Yale Bulletin and Calendar

October 15, 2004|Volume 33, Number 7

Yale Endowment gains 19.4%;
total assets reach $12.7 billion

Yale's Endowment earned a 19.4% return in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, bringing total assets to $12.7 billion, the Yale's Investments Office reported.

Investment officials said the excellent performance resulted in approximately $2.1 billion in gains for the University.

"The superb management of the Endowment by (Chief Investment Officer) David Swensen and his investment team has greatly enhanced the University's ability to carry out its mission," President Richard C. Levin said. "I know I speak for the faculty, students, alumni and staff of Yale in thanking the Investments Office for its outstanding performance over many years."

Spending from the Endowment in the University's current fiscal year is expected to total $562 million, an 11% increase over Endowment spending in the prior fiscal year. The Endowment's contribution equals an estimated 32% of the University's revenues, more than two times the share of operating budget support provided a decade ago.

Yale's Endowment returned an annualized 16.8% over the past 10 years, placing the University in the top one percent of institutional funds. Over the past decade, Endowment funds grew from $3.6 billion to $12.7 billion.

The Yale Corporation, at its most recent meeting, approved an increase in the target rate of Endowment spending to 5.25% from the previous level of 5.0%. The increase in the target rate was accompanied by a change in the smoothing formula designed to dampen further the volatility of the flow of funds released from the Endowment to support Yale's operations.

"The increase in the target rate of spending is a prudent change reflecting careful analysis of long-term Endowment performance," said John Pepper, vice president of finance and administration. "Our fast-growing utility costs and the need to maintain competitive salaries for faculty and our management and professional employees will be two strong demands on any additional revenues."

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Yale will launch surveys on work issues, child care

Racial disparity in heart attack treatment found

Yale curator traded lab for work in Iraqi war zone

Congressman addresses U.S. relations with Libya, Egypt, Syria

Noted specialists will assess aspects of globalization in talks

Panelists to assess situation in Iraq today

Yale Rep's next offering is a 'techno-comedy' by an alumnus

Events celebrate Polish writer . . .

GE executive to discuss 'Imagination at Work' as Gordon Grand Fellow

Yale's ongoing partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb is celebrated at event

Taking a walk-through

Harpsichord concert and other events celebrate anniversary . . .

Faculty work on global issues is recognized with new YCIAS awards

20th-century slavery is focus of Gilder Lehrman Center conference

Come the harvest

Open Enrollment for employee benefits . . .

Campus Notes