OMERS posts 6.7 pct return in 2015 with help of alternative assets: Reuters

The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) said on Friday it generated a 6.7 percent return in 2015, helped by a strong performance of alternative asset investments.

OMERS said net assets rose to more than $77 billion (U$56.92 billion) in 2015, up from $72 billion in 2014.

Its public investments—which encompass publicly listed equities and interest-bearing investments—posted returns of less than 1 percent in 2015, while bets in private markets, like private equity, real estate and infrastructure, returned some 14.5 percent.

While private market returns remained solid, financial markets are being challenged by slower global growth, continued low interest rates and increased volatility, the Canadian pension fund manager said in a statement.

In 2015, OMERS received $3.8 billion in contributions from plan members and employers, and paid out $3.4 billion in benefits.

Founded back in 1962, OMERS is one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans and one of the country’s top pension fund managers.

(Reporting by Euan Rocha; Editing by W Simon)

(This story has been edited by Kirk Falconer, editor of PE Hub Canada)

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