UC Regents endowment yields 7.2 percent return

The University of California Regents endowment yielded a return of 7.2 percent for the fiscal year ending June 30, according to data released by the Chief Investment Officer of the Regents Friday.

UC Regents endowment, which consists of $8.9 billion in assets, crossed its benchmark return of 3.5 percent.

At the end of last fiscal year, the UC had the fourth-highest public university endowment, while the University of Texas was the richest public university system in the nation, with an endowment of over $25 billion.

The University of Texas Investment Management Co., which invests funds for Texas A&M University and University of Texas, said it had a weighted 3.5 percent average return for its two funds for the fiscal year. University endowments aim to achieve a 7 to 8 percent return to accommodate for inflation and other expenses.

Other public universities including Ohio State University, University of Florida Investment Co. and Indiana University Foundation have reported less than 5 percent returns for the same period.

The total assets managed by the UC Regents have increased to $98.2 billion from $90.6 billion last year and from $60.4 billion five years ago.

Compiled by Shreya Maskara, Bruin senior staff.