endowment

Sustainability Digital – Sept 2020

Harvard endowment goes net zero by 2050

The Harvard endowment is about half way through its transition to external investment management and will work with its service providers to implement the university’s new directive, to position the portfolio in line with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Amanda WhiteMay 7, 2020

Asset Allocation

Research fund embraces innovation

In 2005, the $3 billion WARF embraced a risk parity strategy with a portable alpha overlay. Despite many doubters, the plan has been a success - and the fund still has that experimental ethos.

Sarah RundellMarch 6, 2018

Asset Allocation

UTAM favours equities, private credit

The University of Toronto Asset Management Corporation adopts passive moves into US equities, active allocations to international shares and select opportunities in private credit markets.

Sarah RundellMay 31, 2017

Uncategorised posts

Stanford dumps coal: why divestment doesn’t work

The decision by the Stanford University endowment to divest from coal stocks might produce some positive PR, but from an investment perspective it’s only making them worse off, says Andrew Ang, professor of finance at Columbia University, who says the move prompts the bigger question of what the purpose of a university endowment actually is. […]

Amanda WhiteFebruary 20, 2015

FIS Harvard 2014

Good for Harvard, good for the world: Why HMC embraced ESG with a passion

Harvard Management Corporation (HMC) signed up to the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) less than a year ago, but the company that manages the $36 billion Harvard University endowment is already moving rapidly to build environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into every investment decision it makes. Jane Mendillo, president and chief executive of […]

Simon HoyleOctober 28, 2014

Uncategorised posts

Foundations and endowments flock to long duration

The risk of a US equity market decline and concerns over the future direction of interest rates has been driving US foundations and endowments’ asset allocation decisions in the past year, with a distinct move away from US equity to global allocations and away from US-focused core to longer duration and high yield. The latest […]

Amanda WhiteMay 28, 2014