Institutional Investment Plans Report Modest Growth in Q107

“U.S. institutional plans posted a median return of 2.2% for the first quarter,” said Joe Nardulli, Product Manager, Northern Trust Investment Risk & Analytical Services, in a press release. He added that the three largest institutional plan segments – Corporate ERISA, Public Fund, and Foundation & Endowment, posted the same median returns in the first quarter of 2007, and outperformed the 0.6% return of the S&P 500.

The top returning U.S. equity style for the quarter was Mid Cap, according to Nardulli, with the Northern Trust Mid Cap manager universe posting a median return of 4.3%. Small and Large Cap manager universes’ posted median returns of 3.2% and 1.2%, respectively. The Northern Trust International Equity manager universe gained 3.9% for the quarter.

For the two-year period ended March 31, 2007, ERISA and Public Fund plans posted median returns of 12.8% and 12.6%, respectively, while Foundations & Endowments returned 13.2%. Over five years, all plan types posted median returns between 9.3% and 9.6%, the release said.

The Northern Trust Universe represents the performance results of more than 300 large institutional investment plans, with a combined asset value of approximately $640 billion, which subscribe to Northern Trust performance measurement services.