Endowments Quarterly: First Quarter 2022
Our quarterly report summarizes asset allocation and total investment performance for 371 of Cambridge Associates’ US endowment and foundation clients.
US
Fed Tightens by 0.75% and Projects Softer Economy
The Federal Reserve announced that it was raising the target range for the Fed funds rate by 75 basis points to 1.50%–1.75% and made wholesale changes to its summary of economic projections.
Small-Cap Stocks Present Large Opportunity
US small-cap stocks have underperformed large-cap peers in recent years, opening a significant valuation discount that seems hard to justify based on relative earnings strength or balance sheet health. The sector exposure of small-cap stocks may make them better positioned for the current environment of rising interest rates and high commodity prices. While small caps should always be a part of investors’ tool kits, now is an especially opportune time to add exposure, given historically low valuations.
Are Venture Returns About to Cycle?
Yes. We do expect venture capital (VC) returns to be negatively impacted in the coming quarters but doubt that impact will be as pronounced and wholesale as it was during the dot-com era.
US Manager Universe Statistics: First Quarter 2022
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.
VantagePoint: Resilience in a Time of Uncertainty
Global inflation has been higher and more persistent than most economists anticipated. In this edition of VantagePoint, we evaluate current inflationary and deflationary crosscurrents and the implications for investors. We continue to believe that predicting the future path of inflation is difficult to do well and that the best protection is a well-constructed diversified portfolio designed to meet the asset owner’s risk tolerance, portfolio objectives, and spending needs.
Fed Raises Rates and Begins Balance Sheet Run-off
Yesterday, the Federal Reserve announced it would raise the target range for the Fed funds rate 50 basis points (bps) to 0.75%–1.00%. It also formalized plans to reduce its $9 trillion balance sheet starting June 1, with an initial monthly cap of $47.5 billion, rising to $95 billion per month on September 1.
Should Investors Go Long Duration Following This Year’s Sell-off in US Treasuries?
No, we do not recommend that investors go long duration in fixed income portfolios. The uncertain inflation outlook and potential for more aggressive policy tightening suggest yields could rise further.
Higher Rates Are a Headwind, but US Housing Rests on Solid Foundations
The US housing market has been on a tear in recent years, supported by low interest rates, favorable supply/demand dynamics, and a recent boost from the pandemic-related demand for more space. This publication provides an update on some of the macro forces supporting housing and describes different asset classes that offer exposure to US housing.
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.