Magna "has had good returns," said Mr. Tadross, the analyst.
"For a relatively small investment, states could see huge returns," said Diane Rowland, the executive vice president of the foundation.
"They are doing everything they can to boost returns," said Glenn Schorr, an analyst at the Japanese bank Nomura.
"High risk also means the potential for high returns," said Mr. Clayton, the founder of Leopard Capital.
In some years, the charity's tax returns said it raised more than $1 million for the school.
"At some point there's a law of diminishing returns," said Dr. Recht of Beth Israel Deaconess.
"Tomorrow night Liza Minnelli returns," said Larry King on Wednesday night.
"They've provided us with superb returns," said Rollie Wisbrock, chief of staff for Oregon's treasury.
The returns said he was similarly required to stay periodically on weekends at the country home in Kinderhook, N.Y., which sold for $4.1 million in 2008.
"These types of investments generally offer more stable patterns of returns," said Louis P. Stanasolovich, president of Legend Financial Advisors in Pittsburgh.
"There are some people who have their noses out of joint, but the real question is, which man returns?" said Bill Miller, a political consultant based in Austin.
