Institutional investors are increasingly interested in emerging markets and alternative assets to enhance diversification in their portfolios, according to Mercer’s Global Manager Search Trends 2011 report.
The report revealed that globally manager search activity increased in 2010, with search activity in Australia almost doubling, from 120 in 2009 to 216 in 2010. The report noted that in Australia there was a sharp rise in assets placed, from US$7.7 billion to US$14.9 billion.
Manager search activity also revealed an increased interest in real estate, emerging market equities and niche areas, such as commodities. Investors also sought diversification through international and domestic equity.
“We saw a lot of manager movement in Australian equities last year and search activity focused on smaller fund asset managers with highly rated teams,” said Mercer head of manager research for Asia Pacific, Marianne Feeley. “Our clients have also been looking for small cap managers, as small cap outperformed large cap in 2010. Another possible driver behind the increase in Australian equity searches is the tendency of some managers, particularly boutiques and small cap, to close to new investments.”
New research has shown that investing in alternative assets and using active management has, to this point, delivered strong results for Australian super funds.
Australia’s $4 trillion superannuation industry is fundamentally reshaping the nation’s external accounts, setting the stage for a more sustainable current account surplus despite weaker commodity markets.
Rest has expanded its portfolio of renewable energy infrastructure by supporting a Victorian solar farm and battery project.
Economic growth was weaker than expected, once again highlighting an economy largely sustained by population growth and government spending.