Vanguard tops the list of favored asset manager for pensions and non-profits with more than $250 million in assets, according to the latest edition of U.S. Institutional Investor Brandscape, issued by Cogent Reports.

That Vanguard is preferred by pensions and non-profits is notable for the fact that each segment has distinct investing needs.

More and more pension investors are focusing on de-risking their portfolios with liability driven investment strategies.

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Where as non-profits are more actively seeking higher returns with growth assets like real estate, private equity and commodities, the report says.

"Larger pensions are drawn to asset managers they perceive to deliver strong, consistent investment performance, a high degree of integrity and transparency, and optimal fee structure," said Linda York, senior vice president at Cogent.

Non-profits more often value product innovation, like socially responsible approaches, and exceptional relationship management, explained York in a press release.

"The fact that Vanguard tops the consideration lists of both segments of the market is evidence of the success the firm has in tailoring its product offering, service model and competitive positioning," said York.

On the pension side of the survey, 6 money mangers made this year's top 10 that were not in the last year's top 10:

  • T.Rowe Price #2

  • GMO #3

  • Eaton Vance #4

  • Northern Trust #5

  • Bridgewater Associates #8

  • Loomis Sayles #9

Several other firms joined Vanguard in place in the top 10 for both pensions and non-profits:

  • State Street Global Advisors ranked sixth and ninth respectively

  • Bridgewater Associates ranked eighth and second respectively

  • Dodge and Cox ranked 10th and eighth respectively

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Nick Thornton

Nick Thornton is a financial writer covering retirement and health care issues for BenefitsPRO and ALM Media. He greatly enjoys learning from the vast minds in the legal, academic, advisory and money management communities when covering the retirement space. He's also written on international marketing trends, financial institution risk management, defense and energy issues, the restaurant industry in New York City, surfing, cigars, rum, travel, and fishing. When not writing, he's pushing into some land or water.