Inside MERS Investments

How the Upcoming Elections may Impact Financial Markets

(Recorded 08/07/2024) If uncertainty breeds market volatility, what should investors expect in a Presidential election year? MERS Chief Investment Officer Jeb Burns puts this and other questions to Louis-Vincent Gave, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Gavekal is a financial services company headquartered in Hong Kong. Mr. Gave gives his thoughts on the market impact of our upcoming elections, as well as some of the long-term trends he sees affecting global markets.

Your AAV and the Effect of 2023 Investment Performance on Employer Contributions

(Recorded 06/06/2024) In 2023, the MERS Defined Benefit (DB) Portfolio significantly outperformed our actuarial assumed rate of return. We discuss how, based on this performance, a portion of the excess gains were used to lower the assumed rate of return reflected in your most recent Annual Actuarial Valuation (AAV) and the effect this will have on employer contributions. Email questions to InsideMERSInvestments@mersofmich.com. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.

2024 Q1 Review and Look Ahead

(Recorded 04/17/2024) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the first quarter of 2024. We also discuss asset classes, allocation, and the importance of diversification. Email questions to InsideMERSInvestments@mersofmich.com. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.

2023 Year Review and Look Ahead

(Recorded 02/07/2023) Review market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the 4th quarter of 2023. We then focus this episode on reviewing asset allocation and governance. Email questions to InsideMERSInvestments@mersofmich.com. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information. 

2023 Q3 Review and Look Ahead

(Recorded 11/02/2023) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the third quarter of 2023. We focus this episode on market volatility and how MERS’s performance is impacted by overall market forces, how we strategize for “down” markets and economic uncertainty, and where that has positioned us at this point. Email questions to InsideMERSInvestments@mersofmich.com. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.

2023 Q2 Review and Look Ahead

(Recorded 08/02/2023) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the second quarter of 2023. We focus this episode on MERS’ performance, inflation and the impacts on private markets. Special Guest Ed Mikolay, MERS Director of Private Markets, joins us.

2023 Q1 Review and Look Ahead

(Recorded 05/11/2023) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the first quarter of 2023. We focus this episode on market volatility and how MERS’s performance is impacted by overall market forces, how we strategize for “down” markets and economic uncertainty, and where that has positioned us at this point. Email questions to InsideMERSInvestments@mersofmich.com. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.

2022 Q4 Review and Look Ahead

(Recorded 02/07/2023) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2022. We focus this episode on a summary of the 2022 performance year, the upswing it made in the last quarter, and what that might indicate for the economy and markets for the coming year. Email questions to InsideMERSInvestments@mersofmich.com. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.

2022 Q3 Review and Look Ahead

(Recorded 11/16/2022) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the third quarter of 2022. We focus this episode on market volatility and how MERS’s performance is compares to the benchmark and overall economy, how it adjusts to market forces for long term goals, inflationary impacts, and year-end predictions. Email questions to InsideMERSInvestments@mersofmich.com. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.

2022 Q2 Review and Look Ahead

(Recorded 7/18/2022) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio. We focus this episode on market volatility and how MERS’s performance is impacted by overall market forces, how we strategize for “down” markets and economic uncertainty, and where that has positioned us at this point. Email questions to InsideMERSInvestments@mersofmich.com. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.