News

Aalto University endowment portfolio returned 6.5% in 2017

The purpose of the endowment is to generate additional funding for top quality research and education.

The Aalto University endowment portfolio total return net of fees was 6.5% in 2017 (6.1% in 2016). The average return since inception has been 5.2% per annum, net of fees. The market value of the endowment portfolio was EUR 1 052 million (EUR 948 million 31.12.2016). In addition to endowment management operations, the portfolio grew due to government capitalization related to the university fundraising campaign 2014-2017 and the newly established Tenure Track Fund to enable  new tenure track recruitments.

At the end of 2017, 44 (51) % of the endowment portfolio was invested in fixed income, 52 (48) % in equities and 4 (1) % in alternative risk. Allocation to alternative risk was increased in line with the endowment strategy. In addition, allocation to equity risk was increased in the second half of the year due to allocation changes and launch of the private equity programme.

Risky asset classes continued to perform strongly in 2017, with equity investments returning 11%. The biggest positive return contributors were investments in European and emerging markets equities. Investments in emerging markets’ hard currency debt contributed strongly in 3.3% credit risk return. Interest rates fluctuated throughout the year. The interest rate sensitivity of the endowment portfolio was kept on low levels and return on fixed income remained slightly positive. Alternative risk returned 5.5%. The appreciation of Euro against other currencies had negative contribution to total return. 

Allocation 31.12.2017

Return 2017

Annual return since inception (05/2010)

Risk free

13.1%

-0.2%

1.0%

Interest rate risk

4.7%

0.5%

2.5%

Credit risk

26.6%

3.3%

4.2%

Equity risk

51.6%

11.0%

8.9%

Alternative risk

4.0%

5.5%

0.6%

Aalto Endowment Portfolio

100%

6.5%

5.2%

Additional information:
Head of Investments Kati Eriksson
Aalto University
+358 40 563 6110
[email protected]

  • Published:
  • Updated:

Read more news

kuva puhelimesta ihmisen kädessä
Press releases Published:

Teaching a computer to type like a human

A new typing model simulates the typing process instead of just predicting words
Open-top chambers in a tundra environment.
Press releases Published:

Understanding climate warming impacts on carbon release from the tundra

Tundras could transform from carbon sinks into a carbon source, exacerbating the effects of climate change
People registration to SSD
Press releases Published:

Program now available for the sustainability event of the year - Speakers include economist Kate Raworth and president Tarja Halonen

This year, Sustainability Science Days, a joint event of Aalto University and the University of Helsinki is collaborating with the world's largest Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress SRI. The event will bring together 2,000 experts to solve global sustainability challenges.
Aerial photo of a dried riverbed.
Press releases Published:

Even Finland should be concerned about droughts

Though the risk is still low, recent droughts in Finland have had a serious impact – and they will be more common