Mercer’s Investments Research Perspectives offers you the latest insight into investment trends, tools and strategies gathered by our global team of research and consulting professionals.

 
 
Global research perspectives 2022
 

Managing a Hedge Fund Allocation - What is the recipe for success?

In our experience, finding the best managers and assembling them in a diversified framework through disciplined position sizing is the hedge fund recipe for success.

Private markets for endowments and foundations

Investors should be open to the potentially attractive and diversifying return sources available in illiquid asset classes (private markets).

What should endowment investors be doing about inflation?

Explore actions endowment & foundation investors can and should take at a strategic, portfolio and manager level to improve resilience and navigate inflation.

Mid-year market outlook 2022

Can inflation be curbed without a crash landing? At the start of 2022, our outlook for the year was broadly positive. Half-way through, we remain upbeat, though with an element of added caution.

A landscape overview of transition-oriented climate indexes

Client interest in transition-oriented climate indexes has increased, and as a result, so have the offerings from index providers.

Commodities in an inflation-aware portfolio

Rising inflation levels in the US and other developed markets have had everyone asking whether the trend is transitory or something more structural?

The ESG spotlight turns to natural capital

Investors are starting to understand that protecting natural capital is the next big challenge and an essential component of mitigating climate change.

Steady as she goes: Keeping your calm in down markets

After a nerve-wracking journey over the last two years, we entered 2022 with hopes of a smooth ride, only to find ourselves in another asteroid field of challenges.

Inflation: Turning up the heat

The Russia-Ukraine crisis: further pressure on inflation.

Private markets – Top considerations for 2022

Why invest in private markets? In our annual alternative investments paper, we examine key considerations across the various private market asset classes from the perspectives of both investors and fund managers.

Top considerations for endowments and foundations in 2022

A number of economic and market issues pose serious questions for investors about where to find long-term opportunities. We uncover what we believe should be top-of-mind for endowments and foundations in 2022.

Raising your impact ambition - A case for impact investment

Impacting targets the interconnections between investments and the effect they have on people's lives and our environment. Executed well, this approach can provide a diverse range of new investment opportunities.

Economic outlook 2022 and beyond

Read our global economic outlook where we explain why we think 2022 will be the year of economic recovery.

Themes and opportunities 2022 and beyond

Discover three key investment themes we believe investors should consider in their decision-making in 2022.
 
 
Global research perspectives 2021
 

Inflation protection – hope for the best but build robust portfolios

The question is whether the post-reopening bout of inflation will persist, and if so, how will it affect portfolios?

Investment Podcast Series:
Critical thinking, critical issuesSM

Join Mercer experts, in our brand new podcast series, to hear insights, market themes, new ideas and where opportunities may lie for investors in 2021 and beyond.

The power of change

As institutional investors’ increasing appetite to embrace and promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within their investment portfolios coincides with a push into private markets, we have explored how they can be intertwined within their investment strategy.

The case for a dedicated China equity allocation

We believe investors should have a larger allocation to China’s onshore market through a dedicated China equity allocation.

Inflation and Disinflation: Debate Rekindled

Arguments for both inflation and disinflation are compelling. We carefully consider both sides.

The road to recovery: Market outlook 2021

We invite you to get our perspective on how 2020 is shaping 2021, their global and regional economic impact, viewpoints on markets and how investor can set themselves up for the next year.

Themes and opportunities 2021

We’ve summarized the key themes and opportunities investors need to look out for in 2021 in this paper.

 
 
Global research perspectives 2020
 

How to be ready for investment opportunities?

Applying an opportunistic mindset may potentially deliver enhanced return outcomes with the right governance approach.

What do I do with my factors?

Building robust equity portfolios in uncertain times

Is there still a strategic, long-term case for value?

The performance of “value” style investing through the COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions over the relevance of the value factor in building robust equity portfolios.

Navigating a pandemic-driven market crisis: Investment governance and strategy

How to convert global systemic risks into sustainable returns during the pandemic.

Where do we go from here: A consideration of past equity market downturns

We examine past market downturns of similar magnitude and predict possible influence on current investor portfolios.

COVID-19 elevates the value of responsible investing

Responsible investing (RI) and environmental social and governance (ESG) analysis has been evaluating and evolving systems approaches and studying resilience for some time. The value of ESG analysis is becoming increasingly clear. Read this paper to get our views.

Time to buy high yield debt

High yield credit spreads have widened significantly. The time for investors to consider the opportunities within the sub-investment grade sector and in particular high yield is now. Read this paper to get our views.

The impact of COVID-19 on alternative assets

What are some of the impacts COVID-19 will have on alternative investments? Read this paper to get our views on the investment implications.

Rebalancing in troubled markets: Guidelines for investors

Rebalancing in troubled markets is a risk-management discipline. Read this paper to get our views on portfolio implications.

Recent developments and the market impact

Coronavirus continues to cause a severe shock to the global economy, likely pushing it into a recession. Read this paper to get an update on the affects this may have on global growth.

Coronavirus Outbreak Update: Investment Implications

The recent outbreaks of the virus may add to the uncertainty and widen the range of outcomes for global economic growth.

2020 Themes & Opportunities

Change is on the horizon, learn more on 2020 Themes & Opportunities and the impact on responsible investing.

Investment implications of coronavirus

What affect could the Coronavirus have on the economic growth? Read the latest take on the Coronavirus from Mercer’s Research Investments team.

Economic Outlook 2020

Stay informed with our take on the latest investment research and best thinking
 
 
Global research perspectives 2019
 

Diversity and culture impact mercer's manager ratings, what about yours?

Learn how diversity making Mercer’s investment research team better. Are you reaping the benefits at your company?

Cash - Return of the king? Find out if cash should be part of your future investment strategy.

Cash as an investment option may currently be more attractive than it used to be. Can including cash in more conservative portfolios help with risk reduction?

What are the benefits and drawbacks of dividend investing?

Equity income strategies have a role to play within an investor’s portfolio. What might be their role in yours?

Active versus passive management

Money talks, and more of it flows to passively managed assets each day. Find out more about active and passive management challenges.

Q&A on income strategies

It is critical to understand the different types of investors—how their income needs & risk profile can differ substantially—before designing an investment solution.

A guide to responsible investment indices

The shift toward Responsible Investment (RI) equity has asset managers considering a wide range of indices to manage ESG risk.

Sustainability is gathering momentum: A theme and an opportunity for 2

How could actions taken today impact on economy of tomorrow? Join us on a journey to sustainable investing.

Equity manager selection

How relevant is past investment performance in picking the winners of tomorrow? Learn more about possible connections.

From QE to QT: Building robust portfolios

The transition from quantitative easing to quantitative tightening is likely to create an environment of heightened investment risks.

Preparing for late credit cycle dynamics

Find out the indicators and characteristics of the late stage of the credit cycle and how it might impact asset performance.

Infographic: Real assets

Allocations to real assets can play different roles in investment strategy design. Find out the characteristics, types and risk/return factors of real assets.

Allocating to real assets

Find out how the characteristics of real assets can enhance your investment strategy.

Building a real asset portfolio

Continuing uncertainty with equity markets and rising interest rates strengthen the case for allocations to real assets in your portfolio..

The role of listed real assets

Learn how listed real assets can contribute to portfolio diversification when an investor is faced with liquidity constraints.

2019 market volatility: Risks and opportunities update

We evaluate the global events that led to a major sell-off in 2018’s fourth quarter and provide recommendations to navigate more turbulence ahead.

The ABC of ESG – A new perspective on business responsibility

Responsible investment can have a material impact on financial performance and is more likely to lead to sustainable investment outcomes.

Making sense of multi-asset investment strategies

Multi-Asset investments continue to be popular choice within portfolios. Understanding of the diversification strategies become more important than ever.

Are active small cap equities the way to diversify?

Explore our investment research into how to diversify your portfolio and potentially increase your returns.
 
 
Global research perspectives 2018
 

10 years after the global financial crisis: 10 lessons from 2008

With the 10th anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers upon us, it is instructive to look back and ask what we've learned from living through these events.

Cyber security: A growing operational risk in the investment managemen

Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and have a more significant impact, while the targets of these attacks are becoming more high profile.

Themes and opportunities 2019

These four themes impacting the global economy rise above the day-to-day developments affecting investment decisions. Discover which trends to tune your strategy.

Economic and market outlook 2019 and beyond

What will 2019 bring for the global economy? Find out what Mercer experts say about the slight weakening they are expecting to see.

Inflation Awareness Understanding Inflation And Its Impact On Your Por

Learn more on how to build a clear assessment of your inflation needs, and review the risks and extent of exposure to inflation within your portfolios

What’s your approach to benchmark-agnostic fixed income strategies?

Deciding which benchmark-agnostic fixed income strategies to pursue is complex. Here’s how can you identify strategies that best fit your investment objectives
 
 
Global research perspectives 2017
 

4 Themes that will shape global investment opportunities in 2018

Read more about the forces that will shape the global investment opportunities in the upcoming months.

Mercer’s global outlook 2018 shares 3 key insights

Learn more about global economic outlook, investment roadblocks and risks that you might want to consider in 2018

The case for the gold investment: Safe haven or volatile commodity?

Gold has been attracting more attention from the investors in recent times. Learn more about cases for and against gold investment.

Looking to de-risk and diversify? Consider a multi asset credit strate

Are you new to multi asset credit? Consider alternative ways to shape your investment strategy today.

Is it time to reconsider your investment strategy?

The case for bonds, equities and investment risk management

Are passive managers being active enough?

Explore how passive managers can be active collaborators and stock owners with latest research.

The performance differential for high-yield ETFs may shock you

Let’s focus on exchange trading funds (ETFs).

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