An increase in bond yields probably helped large U.S. defined benefit pension plans overcome a drop in stock prices in October.
An asset-liability performance index provided by Towers Perrin Forster & Crosby Inc. inched up to 67.4 at the end of the month, from 67.3 at the end of September, according to consultants in the firm’s Stamford, Conn., office.
The index stood at 79.3 stood at Oct. 31, 2008.