Investment horizons: Do managers do what they say?

February 2010

This report demonstrates that investment managers themselves underestimate turnover and often do not live up to their stated claims when it comes to the holding periods for the stocks in their portfolio. As well as examining the investment horizon of active equity investment managers, the report explores the causes, consequences and possible solutions to short-termism from the investment managers’ perspective.

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The current economic and policy climate in the United States is creating new momentum for energy efficient buildings. This report provides direct and indirect real estate investors with the background information, academic and industry research, case studies, key steps and best practices for integrating energy efficiency across their portfolios.

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17 November 2009

Academic research continues to support the hypothesis that specific environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors can make a positive contribution to investment performance. This report summarizes and comments on sixteen academic studies—ten of which show a positive relationship between ESG factors and financial performance.

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Environmental Alpha - A collaborative response to climate change

1 November 2009

Danyelle Guyatt’s chapter in the new book, “Environmental Alpha: Institutional Investors and Climate Change,” discusses the pros and cons of a collaborative response to climate change and what an effective response might look like.

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Corporate governance and resource security in China

25 September 2009

Dr Xinting Jia's new book, co-authored with Professor Roman Tomasic, Chair of Company Law, Durham University, explores corporate governance and resource security associated with the transformation of leading resources companies in China.

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16 July 2009

A significant number of mainstream investors have "turned a corner" on how they put responsibility into practice, according to the third annual assessment of signatories to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Key findings show signs of a growing culture of active ownership and collaboration among investors. Mercer was engaged to support the PRI reporting and assessment process for the third year in a row.

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Carbon footprint analysis

15 July 2009

Clients are increasingly looking to evaluate their fund managers against ESG criteria and carbon footprint across their investments. A “carbon footprint” is a measure of the impact that a company has on the environment in terms of CO2-equivalents produced. We offer a range of carbon footprint analysis services for clients to monitor managers on a quarterly and annual basis, as compared to the benchmark.

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15 July 2009

Companies that operate in states on the US Department of State’s list of state sponsors of terrorism or in countries with controversial regimes can be subject to significant financial, operational and reputational risk. However, avoiding investments in these companies may expose a portfolio to risks as well. In order to provide fiduciaries with quantitative and qualitative information to address these issues, the Responsible Investment team has created a framework that assesses risks and impacts of divestment from operating in a particular country or line of business.

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Research identifies large scope to improve carbon footprint of investment portfolios

5 July 2009

As governments strengthen legislation and regulation on greenhouse gas emissions, the potential exposure of earnings to carbon costs across portfolios could have a knock-on effect on pension fund returns. WWF commissioned Trucost and Mercer to analyse the greenhouse gas emissions and potential carbon costs associated with UK-based equity funds.

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