CHICAGO, May 23, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ibbotson Associates today announced the expansion of its research department with the additions of Dr. Jeffrey Mercer as director and Dr. Barry Feldman as a consultant.
Dr. Mercer's career as a researcher and professor of finance spans almost a decade. He joins Ibbotson from Northern Illinois University where he chaired the department of finance. He has taught courses in security analysis and portfolio management, derivative securities, financial markets and commercial bank management.
A prolific researcher and writer, Jeffrey Mercer is the author of numerous financial research papers and a contributor to academic textbooks. He co-authored groundbreaking research into business conditions, monetary policy and expected security returns. He also has expertise in futures, small-firm and value-stock premiums and asset allocation. Mercer earned his Ph.D. and M.S. degree in finance from Texas Tech University.
Dr. Barry Feldman has extensive experience in both the worlds of business and academia. He joins Ibbotson from Scudder Kemper Investments where he was manager of sales operations analysis. While at Scudder Kemper, Feldman conducted market and operations analysis. Prior to Scudder Kemper, Feldman worked as an analyst in the market dynamics group of AT&T. Dr. Feldman was a researcher at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He earned his Ph.D. in economics from the State University of New York, Stony Brook and his B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
"Ibbotson Associates was founded on academic research. And, from that tradition has grown a company that produces products and services that have become industry standards," said Clay Singleton, vice president of asset allocation consulting and training. "We are very excited to welcome Drs. Mercer and Feldman to the company. The knowledge and vision that they bring will help drive the continued success of our consulting practice and our product development."
Ibbotson Associates, founded by Professor Roger Ibbotson in 1976, is the world's leading authority on asset allocation, providing products and services to help investment professionals make the best asset allocation decisions for their clients.
The company's business lines include consulting and research; investment forecasting, planning and analysis software; educational services ranging from on-site workshops to computer based training; and a widely used line of presentation materials designed to educate clients on asset allocation concepts and investment principles. With offices in Chicago and New York, Ibbotson Associates fills a growing need in the finance and investment industry for an independent, single source provider of investment knowledge, practical application expertise, leading edge technology, educational services and sales presentation tools. Ibbotson markets its integrated product line of investment analytical tools and services to institutional money managers, plan sponsors, and consultants. The company's clients also include financial planners, brokers, mutual fund firms, private bankers and small money managers.