Mercer is one of the world’s largest investment consulting firms, managing approximately $380 billion in delegated assets and advising on trillions more. A subsidiary of Marsh McLennan, Mercer’s investment practice serves institutional investors including pension funds, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, and sovereign wealth funds across more than 40 countries.
Investment Strategy
Mercer’s investment business operates across two primary models: advisory consulting and delegated investment management (OCIO). In its advisory capacity, Mercer provides strategic asset allocation, manager research, portfolio construction, and risk management recommendations. Through its delegated business, Mercer Investments takes on direct portfolio management responsibility, implementing investment decisions on behalf of clients.
The firm’s manager research platform is one of the most widely referenced in the institutional investment industry. Mercer’s global research team evaluates thousands of investment strategies annually and maintains a proprietary rating system that covers public and private market managers across all asset classes and geographies.
Mercer’s scale and breadth of client relationships provide significant data advantages. The firm’s proprietary databases cover fund performance, fee benchmarking, and asset allocation trends across its global client base.
Private Markets Approach
Mercer’s private markets research and advisory capabilities span private equity, real estate, infrastructure, private credit, and hedge funds. The firm’s dedicated alternatives research team produces manager ratings and thematic research that guide client allocation decisions.
In private equity, Mercer covers buyout, venture capital, growth equity, secondaries, and co-investment strategies. The infrastructure and real estate teams advise on core through opportunistic strategies globally. Mercer’s private credit research covers direct lending, mezzanine, distressed, and specialty finance.
For delegated clients, Mercer implements private markets allocations directly, selecting managers, negotiating terms, and managing portfolio construction on behalf of investors. The firm also offers private markets fund-of-funds vehicles that provide diversified access for smaller institutional investors. Mercer operates from offices in major financial centers worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Mercer's advisory and managed assets?
Mercer advises on over $17 trillion in assets through its investment consulting practice and directly manages approximately $380 billion through its delegated investment and OCIO business, Mercer Investments.
What alternative investment capabilities does Mercer offer?
Mercer offers manager research, selection, and monitoring across private equity, real estate, infrastructure, private credit, and hedge funds, along with delegated management solutions that include direct portfolio implementation.
Who is Mercer's parent company?
Mercer is a subsidiary of Marsh McLennan, a global professional services firm. Mercer's investment consulting business operates alongside its health, wealth, and career advisory practices.
