Cryptocurrencies: on the cusp of mainstream?

Cryptocurrencies have a track record, albeit a relatively short one, of resilience after large crashes. What's changed and how does it link to the broader economy?

Riders on the Storm

When markets enter rough waters such as we've seen in 2020, there are often second-order effects worth thinking about which aren't immediately on an investor's radar.

Explaining Mercer’s rating process with Citywire

Mercer’s Deb Clarke and Sean Chatburn are featured in the May 20 edition of Citywire, where they discuss their investment strategy selection and rating process, and what it takes for a portfolio manager to get a high rating from them.

Contemplating Cash – Return of the King

Cash rates are low, and the asset class offers investors little. Or does it? As this article by Mercer’s David Scobie discusses, at times cash can be worth its weight in gold in an investor’s portfolio, but be wary not to overdo it.

Why Support the Low Carbon Transition? It is in Investors’ Best Interest

In a number of jurisdictions, financial regulators have indicated that many investors will need to consider climate-related risks in order to comply with their existing fiduciary duties.

Investing in (and for) our future

Investing in (and for) Our Future is a paper produced by the World Economic Forum in conjunction with Mercer. Currently, employee retirement plans have left individuals increasingly responsible for their own retirement...

Investing in Real Assets | Mercer at the CFA Society New Zealand

In May 2019, Philip Houghton-Brown and Padraig Brown presented at the CFA Society New Zealand, a full-day forum where key industry experts gathered to discuss Alternative Finance and Alternative Investments.

The search for a single source of truth

Asset owners and managers are seeking to generate a single data record across the organisation, for governance, compliance, quality management and operational efficiency.

What E&F Trustees can learn from the new workplace savings scheme

In Mercer’s 2018 Endowments and Foundations Survey, we noted that superannuation scheme trustees were required to adjust their governance practices in response to the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013...

Climate change progress could be held back by lack of clarity on ESG factors

The climate change debate has taken centre-stage, dominating discussions at every level of society, from the media to the boardroom and politics. Through the lens of the natural environment, individuals and businesses ...

Bitcoin or bust: Should Cryptocurrencies be in your investment portfolio?

In this article David Scobie, Head of Consulting at Mercer Investments, outlines the drivers behind the enthusiasm and considers some of the challenge

The Perils of Picking Managers Based on Past Performance

Do your instincts lead you astray? In this article, David Scobie from Mercer Investments New Zealand explains how referring to past performance has its uses when selecting investment products, but can be a comfort ...

The Right Benchmark is the Bedrock of Strong Active Management

If you think your fund manager has added value, you may well be right. But as Mercer’s David Scobie explains, before reaching that conclusion, make sure you take a good look at the benchmark.

The Investment Managers Meeting Purpose For Profit

For any organisation devising a formal policy on responsible investing principles, getting the policy right and persuading all interested parties to take action is formidable enough. But an even greater challenge ...

Why Responsible Investing has come of age

Increasingly the discussion around the board rooms of New Zealand's blue-chip companies and heavy-hitting institutional investors is not about how to boost profits and share prices – but how to do good.

How fund managers are rethinking risk and reward

Globally, companies and institutional holders responsible for trillions of dollars of client funds are waking up to a new reality: acting and investing responsibly should be an integral part of an organisation’s overall risk management.

Trump's Trade Tariffs: Terminal or Tactical Tit for Tat?

On the 23rd of March 2018, under the guise of national security, a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminium imports went into effect in the United States of America, as directed by President Donald Trump.

Governance models evolve to help drive better investment outcomes

Increasing investment complexity, cost pressures and regulatory requirements are leading institutional investors to seek new ways of devising and implementing their investment strategies.

Is a bear market on the horizon?

Recently, the VIX volatility index, commonly known as the ‘fear gauge’ of Wall Street, spiked to nearly 25, although it remained well below 37, which was the level hit in February.

10 Years After The Global Financial Crisis - 10 Lessons To Learn

With the 10th anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers upon us, it is instructive to look back over the period and ask ourselves what, if anything, we have learned from living through these exceptional events. As is often the case, actual new lessons to be learned may be few, but there are som

Tech FAANG Phenomenon Gives Bite to Global Equities

It’s hard to believe that no-one on Earth had a smartphone until 2007. Today, studies show we check them on average about 50 times a day.

Investing in Bonds: Do they have your back?

A fundamental shift is underway for global bonds. The sector has delivered a slightly negative return for the calendar year to date*, and the medium term outlook is looking subdued with bonds facing a number of headwinds.

The Global Risks Report 2019

Profound political, economic, societal, technological and environmental transformations are occurring at an unprecedented scale and pace and have become a part of day-to-day business life.

Global Risk Report 2018

The velocity of political and technological change is compelling organizations to strengthen their resilience against shocks and surprises.

China's ascent towards global leadership

We Need To Be Better Than 'Optimal'

Understanding Inflation and Its Impact on your Portfolio

The Case for Traditional Hedge Funds

Crossing the bridge to Sustainable Infrastructure Investing

Building a bridge to Sustainable Infrastructure

Responsible Investments the active side of Passive Management

The Global Risks Report - 2018

Cryptocurrencies - Fools Gold or The Future

APRC cyber risk in Asia Pacific