Omers posts 15.7% return with surge in private equity, stocks

The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System returned 15.7 per cent last year, driven by gains in its private equity and stock holdings.

The increase, which exceeded the 6.6 per cent benchmark, pushed net assets to $121 billion (US$95.4 billion). Net investment income stood at $16.4 billion, the Toronto-based pension fund said in a statement Monday.

Among the pension fund’s investments is a stake in Azure Power Global Ltd., a renewable power power producer in India, and oil distribution firm BridgeTex Pipeline Co.