OMERS had a 16.4% return on its investments in 2006&#8212the fourth consecutive year of double-digit returns.

Net investment income for 2006 was $6.5 billion, compared with $5.5 billion in 2005.

The fair market value of net assets increased 15.9% to $47.6 billion from $41.1 billion in the previous year.

The strong 2006 returns were due to the successful execution of its investment strategy, anchored by the buoyant public markets and the strong returns realized by real estate, infrastructure and private equity, says OMERS president and CEO Paul Haggis.

OMERS is also continuing its long-term strategy to increase its holdings in private equity, real estate and infrastructure to 37.5% of net investment assets from the current 24.2%.

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