The New York State Common Retirement Fund's (Fund) overall return in the first quarter of the state fiscal year 2015-2016 was 0.52 percent for the three-month period ending June 30, 2015, with an estimated value of $182.5 billion, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

"The first quarter presented a challenging investment climate," DiNapoli said. "Nevertheless, New York's pension fund remains strong and well-positioned for the future with a smart, long-term investment strategy."

The Fund's estimated value reflects benefits paid out during the quarter. The Fund's audited value was $184.5 billion as of the end of the state fiscal year on March 31, 2015.

As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had approximately 38.5 percent of its assets invested in publicly traded domestic equities and 15.0 percent in international public equities. The remaining Fund assets by allocation are invested in cash (1.5 percent), Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) (4.8 percent), bonds and mortgages (21.7 percent), private equity (7.5 percent), real estate (6.4 percent), absolute return strategies (3.6 percent) and opportunistic alternatives and real assets (1.0 percent).

DiNapoli initiated quarterly performance reporting by the Fund in 2009 as part of his on-going efforts to increase accountability and transparency.

About the New York State Common Retirement Fund

The New York State Common Retirement Fund is the third largest public pension fund in the United States. The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. The Fund has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation. The Fund's fiscal year ends March 31, 2016.