yields on speculative grade bonds to new lows despite the challenging business conditions this year. The yield on the Bloomberg Barclays Corporate High Yield...
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog

Board of Trustees and Investment Committee Roles and Responsibilities

There are fundamental principles of effective endowment management that we have organized into what we call “the 6 Ps of Investment Stewardship”– Purpose, Policy, Process, Portfolio, People and...
Perspectives | Press Releases

2020 HEPI Report Released

Inflation for U.S. Higher Education Institutions rises 1.9% in fiscal 2020, lowest since 2016. WILTON, CT, December 28, 2020 — Data from the annual Commonfund Higher Education Price Index® (HEPI)...