Mercer examines the big investment picture: NZ


		E-mail this page				Print this page

Contact: Mercer Feedback

Mercer examines the big investment picture at Asia Pacific Investment Forum: NZ

New Zealand
Auckland, 9 April 2008

While the funds management industry may have taken a hit in the recent global stockmarket turmoil, Mercer believes the time is ripe for investment managers to be looking forward for new value creating opportunities.

In light of this, the plight of smaller economies in a global market environment, the practical implications of climate change on investing, and tax changes affecting investments will come under the spotlight at Mercer’s Asia Pacific Investment Forum conference for institutional investors and asset managers, to be held in Auckland on May 5.

Tony Cole, head of Mercer’s investment consulting business for Asia Pacific, said the conference was designed to provide new insights into the most pressing issues facing investors today.

“For example, much attention has been centred on the consequences for capital markets of an unwinding of excessive leverage triggered by the sub-prime crisis. What started as a US housing cycle bust has cascaded into a domestic recession and serious disruption of global financial markets. The rest of the world may have decoupled from the US sufficiently to avoid slipping into recession as a result of falling US demand, but can it withstand the impact of dysfunctional credit markets?

“Given that investment in Asian markets has become popular with a large number of institutional investors, we’re interested in the possible implications if China were to unpeg its currency from the US dollar and what impact this would have on China’s growth and global inflation. And, ultimately what it will mean for local investment managers.

“But Mercer also believes that while the current economic climate may be unsettling it does create many opportunities for investment managers to add value, and so the conference will have a strong focus on innovative, forward looking strategies for growth.”

Presentations will include:

Meeting the investment challenges of smaller economies by Peter Muldowney, head of Mercer’s investment consulting business in Canada

Social mission versus investment performance by Helga Birgden, Asia Pacific leader for responsible investment at Mercer

Tax changes and investment strategy: past lessons and future developments by Heathcliff Neels, a principal at Mercer, New Zealand

Mercer will also release exclusively to conference attendees a new paper on the Chinese monetary policy “A fistful of Yuan: the good, the bad and the ugly” by Harry Liem, a Mercer consultant and author of the book 2020 Vision, Investment Wisdom for Tomorrow.

The event will be held on 5 May at The Westin, Lighter Quay in Auckland. For further information or to register please visit www.mercer.com.au/apif08.

Media opportunity:

Keynote speaker Peter Muldowney will be available for an interview on 5 May in the morning if you would like to arrange an interview please contact Anita Agosta on +61 408 425 329.