1998 Survey of Derivatives and Risk Management Practices by U.S. Institutional Investors

Richard M. Levich, Gregory S. Hayt and Beth A. Ripston

New York University, Leonard N. Stern School Finance Department Working Paper Seires from New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business-

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a survey of U.S. institutional investors regarding their use of derivative securities and risk management practices. The survey focuses on three categories of institutional investors - pension plan sponsors, college and university endowments, and private foundations. Among many findings, we report that 46% of institutions permit their asset managers to use derivatives. The fraction permitting the use or derivatives ranges from 63% for pension plan sponsors, to 38% among college and university endowments and to 28% for private foundations. Of those institutions that permit derivatives use, only 59% reported open derivatives positions as of year-end 1997. Thus, only 27% of all respondents to the survey reported outstanding derivatives positions. However, other evidence suggests, that this is a conservative estimate of derivatives positions. Where derivatives are used, the positions tend to be small relative to total assets. The modal notional value of derivatives as a percent of assets is 1.0%, while the median value is 5.0%. Risk governance surrounding derivatives at institutional investors appears to be less intensive than at banks and securities dealers. However, the large majority of institutions (80%) place some limitations on the nature or extent of derivatives activity among internal or external managers.

Date: 1999-10
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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