Christopher Witkowsky

Tulane University’s $1bn endowment says the financial downturn has provided access to funds that would have been closed to the endowment pre-meltdown, as it looks to invest in up to 10 new PE and RE managers in the coming year.

Despite still reporting a negative 10.8% return for the second quarter, the $221bn pension said its real estate performance had done much better than expected with intial estimates predicting a devastating -37.1% return.

The Blackstone Group will not have a problem attracting LP capital for its next real estate funds, unlike other firms, according to the firm’s chief Steve Schwarzman.

The State Investment Council last week preliminarily approved increasing its alternatives allocation including real estate, and made its first private equity-like commitment since early 2009.

Timothy Recker has taken over the chairmanship of the Institutional Limited Partners Association from outgoing chair Joncarlo Mark of CalPERS.

Quadrangle co-founder Steve Rattner could pay $6m and face a two-year ban from the securities industry, the WSJ reports. The deal is expected to be finalised today.

The Oregon Investment Council chose this week to withhold a tentative, $400m commitment to the firm made alongside its original $400m pledge last year.

New Mexico’s $14bn oil and gas endowment, a long-time investor in private equity, hasn’t made a commitment since early 2009. SIC wants to commit to six funds over the next 12 months.

The US state’s $63bn pension, which has not made a commitment since 2008, currently has a 7% private equity target.

CalSTRS committed to Wes Edens-led Fortress’ second Credit Opportunities Fund, which is believed to be targeting $2bn. The vehicle will focus on distressed resl estate loans and securities among other things.