Investment Management

Resource Search

Research Perspectives
Publish Date

Mercer’s Research Perspectives covers a wide variety of investment topics. This edition includes a discussion on liquid alternative investments, actively managed global small-cap equities, features our new study on climate change, introduces the Chinese bond market and closes with an interview with Stefan Hepp who joined Mercer through the acquisition of SCM, a private markets research firm headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.

The Family Office Playbook: Core Beliefs and Key Asset Allocation Recommendations Summary
Publish Date

In this paper, Cara Lafond explores family office characteristics and makes recommendations for asset allocation strategies that ensure growth of assets and preservation of capital and purchasing power, two goals that have been identified as important to most family offices. She emphasizes the importance of downtown risk mitigation and argues that seeking consistent returns and avoiding losses is more important than pursuing outsized gains.

Private Equity Liquidity: A Work in Progress
Publish Date

The phrase “private equity liquidity” once felt like an oxymoron, but the picture is rapidly changing.Liquidity has traditionally meant something very different for private equity than it has for other types of investments. While investors in other vehicles could trade their positions quarterly, monthly, or daily, those in closed-end private equity funds typically agreed to have their capital locked up for a number of years before they saw a return. But as private equity investment vehicles and trading venues advance, that difference is now diminishing.

Evolving in the New Operational Frontier
Publish Date

Every battle is won before it’s fought,Sun Tzu wrote in “The Art of War.” As the legendary Chinese military strategist observed more than 2,500 years ago, understanding the terrain in which a battle will be waged is critical for those who want to prevail

Horizons: Global View of Mid-market Deal Activity
Publish Date

This specialist white paper provides detailed insight into the current credit markets, and an international view of mid-market Mergers and Acquisitions deal activity and developments on a per country basis from 2014 to Q1 2015.

Private equity roundup for Africa 2015
Publish Date

Rapid expansion across the emerging markets is perhaps the most important development for the Private Equity industry. Interest in Africa has never been higher and it continues to see strong interest from investors. Fundraising trended higher in 2014, and the value of transactions nearly doubled during the year. Private Equity's impact in the region is only beginning to be felt. The next decade promises to be an exciting time for Private Equity in the region.

One Family’s Perspective: Building a Vision for an Investment Program
Publish Date

Family member and private investor Oakleigh Thorne will be part of an interactive discussion through the use of a moderator regarding his investment approach since the sale of his family’s business, Commerce Clearing House, 20 years ago. He will share the lessons he has learned in the process and also talk about his experiences as a diversified investor in both public and private markets. Mr.

Energy Opportunities: How to Make Money in Oil, Gas and Power Sectors
Publish Date

Stuart Porter will discuss investment opportunities in energy such as oil and gas as well as renewables. Mr. Porter will talk about energy pricing and US shale production, the energy renaissance in North America versus conditions in the rest of the world, and the role of technology in the energy sector. In addition to more traditional energy sources, Mr. Porter will also address the opportunity around renewables. Bottom line, the session will focus on one question: How do you make money in energy? Session includes Q&A with the audience.