SWEDEN - One of Sweden's biggest institutional investors, AMF, reported that positive investment returns of 12.6% for 2009 helped it to further strengthen its balance sheet last year.

US/CANADA - Manager search activity by institutional investors in North America is set to increase 13% above 2009 levels, potentially resulting in a shift in assets of US$420bn this year, a survey by eVestment Alliance and Casey, Quirk & Associates revealed....

US - The American International Group (AIG) has agreed to pay US$8m to settle a lawsuit launched by the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), which accused the insurer of poor disclosure and bid-rigging.

EUROPE - A third of multi-national companies operating in Europe are set to implement pan-European pension arrangements by 2015, Hewitt Associates has forecast.

A third of multi-national companies operating in Europe are set to implement pan-European pension arrangements by 2015, Hewitt Associates forecasts.

EUROPE - The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (EP) started their scrutiny of the latest draft of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM) directive focusing on the exemption of pension funds and other entities....

CANADA - The University of Toronto pension and endowment fund is set to adopt profound changes to its investment strategy and its investment management structure following a 30% loss on its assets during 2008.

US - A federal court ruling certified a class action led by three Ohio pension funds accusing the American International Group (AIG) of securities fraud, but excluded bondholders from the class.

NEW ZEALAND - The New Zealand superannuation fund posted returns of 1.97% for the month of January.

Hermes and the Universities Superannuation Scheme have filed a request with the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeals for an investigation over Canon's tender offer worth €730m (£642m) to buy Océ, the biggest European printer maker.