UK - The first quarter of 2011 saw a 24% fall in levels of interest rate hedges by pension funds, research by F&C shows.

GLOBAL - Manager search activity increased in 2010 with emerging markets and alternative asset classes receiving most interest, research by Mercer reveals.

ASIA - Asian stocks are increasingly offering both share price growth and dividend income, Newton believes.

CANADA/GERMANY/US - The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has acquired holdings in a string of shopping centres in Germany and the US.

AUSTRALIA - The A$36.1bn ($38.6bn)Victorian Funds Management Corporation (VFMC) has reported overall of 3.63% Q1 and an annual return of 8.43%.

US - The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is to implement environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments developed with think-tank Ceres.

AUSTRALIA - The proposed tax incentives announced in this week's budget should enhance the appeal of infrastructure as an asset class, but structure and costs must remain the primary considerations for institutional investors, Towers Watson has warned....

NETHERLANDS - Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP recorded a return of 13.5% (€28bn) in 2010, its fourth highest figure since the Government lifted investment restrictions on the scheme 18 years ago.

ASIA - Baring Asset Management has appointed Wilfred Sit as chief investment officer of its Asia business.

IRELAND - The levy imposed on pension funds to finance a plan to create 100,000 jobs over the next four years will not be increased or extended, the Government has pledged.