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Mercer’s investment manager search activity was strong in 2004, reaching an all-time high in terms of assets placed. Overall, we advised on 764 manager searches globally during 2004. These searches accounted for US$84 billion worth of assets placed, up 27% from 2003.

Contents of the report include:  2004 Mercer's investment consulting search summary statistics  Global search activity trends  Region specific profiles: U.S. Canada U.K. Europe (ex-U.K.) Australia Asia New Zealand

Report highlights

• U.S. equity was the most popular single product category, with 90 searches accounting for US$6 billion of assets placed.
  
  
• In second place was global equity, which had been the most popular category in 2003 and in 2002, with 85 searches and US$9 billion worth of assets placed during 2004.
  
  
• Currency overlay attracted the greatest increase in interest with 28 searches and US$10 billion worth of assets placed. This was a dramatic increase from 2003 when we advised on just 8 currency overlay searches.

Mercer’s global search activity (top 5 ranked on 2004 searches)

Report description

This 35-page report provides valuable insights on our institutional clients’ investment manager hiring patterns and trends around the world. The report is based on search activity reported by our consultants through our Global Investment Manager Database (www.mercerGIMD.com). It provides an overview and details of search activity globally and by region – U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe ex-U.K., Australia, Asia, New Zealand – and written commentary of previous and future expected trends.

 Please contact us with any questions.

Mercer is a leading global provider of investment consulting services, and offers customized guidance at every stage of the investment decision, risk management and investment monitoring process. We have been dedicated to meeting the needs of clients for more than 30 years, and we work with the fiduciaries of pension funds, foundations, endowments and other investors in some 35 countries. We assist with every aspect of institutional investing (and retail portfolios in some geographies), from strategy, structure and implementation to ongoing portfolio management. We create value through our commitment to thought leadership; world-class, independent research; and top-notch consultants with local expertise.