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Investment Strategy | Articles

Mind the Gap: The Strategic Risk of Skipping a Vintage in Private Equity

Private equity (inclusive of buyouts, growth equity, and venture capital) remains a compelling long-term asset class, but recent periods of muted distributions and below-average returns have created...

Perspectives | Press Releases

FY24 NACUBO-Commonfund Study Released

U.S. Higher Education Endowments Report 6.8% 10-Year Average Annual Return, Increase Spending to a Collective $30.0 Billion Annual NACUBO-Commonfund Study shows participating institutions spent...

Investment Strategy | Videos

Chief Investment Officers Share Their Thoughts at Forum 2025

Commonfund hosted its annual Commonfund Forum 2025, March 9-11th, in Orlando, Florida. The agenda included a range of sessions on relevant topics for institutional investors. This Forum Spotlight...

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Outsourced Cio | Insights Blog

Understanding the OCIO Governance Model

Explore the intricate governance dynamics within Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) models and how they shape investment outcomes.
Investment Strategy | Insights Blog

Educational Alpha Podcast: A Conversation with Mark Anson

In this episode of the "Educational Alpha Podcast" host Bill Kelly sits down with Mark Anson, CEO and CIO of Commonfund to explore the evolution of the endowment model and its ongoing relevance in...
Market Commentary | Private Equity Insights

The Secondary Market is Vaulting Over Prior Records

2024 is expected to be a record year for secondaries, but the market volume should be even larger. The secondary market remains undercapitalized and under-resourced. Investors are unable to transact...
Perspectives | Press Releases

Foundations' Endowed Portfolios Produced Higher Returns in 2023

One-year returns recovered, OCIO use increased, gifts and responsible investing moderated Wilton, Conn. (September 4, 2024) — In the improved market environment of 2023, average annual returns on...
Market Commentary | Private Equity Insights

Are Mega-Cap Technology Stocks Enough to Ride the AI Wave?

The past 18 months have witnessed the dominance of a small group of tech stocks in the U.S. equity market. Collectively dubbed the Magnificent Seven (Mag 7)1, these stocks as a basket have...
Market Commentary | Insights Blog

How Long Can the Yen Carry Trade Carry On?

Since Japan's economic crash in the 1990s, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) has maintained extremely low interest rates to combat deflation. For nearly a decade, Japan's benchmark rate has been negative,...
Perspectives | Insights Blog

Commonfund Convenes: Foundations that Support Higher Education

Last month, Commonfund OCIO hosted an inaugural convening of institutionally-related foundations (IRFs) - foundations that are a separate entity and serve as administrative and often fundraising...
Market Commentary | Podcasts

Commonfund OCIO Point of View

Episode 4 In this episode we cover the macro perspective and how we analyze the Fed and interest rate risks. We also talk through the upcoming U.S. election and policy approaches.
Investor Spotlight | Spotlight

Montana Tech’s Rigorous STEM Curriculum Produces In-Demand Graduates

Borrowing from the popular TV quiz show “Jeopardy!” the answer is: “Montana Technological University.” The question: “What is the only university in the U.S. with an underground mine located on...
Outsourced Cio | Insights Blog

Why do Nonprofit Investors Seek an OCIO?

According to data from Commonfund's Benchmarks Studies, Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) usage is on the rise among private and community foundations and higher education over the past 10...
Perspectives | Insights Blog

Investment Stewardship Academy 2024: Lifetime Learning for Nonprofit Leaders

Commonfund Institute’s Investment Stewardship Academy (“ISA”), an intensive workshop for institutional investors and leaders that has been convening since 1993, came together on Yale’s campus in New...
Market Commentary | Insights Blog

Fiscal Year-End and Mid-Year 2024 Market and Investment Review

Over the last 12 months, the global stock markets demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth despite several challenges, including persistently high interest rates, geopolitical instability, and...