RBC Investor Services reported that Canadian defined benefit pension plans posted a median return of 6.0% in Q2 2026, buoyed by positive returns from both equities and fixed income for the first time since Q3 2025.
Q2 2026 defined benefit pension returns – Highlights
+6.0%
Total
+3.0%
Canadian fixed income
+7.0%
Canadian equities
+15.1%
Global equities
As a longstanding provider of asset services to Canadian pensions, RBC Investor Services sees firsthand how plans are positioned and what that means when markets move. Our quarterly pension insights reflect the performance of a broad cross-section of Canadian institutional investors.
Please refer to the press release for additional insight into returns and asset mix trends. For a conversation specific to your needs, contact your RBC Investor Services representative.