Mercer said the estimated funded status of pension plans sponsored by S&P 1500
fell companies 1 percentage point in June to 109% following US equity declines.
Mercer estimates the surplus aggregate fell $7.0 bln to $139.0 bln at end-June
from $146.0 bln at end-May. Mercer partner Matt McDaniel said strong May nonfarm
payrolls increased market bets on Fed hikes later this year, weighing on
equities in early June.