Your Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation is a resource for your church. The Foundation investment program can help ensure that endowments, scholarship funds, designated gifts and other long-term assets are administered appropriately by providing fiduciary oversight and long-term continuity.
The investment program seeks to preserve principal, maintain purchasing power, and provide reliable and sustainable income for the support of ministry. In addition, Foundation education materials and programming are available to assist your volunteer committees in building a strong and vital stewardship program.
To learn more, contact the Foundation office at 800-259-6863.
Investment Summary Q4 – 2018
The 4th quarter was a difficult one for investors with many asset classes seeing their largest declines in a decade. Continued uncertainty regarding trade and tariff negotiations with China, possible future interest rate increases by the Fed, and concerns of a slowing U.S. economy weighed on the markets. U.S. large stocks in the S&P 500 Index were down (9.0%) for the quarter after peaking at an all-time high in the 3rd quarter. The S&P 500 ended the year (-4.4%). International stocks in the MSCI EAFE Index were down (12.9%) for the quarter and (16.1%) for the year.
Quarters like these remind us our investment focus remains long-term. While these periods can be difficult to watch in real time, our diversified and disciplined approach includes not overreacting or trying to outguess the markets in the short-term. This strategy has served us well over the years.
| Year-to-date December 31, 2018 |
Trailing 3 Years December 31, 2018 |
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| Diversified Fund | (6.9%) | 5.3% | |
| Lipper Median* | (6.0%) | 4.5% | |
| Over (Under) Performance | (0.9%) | 0.8% | |
| Endowment Investment Fund | (6.9%) | 5.3% | |
| Lipper Median* | (6.0%) | 4.5% | |
| Over (Under) Performance | (0.9%) | 0.8% | |
| Fixed Income Fund | (1.1%) | 3.6% | |
| BC U.S. Aggregate | (0.0%) | 2.1% | |
| Over (Under) Performance | (1.1%) | 1.5% | |
| * – Median returns from the Lipper mutual fund universe for balanced funds in the asset class category. As of 01/08/2019, the universe consisted of 5,083 peers. Source: Wilshire Associates, Lipper, and Wespath
Notes: Historical returns are time-weighted and net of all fees. Returns greater than one year are annualized. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. |
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Quarterly Funds Analysis
Endowment Investment Fund
Diversified Fund
Fixed Income Fund