Compensation overall rose across all regions, the North East saw the largest increase in total compensation.

With the exception of several senior level job functions, total compensation increased by 3% or more across most job functions.

Compensation for financial professionals trading Fixed Income products in Asia increased in the past 12 months.

Average fees paid increased in all asset classes, likely driven by the move towards specialty product categories.

Investors shifted towards passive U.S. equities this year, but the commitment to active in other categories remains strong.  

Strong equity markets buoyed DC equity allocations in 2014, while target date funds continue to grow.

While funding levels remain the key issue, risk management increased in importance across both corporate and public funds.  

Corporates are seeking to derisk and diversify while publics actively seeking returns to close persisting funding gaps.

Allocations to Canadian equity continued their decline while international equity and hedge fund allocations increased modestly.

Fixed income trading desk budgets increased in 2014.