
Top 10 Products Among Institutional Investors
Credit: U.S. Institutional Markets 2012, Cerulli Associates

10. PRIVATE EQUITY MANDATES
88% received No Requests
Since the financial crisis of 2008, the amount of dry powder has been high, with private equity firms sitting on more than $1 trillion
in dry powder at the end of 2011. When they decide to allocate to private equity, 43% of institutions hire an external consultant to
assist in their alternatives due diligence process. -Cerulli

9. REAL ASSETS (E.G., TIMBER) MANDATES
28% Received One or Two Requests

8. REAL ESTATE MANDATES
6% Received One or Two

7. TAIL-RISK HEDGING MANDATES
21% Received One or Two Requests
With interest rates and default rates at historical lows, investors are in search of yield and adding to their high-yield allocations.
Meanwhile, as corporate pension plans continue to derisk, there is a need for more long-duration products to better manage
their risk profile and match the duration of their assets and liabilities. -Cerulli

6. RESTRICTIONS AGAINST HOLDING CERTAIN SECURITIES
20% Received One or Two Requests
We have found that many large public pension funds are adopting processes for integration of ESG investments into their
portfolio, Michele Giuditta, associate director at Cerulli, explained. As institutional markets become increasingly competitive, asset managers are finding ways to diversify
their offerings and socially responsible investing is one form of diversification we are seeing.

5. HEDGE FUND MANDATES
22% reported One or Two Requests
"Hedge funds and other alternative assets are also anticipated to continue to attract more assets over the next few years, as institutional investors look for non-correlated assets and greater diversification," Cerulli said. "While recent hedge fund flows have decreased, institutional investors long-term allocations are expected to increase."

4. MULTI-ASSET CLASS PRODUCTS
20% Received One or Two Requests

3. SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE/GREEN/SUSTAINABLE MANDATES
30% Received One or Two Requests
"Interest in socially responsible and environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has increased in recent years from more than just non-profits. Many large public pension funds are adopting processes for integration of ESG investments into their portfolios," Cerulli said.

2. LONG DURATION FIXED-INCOME MANDATES
24% received One or two requests
With interest rates at historical lows, investors are in search of yield and adding to their high-yield allocations. Meanwhile, as corporate pension plans continue to derisk, there is a need for more long-duration products to better manage the risk profile and match the duration of their assets and liabilities. - Cerulli

1. EMERGING MARKETS MANDATES
20% received One or two requests
Over the last year, there have been several requests (reported by 55% of managers surveyed) from clients to run emerging market (both fixed income and equity) mandates. With interest rates at historical lows, investors are in search of yield and adding to their high-yield allocations. -Cerulli