Harvard's endowment grew by more than 30 percent in the past year to a staggering $19 billion, according to the University's annual financial report, which may be released as early as today.
The figures are for the fiscal year ending June 30. In fall 1999, the endowment was worth $14.4 billion.
"It's in the $19 billion vicinity," said Elizabeth C. "Beppie" Huidekoper, Harvard's vice president for finance. "It was a great year."
Harvard outperformed its investment benchmarks in almost all categories, according to Jay O. Light, director of the Harvard Management Company (HMC), which handles Harvard's investments.
"HMC outperformed the benchmarks in almost every category by sizable amounts," he said. "It's pretty much across the board."
The endowment, the largest of any university, also beat stock market indicators like the S&P 500 average, which rose only seven percent in the same period.
The 30-percent increase more than doubled last year's 12.2-percent return rate, which many described as lackluster.
It is also substantially higher than the average of 20.1 percent for the five-year period ending in fall 1999.
Read more in News
SAA Hosts 'Art of Living' SpeakerRecommended Articles
-
Venture CapitalITHACA, N.Y.-Cornell University is using part of its endowment as venture capital to finance small, high technology enterprises. The university
-
Harvard Investors Post Low Returns on Endowment InvestmentsFor Harvard University, this year's bull market proved disappointing. For the first time in six years, Harvard has fallen short
-
Size Matters: Endowment Troubles Traced to Venture CapitalBefore the completion of Harvard's massive Capital Campaign took center stage last week, the University's fundraising machine released a bit
-
Venture Capital Brings Harvard RichesNew technology businesses are popping up by the second, urged into existence by the hundreds of venture capital firms, the
-
Harvard Endowment Surges to $19 BillionHarvard's endowment grew by more than 30 percent in the past year to a staggering $19 billion, according to the
-
Venture Capital, Internet Economy Send Endowment SoaringShrewd investing, the Internet economy and a strong commodities market combined to create the record $4.8 billion surge in Harvard's