The Northern Trust Company says that most US institutional investment plan sponsors reported double-digit returns for 2006, according to data in the Northern Trust Universe. The Northern Trust Universe represents the performance results of more than 300 large institutional investment plans, with a combined asset value of approximately USD640 billion, which subscribe to Northern Trust performance measurement services.
“US institutional plans posted a median return for the fourth quarter of 5.7 percent, which helped lead the way to double-digit returns for the year across all plan types,” says Joe Nardulli, the Product Manager at Northern Trust Investment Risk & Analytical Services.
Corporate and Public Fund plans posted median returns of 13.7 percent and 13.5 percent for the year, respectively, while Foundation and Endowment plans led the way with a yearly median return of 14.3 percent.
The Northern Trust US Equity All Value manager universe median return for the year was 19.1 percent, outperforming the US Equity All Growth manager universe yearly median return of 9.2 percent. International equity performance also contributed to total plan performance this year. The Northern Trust International Equity manager universe was the top returning asset class, gaining 26.1 percent at median for the year.