Canadian institutional investors saw a median return of 0.52 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, according to a new report by CIBC Mellon.
The BNY Canadian asset strategy view universe — which includes 63 Canadian corporate, public and university pension plans, as well as foundations and endowment funds representing $337 billion in assets — also recorded a 7.37 per cent one-year median return and a 7.36 per cent median 10-year annualized return.
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During the quarter, Canadian institutional investors saw positive returns from fixed income and private asset classes despite a volatile equity market, noted the report. Canadian equities (3.58 per cent) recorded the highest return for the reporting period among traditional asset classes, while global equities (negative 0.94 per cent) and U.S. equities (negative 1.96 per cent) delivered the lowest returns.
The report also noted hedge funds (2.97 per cent) private equity (2.58 per cent) and real estate (1.16 per cent) all posted positive returns in the alternatives category.
“With the continuation of the geo-political and economic uncertainty, Canadian pension plans remain on solid ground with a modest positive return in the quarter,” said David Cohen, director of global risk solutions at BNY Mellon, in a press release.
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