Institutional Investors Bullish, Yet Lowering Returns Expectations

Institutional investors remain bullish but have lowered their stock market returns expectations, according to a new study from Commonfund.

Returns expectations 6.25% over next three years

The study asked institutional investors for their returns expectations and concerns in 2014 and over the next three years.  After a strong 32 percent return in the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) Index last year, investor expectations going forward are more towards the mean.  In 2014, investors generally expect the index to rise near 6.5 percent. Average annual return expectations over the next three years for the S&P 500 Index are 6.25 per­cent, down from last year’s survey results of 7.1 percent, according to the report.

The survey of 200 investors, representing a 35 percent response rate, represented...