HENDERSON Global Investors has launched a pooled equity fund with a target return of 2-3pc above the FTSE All Share benchmark.

ADVENT SOFTWARE has appointed 20 new staff in a bid to help hedge funds service demand from pension schemes.

SKANDIA Investment Management has responded to demand from pension funds by launching an institutional share class for its Global Property Securities fund.

A FREE guide for trustees has been published by Alexander Forbes Financial Services to explain the latest developments in key areas.

UK - Dorset County Council pension fund has invited applications for a manager to run an active currency mandate. The fund has allocated £35m, representing 2% of the portfolio, for the allocation.

Including: UK - Henderson launches high alpha UK equities fund; UK - IMA annual survey; CANADA - Brookfield Asset Management plans spin-off; US - Higher tax on PE could hurt pension funds; GLOBAL - New fund launched to offset long only volatility

US - Iowa Peace Officers Retirement System has adopted the Dow Jones Wilshire Index Family, to benchmark its equity investment portfolio and monitor fund managers.

Court finds against broker in landmark judgment; Lloyds lifts dividend as it agrees to sell Abbey Life; Standard Life policyholders are promised slice of £1.3bn orphan funds; US markets slide further as mortgage lender stops loans

CHINA / GERMANY - Harvest Fund Management Co Ltd, a Deutsche Bank AG fund joint venture, has reportedly won approval to invest overseas under China's Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDII) programme.

INCLUDING: NIGERIA - Pension assets hit US$4.8bn; UK - Waltham Forest shakes up management; GLOBAL - Watson Wyatt releases its managerial performance; EUROPE - International Asset Management in CEO appointment.