The University of Chicago endowment grew to a market value of $6.73 billion as of June 30, marking a 6.6 percent return on investments for fiscal year 2013. The results exceeded University benchmarks, while reflecting a lower risk profile that UChicago has adopted in recent years.
The average compounded investment result for the University over the last three years was a 10.6 percent return; the average over the last five years was a 4.8 percent gain; and the average over the last 10 years was a 10 percent gain. All of those compare favorably to the market-based, strategic benchmarks used by the University for these periods.
Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Mark Schmid noted that FY 2013 marked the fourth year of positive investment results since the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, with annualized returns of 12.6 percent—well above the University’s strategic benchmark during that period.
“We view investments as an important part of a comprehensive approach to the University’s fiscal health,” Schmid said. “Working closely with the Investment Committee and University leadership, we continue to believe this approach will best support the University’s mission in all types of market conditions on a long-term basis.”
—Prof. Kunle Odunsi
