David Swenson: Overview of Yale Method

Came across this recent (April 2012) presentation by David Swenson. He's been the CIO of Yale's endowment since 1985. He starts with an overview of his investment views and then goes on to rebut "Barron's" Criticism of the Swensen Approach to Endowment Management (ie overly diversifying and overweighting alternatives).

19 Comments
 

David Swensen is considered the man in the endowment world. I highly recommend his book "Pioneering portfolio management" for those looking to learn the basics or those already involved in fund management who want to understand how your investors think about investing and selecting managers.

 
SirTradesaLotDavid Swensen is considered the man in the endowment world.

wow is he that well endowed?

bazinga.

Money Never Sleeps? More like Money Never SUCKS amirite?!?!?!?
 
sayandarula
SirTradesaLotDavid Swensen is considered the man in the endowment world.

wow is he that well endowed?

bazinga.

Your avatar is perfect for that comment. Carry on.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." - IlliniProgrammer
 

I've never heard of him until today.. Nice post! SB for OP

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jmdudeOP

Do you know if there a succinct rebuttal anywhere?

Interested in the debate - mainly on the criticism that he invests too heavily in illiquid alternative assets.

 
Cola Coca
jmdudeOP

Do you know if there a succinct rebuttal anywhere?

Interested in the debate - mainly on the criticism that he invests too heavily in illiquid alternative assets.

If you look at Yale vs. the Wilshire TUCS (Trustee Universe Comparison Service), which tracks all of the nations largest plans, Yale is consistently a bottom 50% performer since 2008. No need for criticism when the scoreboard does all of the talking for you.

 
FutureBanker09
Cola Coca
jmdudeOP

Do you know if there a succinct rebuttal anywhere?

Interested in the debate - mainly on the criticism that he invests too heavily in illiquid alternative assets.

If you look at Yale vs. the Wilshire TUCS (Trustee Universe Comparison Service), which tracks all of the nations largest plans, Yale is consistently a bottom 50% performer since 2008. No need for criticism when the scoreboard does all of the talking for you.

Juding an endowment of a c3 year period is moronic - even more so given the nature of markets over recent years.
 

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