Endowments Quarterly: Fourth Quarter 2021
Our quarterly report summarizes asset allocation and total investment performance for 373 of Cambridge Associates’ US endowment and foundation clients.
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Decades of Data: United States 1900–2021
The 2021 US edition of our annual report on the history of financial markets provides context for the range of returns investors can expect from equities, bonds, and cash; reveals the importance of various components of equity returns; examines the evidence for equity mean reversion; and reviews the relationship between initial valuations and subsequent returns for equities and bonds.
Will Concerns Over “Greenflation” Derail the Energy Transition?
No. The inflation attributed to green initiatives (known as “greenflation”) is part of the current inflation narrative, but we doubt concerns related to it will derail the global energy transition.
Tighter US Monetary Policy May Limit Upside Potential of Risk Assets
Central banks across the globe are poised to raise policy rates in response to inflation concerns. By examining how US policy rates have impacted US risk assets historically, we consider how assets may react today. These tighter financial conditions may cap the upside potential for risk assets. Within equities and credit, the risks are particularly pronounced in growth stocks and investment-grade corporate bonds.
VantagePoint: Jumpstarting the Energy Transition
This year may prove to be pivotal in the transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Policy makers, businesses, and investors are accelerating commitments to bring greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, while technological advances and economics in sectors, like renewable energy and EVs, are reaching more competitive functionality and cost. Even as the energy transition gains speed, we are still in the very early days and anticipate a long and disruptive transition.
College and University Investment Pool Returns: Fiscal Year 2021
Our annual survey-based report of 152 US colleges and universities includes commentary and analysis of investment performance, asset allocation, and related trends.
US Manager Universe Statistics: Fourth Quarter 2021
This publication presents manager performance for 37 asset classes and substrategies, showing the median, mean, and key percentiles of return. Relevant indexes for each asset class are also included to provide market context.
Inflation Pressures Central Banks to Begin Normalizing Policies
This week, the Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, and to a lesser extent the European Central Bank all acted to tighten monetary policies. These tightenings came as inflationary pressures have surged in many countries and as other central banks have looked to rein in simulative policies. But, when combined with above-trend growth expectations next year and central banks’ likely cautious tightening approach, we suspect financial conditions will likely remain accommodative and supportive of risk assets.
The Dollar Finds Temporary Support
The US dollar tends to appreciate during two broad economic regimes. One is when the US economy is materially outperforming its global counterparts, attracting capital looking to benefit from the superior US prospects. The other is when growth slows sharply, attracting safe-haven-seeking capital. This is the “dollar smile” model of the currency, and looking at 2022 through this lens suggests some dollar strength may be in store.
College and University Flash Statistics Report: Fiscal Year 2021
The College and University Flash Statistics Report provides a first look at the results of our 2021 College and University Investment Pool Returns survey. Included in the analysis are a summary of investment pool returns and asset allocation for 152 colleges and universities. Additionally, the report provides detailed data by institution on asset allocation and…