Research Publications Archive

Reversal of Fortune: The Effect of the Market Decline on the Budgets of Endowed Institutions

This paper describes the circumstances surrounding the accelerated rise of expenses at many institutions with large endowments during the unprecedented market rise of the 1990s, and the budgetary implications of the three-year decline in the equity markets, not seen since 1941. A section entitled “What to Do?” offers suggestions for dealing with the budgetary consequences…

Where’s the Economy Heading?

Although the current slowdown has thus far been more moderate than other postwar slowdowns, further weakening could precipitate unusually harsh consequences.

Timberland

This report analyzes the current environment for timberland investments, including sources of return and a breakdown of global supply and demand issues. Also included is a discussion of the relative merits of the four primary vehicles for timberland investment: commingled accounts, separate accounts, direct investing, and REITs and MLPs.

Commodities: An Introduction

A primer on commodities including the policy argument for an allocation, sources of return, investment vehicles, correlations with other asset classes, and benchmarks.