Most U.S. plan sponsors posted double-digit returns last year, according to performance data from Northern Trust Corp.'s plan sponsor universe, which includes more than 300 institutional investment plans with combined assets of $390 billion. The median defined benefit plan in the universe was up 12.2% for the year, according Richard Jurek, Northern Trust spokesman. Foundations and endowments gained 11.8%.
Allocations to international equities helped, particularly in the fourth quarter, according to Joe Nardulli, product manager of investment risk and analytical services.
