Mercer Investment Consulting ran 20 per cent more searches for alternative asset managers globally in 2007 than it did the previous year.

Mercer advised on 762 manager searches across the world in 2007, representing $US76.3 billion in assets placed. Searches in alternatives were up by approximately 20 per cent around the world since 2006. Andy Barber, global and European head of research at Mercer said: “The key trends of earlier years are clearly continuing, including a steady increase in search activity in non-tradition asset classes.” Global equity continued to be the most popular product category among Mercer clients, with 158 searches accounting for $US19.5 billion, but it was down from $US29 billion in 2006. Search activity in Australia declined to 82 in 2007 from 110 in 2006; but the amount of assets placed increased from $US9.3billion to $US10.1 billion, reflecting a trend for larger placements.