Endowment Index Ends Q1 2016 on Positive Note

The Endowment Index calculated by Nasdaq OMX increased 1.24% (on a total return basis) for the quarter ended March 31, closing at 1,012.60. By comparison, the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 gained 1.35% for the same period. 

Thirteen of the index’s 19 components provided a positive return for the first quarter. While gold was the single best performing overall asset class (+16.4%) for the quarter, the index components providing the best overall return attributions were global metals and mining (+0.28%), hedge strategies (+0.26%), equity – emerging markets (+0.24%) and domestic real estate (0.19%). Of the six components that posted a negative return attribution, emerging markets – China (-0.60%) and international developed equities (-0.21%) were the most significant.

Visit www.endowmentIndex.com to download an index fact sheet or spreadsheet containing longer-term performance information.

The Endowment Index is used for portfolio comparison, investment analysis, research and benchmarking purposes by fiduciaries such as trustees, portfolio managers, consultants and advisers to endowments, foundations, trusts, defined benefit (DB)/defined contribution (DC) plans, pension plans and individual investors. It is a total return index, and all underlying components are composed of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or other investable securities.

The Endowment Multi Asset ETF Allocation, a collective investment trust (CIT) available for use in defined contribution plans and managed by ETF Model Solutions, employs a passive investment approach based upon the Endowment Index.