Mercer

US - The defined benefit (DB) plans of US companies have improved their funding from 2008 lows, but still showed a funding gap of US$252bn at March 31 2010, a report from Mercer revealed.

The current refinancing gap for middle market companies created by banks' unwillingness to lend is providing mezzanine debt investment opportunities for schemes, Mercer says.

GLOBAL - The current refinancing gap for middle market companies created by banks' unwillingness to lend is providing mezzanine debt investment opportunities for schemes, Mercer said.

Australian funds have begun to look at currency following a period of uncertainty. Rachel Alembakis looks at what new strategies are being adopted

In the first of two features detailing the first meeting of our DC World Steering Club, Helen Morrissey asks how investment strategies are evolving

The aggregate deficit of FTSE350 companies stood at £160bn at the end of Q1 despite positive asset returns, Mercer figures say.

A batch of 40-year inflation-linked gilts - being sold by the Debt Management Office this week - has been branded as "expensive" by a consultant.

The trustees of the £40m British Horseracing Authority pension scheme have appointed Mercer to provide implemented consulting services.

Pension funds are joining other institutional investors in grabbing an increasing share of secondary hedge fund market, as David Walker reports

Geraldine Brassett of Mercer looks ahead to the advent of personal accounts and advises on how employers can meet the duties required by the new legislation