Research Publications Archive

Mission-Related Investing: Insights and Perspectives

Investor approaches to mission-related investing (MRI) are as varied as the social and environmental outcomes they seek to achieve. Based on responses from 148 clients—54 of which are engaged in mission-related investing—this chart book explores trends in the structure, implementation, and governance of MRI programs; investor motivations and perceived challenges; and expectations for future growth in MRI investment activity. 

Origination Year Defaults: A Canary in the Credit Coal Mine?

When evaluating US credit trends over the last two decades, an institutional loan default that occurs within its year of origination has often been an ominous sign The idea resembles the closely monitored first payment–default metric that consumer lenders track as a bellweather for loan quality A loan default within its year of origination has…

Spending Policy Practices: 2018

Annual distributions from the endowment are a source of supplemental operating revenue for most endowed institutions, as an institution’s spending policy serves as a bridge that links the long-term investment portfolio and the enterprise. The data and analysis in this report cover a variety of spending topics including spending rule types, the endowment’s support of operations, and effective spending rates. This year’s report draws on a supplemental study Cambridge Associates conducted in April 2018 to dive deeper into some technical factors of spending policy, specifically focusing on spending from new endowment gifts.

Are the Credit Bears Getting Lost in the Woods?

Worries over the health of US credit markets have risen in recent months, with numerous reports highlighting the growing vulnerability of indebted companies (and thus investors) to rising rates and a potential turn in the economic cycle. This paper provides our updated thoughts across US credit markets, as well as some tactical tilts investors could employ to help navigate a few of these headwinds.