The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has announced that it had net assets of CAD159 billion at the end of 2011, up from CAD151.7 billion one year earlier. The Caisse's private equity portfolio continued to perform well, generating a 7.1% return thanks primarily to buyout activities. This portfolio had annual returns of 10.8% in 2009 and 26.7% in 2010. The Caisse manages funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance plans.