RBC says Canadian defined-benefit pension plans post 6% median return in Q2 2026

RBC says Canadian defined-benefit pension plans posted a 6% median return in Q2 2026, lifting year-to-date performance to 6.4%.

• Global equities led with a 15.1% quarterly gain; emerging markets surged 26.1% in CAD, driven by Korean and Taiwanese semiconductor names.
• US equities returned 17.1% in CAD; information technology rose 34% as semiconductors and equipment jumped 52.2%.
• Canadian equities gained 7%; financials jumped 25.6% while energy fell 5% as oil prices reversed following a US-Iran military shock.
• Client fixed income returned 3% versus 2% for the FTSE Canada Universe Bond Index; the Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25%.