Mercer

UK pension schemes are actively selecting bond managers for specialist mandates to diversify and reduce risk. Andrew Short examines the changing attitudes to fixed income and bond allocations.

Government pension reform and the rising cost of defined benefit schemes is leading to increased centralisation and renewed focus on employee benefits by multinational firms, a study shows.

GLOBAL - The increasing visibility of retirement and benefit programmes at senior level within multinational companies has started a trend towards global oversight, said Mercer.

Andrew Short asks if absolute return funds are failing to fulfil their remit and whether they still have a role to play in today's fund portfolios

US - Market volatility in the first six trading days of August has dealt a severe blow to S&P 1500 pension plans, with the aggregate funded status decreasing by $191bn, figures from Mercer show.

SL Capital Partners; CalPERS; Mercer; Capita Hartshead Actuarial and Consultancy Services; MGM Advantage; Baring Asset Management; Schroders; Frontier Investment Management; Informa Investment Solutions

US - The aggregate deficit of S&P 1500 pension plans increased by $74bn in July, new figures from Mercer show.

Mercer has recruited Paul O'Connor as head of asset allocation for its investment management business in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

UK - Mercer has recruited Paul O'Connor as head of asset allocation for its investment management business in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

JAPAN - Mercer is considering launching its implemented consulting service in the Japanese institutional market.