Real Assets Impact Investing Benchmark Statistics 2018 Q3
Real Assets Impact Investing Benchmark Statistics 2018 Q3
DISCLAIMER
Our goal is to provide you with the most accurate and relevant performance information possible; as a result, Cambridge Associates’ research
organization continually monitors the constantly evolving private investments space and its fund managers. When we discern material
changes in the structure of an asset class and/or a fund’s investment strategy, it is in the interest of all users of our benchmark statistics that
we implement the appropriate classification realignments.
In addition, Cambridge Associates is always working to grow our private investments performance database and ensure that our benchmarks
are as representative as possible of investors’ institutional-quality opportunity set. As a result we continually add funds to the database (both
newly-raised funds and backfill funds) and occasionally we must remove funds that cease reporting. Our private investments performance
database is dynamic and will reflect both classification adjustments and changes to the underlying pool of contributing funds. As a result, you
may notice quarter to quarter changes in the results of some historical benchmark return analyses.
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REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
OVERVIEW AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
Cambridge Associates’ Private Investments Database is one of the most robust collections of institutional quality private fund performance. It
contains the historical performance records of over 2,000 fund managers and their over 7,500 funds. In addition, we capture the performance
information (gross) of over 81,000 investments underlying our venture capital, growth equity, buyout, subordinated capital and private equity
energy funds. This is one of the largest collections of portfolio-level performance information in the world and represents the investments of
approximately 76% of these funds on a count basis and 82% on a total commitment basis. This fund and investment-level performance
information is drawn from the quarterly and audited annual financial statements of the fund managers and each manager’s reported
performance numbers are independently recreated from the financial statements and verified by Cambridge Associates.
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REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
TIMING OF FINAL BENCHMARKS AND DATA EVOLUTION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
The Cambridge Associates’ benchmarks are reported on a one-quarter lag from the end of the performance quarter due to the reporting time
frame of private investments fund managers.
Published Data: When the vast majority of a benchmark group’s (organized by asset class, e.g. Venture Capital or Real Estate) performance
information is updated for a performance quarter, that benchmark is considered final and the data is “published” via the quarterly benchmark
reports.
Changes to Data: After a benchmark group is published, any updates to historical data for these funds, which can include adding a fund and its
performance history to the database (“backfills”) and/or updating past information for an existing fund due to late-arriving, updated, or
refined information, would be reflected when that group is published for the next performance quarter.
In addition, Cambridge Associates may change the classification of certain funds; this often driven by the evolution of private investments and
the resulting need to introduce new benchmarks or refine our classification scheme. For example, as growth equity emerged as an asset class
we reclassified certain venture capital and buyout funds accordingly.
Survivorship Bias: In order to track the performance of a fund in our benchmarks, we require the complete set of financial statements from
the fund’s inception to the most current reporting date. When an active fund stops providing financial statements, we reach out to the
manager and make several attempts to encourage them to continue to submit their data. We may, during this communication period, roll
forward the fund’s last reported quarter’s net asset value (NAV) for several quarters. When we are convinced that the manager will not
resume reporting to us, the fund’s entire performance history is removed from the database.
When fund managers stop reporting before their fund’s return history is complete, an element of “survivorship bias” may be introduced to a
performance database, which could skew the reported returns upwards if the funds dropping out had poorer returns than those funds that
remained. Survivorship bias can affect all investment manager databases, including those for public stock managers and hedge funds.
Compared to public stocks and hedge funds, however, the illiquid nature of private investments can actually help limit this survivorship effect.
Whereas an underperforming stock manager may simply close up shop or drop out of databases as clients liquidate their positions and fire the
manager, private investment partnerships owning illiquid assets continue to exist and require reporting to the limited partners, even if the
original manager ceases to exist.
Over the last ten years the number of fund managers that stopped reporting to Cambridge Associates before liquidation represented an
average of 0.6% (per year) of the total number of funds in the database during the respective year, and an average of 0.5% (per year) as a
percentage of total NAV in the database during that respective year. During that same period the overall number of funds in our database
increased by an average of 8% (per year). The performance of the small number of funds that have stopped reporting has been spread
amongst all quartiles and has not been concentrated consistently in the poorer performing quartiles.
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REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
TABLE OF CONTENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
APPENDICES
Methodology 19
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REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
Impact investments are defined by their intent to generate a social and/or environmental return in addition to a financial return. The focus of
this benchmark is private real assets funds with a social and/or environmental impact objective to allow for a clear aggregation of similarly
motivated funds.
A unique feature of impact investments is that not all investment opportunities aim for market rates of risk-adjusted return. However, in the
interest of focusing on a relatively uniform set of data, this benchmark restricts itself to those funds that target risk-adjusted market-rate
returns.
The Cambridge Associates research team, in partnership with the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) research team, identified a list of
relevant impact investing funds through existing databases maintained by various credible networks worldwide, including the GIIN’s
ImpactBase, CA’s Mission-Related Investing (MRI) database, and ImpactAssets 50.
The data collected is divided into distinct sectors based on the assets underlying each investment strategy and the associates risk and return
profile. Three sectors of focus are currently covered by the real assets impact investing indices: timber, real estate, and infrastructure.
61 qualifying funds had submitted their data for benchmark inclusion as of September 30, 2018, distributed among the three sectors as noted
below. Funds are continually added to this benchmark each quarter.
Timber Impact Investing Benchmark: 19 qualifying funds
Real Estate Impact Investing Benchmark: 21 qualifying funds
Infrastructure Impact Investing Benchmark: 21 qualifying funds
Given the limited size of the sample and the overall youth of the funds within the Real Assets Impact Investing Benchmark, it is difficult to
draw definitive conclusions on the performance of impact investing funds. Performance will evolve from quarter to quarter, as with any
benchmark, with the addition of new funds and the maturation of existing ones. We will monitor the industry by updating this benchmark on a
quarterly basis.
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REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
DISTRIBUTION OF TIMBER FUNDS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
5 5
3.1% 3 3
96.9%
3 3
2
United States Emerging
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REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
DISTRIBUTION OF REAL ESTATE FUNDS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
19.0% 3 3
56.9%
24.1%
FUND COUNT BY SIZE
n = 21
9
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REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
DISTRIBUTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
5 5 5
11.5%
19.0%
0 0
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REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING: FUND INDEX ANALYSIS
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
CAMBRIDGE ASSOCIATES LLC TIMBER IMPACT INVESTING INDEX1 0.20 3.11 3.51 2.27 4.47 4.47 5.15
CAMBRIDGE ASSOCIATES LLC REAL ESTATE IMPACT INVESTING INDEX1 -0.21 0.33 2.19 -1.34 0.47 0.52 —
CAMBRIDGE ASSOCIATES LLC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACT INVESTING INDEX1 -0.38 -0.89 3.51 4.29 1.70 1.16 —
S&P Global Natural Resources Index 1.17 4.59 13.45 18.99 3.50 2.63 8.29
MSCI World Natural Resources Index (net) -0.25 4.87 13.15 14.09 0.77 2.07 7.17
MSCI US Natural Resources Index (net) 0.02 6.42 13.60 9.67 0.28 2.71 8.08
MSCI Emerging Markets Natural Resources Index (gross) 10.87 10.77 20.39 24.70 2.59 1.32 9.27
FTSE® NAREIT All Equity REITs Index 0.87 2.15 4.69 9.10 9.65 7.81 9.66
FTSE® EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index -0.15 0.76 4.62 7.16 6.34 6.88 8.81
Constructed Index: UBS Global Infra/UBS Global Infra&Utilities 50/50/S&P
-1.61 -4.62 -2.84 8.01 6.33 6.46 9.43
Global Infrastructure
Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index -0.92 -2.37 -1.32 1.98 0.75 2.89 3.51
NCREIF Timberland Index 1.02 2.44 4.00 3.52 6.00 4.01 7.43
The index is a horizon calculation based on data compiled from 61 timber, real estate, and infrastructure funds, including fully liquidated partnerships, formed between 1997 and 2016.
1 Private indexes are pooled horizon internal rate of return (IRR) calculations, net of fees, expenses, and carried interest. The timing and magnitude of fund cash flows are integral to the
IRR performance calculation. Public indexes are average annual compounded return (AACR) calculations which are time weighted measures over the specified time horizon, and are
shown for reference and directional purposes only. Due to the fundamental differences between the two calculations, direct comparison of IRRs to AACRs is not recommended. For a
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more accurate means of comparing private investment performance relative to public alternatives, see the analyses in this document using CA Modified Public Market Equivalent
(mPME). See Methodology section for more detail.
Sources: Cambridge Associates LLC, Bloomberg Barclays, Frank Russell Company, FTSE International Limited, MSCI, Inc., Natl Assoc of RE Investment Trusts, Natl Council of RE Invest
Fiduciaries, Standard & Poor’s, Thomson Reuters Datastream, and UBS Global Asset Management.
MSCI data provided “as is” without any express or implied warranties. Total returns for MSCI Emerging Markets Indices are gross of dividend taxes. Total Returns for MSCI Developed
Markets Indices are net of dividend taxes.
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
TIMBER IMPACT INVESTING AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
The index is a horizon calculation based on data compiled from 19 timber funds, including fully liquidated partnerships, formed between 1997 and 2015. All returns are net of fees, page | 11
expenses, and carried interest. Historic quarterly returns are updated in each year-end report to adjust for changes in the index sample.
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
TIMBER IMPACT INVESTING AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
YEARS HORIZON RETURN (%) ONE YEAR ENDED HORIZON RETURN (%)
1 Year 3.51 9/30/2018 3.51
2 Years 2.59 9/30/2017 1.69
3 Years 2.27 9/30/2016 1.66
4 Years 3.26 9/30/2015 5.86
5 Years 4.47 9/30/2014 8.60
6 Years 5.18 9/30/2013 8.26
7 Years 4.39 9/30/2012 0.16
8 Years 3.92 9/30/2011 0.90
9 Years 4.51 9/30/2010 9.14
10 Years 4.47 9/30/2009 4.10
11 Years 5.09 9/30/2008 11.77
12 Years 5.07 9/30/2007 4.78
13 Years 5.04 9/30/2006 4.45
14 Years 5.15 9/30/2005 8.04
15 Years 5.15 9/30/2004 5.25
The index is a horizon calculation based on data compiled from 19 timber funds, including fully liquidated partnerships, formed between 1997 and 2015. All returns are net of fees, page | 12
expenses, and carried interest.
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
REAL ESTATE IMPACT INVESTING AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
The index is a horizon calculation based on data compiled from 21 real estate funds, including fully liquidated partnerships, formed between 2004 and 2016. All returns are net of fees, page | 13
expenses, and carried interest. Historic quarterly returns are updated in each year-end report to adjust for changes in the index sample.
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
REAL ESTATE IMPACT INVESTING AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
YEARS HORIZON RETURN (%) ONE YEAR ENDED HORIZON RETURN (%)
1 Year 2.19 9/30/2018 2.19
2 Years -0.89 9/30/2017 -3.86
3 Years -1.34 9/30/2016 -2.18
4 Years -1.64 9/30/2015 -2.35
5 Years 0.47 9/30/2014 8.18
6 Years 2.12 9/30/2013 10.23
7 Years 2.59 9/30/2012 6.01
8 Years 2.27 9/30/2011 -1.38
9 Years 1.44 9/30/2010 -12.94
10 Years 0.52 9/30/2009 -20.89
11 Years 0.74 9/30/2008 9.95
12 Years 0.63 9/30/2007 -8.28
The index is a horizon calculation based on data compiled from 21 real estate funds, including fully liquidated partnerships, formed between 2004 and 2016. All returns are net of fees, page | 14
expenses, and carried interest.
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACT INVESTING AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
The index is a horizon calculation based on data compiled from 21 infrastructure funds, including fully liquidated partnerships, formed between 2005 and 2016. All returns are net of page | 15
fees, expenses, and carried interest. Historic quarterly returns are updated in each year-end report to adjust for changes in the index sample.
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACT INVESTING AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
YEARS HORIZON RETURN (%) ONE YEAR ENDED HORIZON RETURN (%)
1 Year 3.51 9/30/2018 3.51
2 Years 3.01 9/30/2017 2.58
3 Years 4.29 9/30/2016 6.70
4 Years 0.94 9/30/2015 -8.34
5 Years 1.70 9/30/2014 4.88
6 Years 0.64 9/30/2013 -5.05
7 Years 1.02 9/30/2012 3.92
8 Years 0.61 9/30/2011 -3.17
9 Years 1.45 9/30/2010 11.64
10 Years 1.16 9/30/2009 -4.83
11 Years 1.04 9/30/2008 -4.66
12 Years 1.02 9/30/2007 -2.91
The index is a horizon calculation based on data compiled from 21 infrastructure funds, including fully liquidated partnerships, formed between 2005 and 2016. All returns are net of page | 16
fees, expenses, and carried interest.
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING: FUND SINCE INCEPTION ANALYSIS
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
SINCE INCEPTION IRR & MULTIPLES BY FUND VINTAGE YEAR & ASSET CLASS
Net to Limited Partners
Cambridge Associates LLC (CA) has established a database to monitor investments made by venture capital and other alternative asset
partnerships. On September 30, 2018, 61 real assets impact investing funds from the years 1997 through 2016 were included in the sample.
Users of the analysis may find the following description of the data sources and calculation techniques helpful to their interpretation of
information presented in the report:
Partnership financial statements and narratives are the primary source of information concerning cash flows and ending residual/ net asset
values (NAV) for both partnerships and portfolio company investments.
Recognizing the alternative asset community's sensitivity to the distribution of information pertaining to individual fund investments, as a
matter of policy CA only releases aggregated figures in its benchmark report.
Vintage year is defined as the legal inception date as noted in a fund's financial statement. This date can usually be found in the first note to
the audited financial statements and is prior to the first close or capital call.
CA uses both the since inception internal rate of return and the end-to-end or horizon performance calculation in its benchmark reports:
The since inception internal rate of return (SI IRR) is a since inception calculation that solves for the discount rate, which makes the
net present value of an investment equal to zero. The calculation is based on cash-on-cash returns over equal periods modified for the
residual value of the partnership’s equity or portfolio company’s NAV. The residual value attributed to each respective group being
measured is incorporated as its ending value. Transactions are accounted for on a quarterly basis, and annualized values are used for
reporting purposes. Please note that all transactions are recorded on the 45th day or midpoint of the quarter.
Cambridge Associates uses the end-to-end or horizon internal rate of return calculation to calculate the official quarterly, annual, and
multi-year index figures. The horizon IRR performance calculation is a money-weighted return similar to the since inception IRR;
however, it is measuring performance between two points in time. The calculation incorporates the beginning NAV (if any, treated as
an inflow), interim cash flows and the ending NAV (if any, treated as an outflow). All interim cash flows are recorded on the mid-period
date of the quarter. In order for a fund to be included in a horizon IRR calculation, the fund must have at least one quarterly
contribution, distribution or NAV during the time frame being measured. Similar to the since inception IRR, the horizon IRR is
annualized for time frames greater than one year.
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REAL ASSETS IMPACT INVESTING
DESCRIPTION OF PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
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