NETHERLANDS - The €81.1bn PGGM was the best performing Dutch pension fund in Q4 and 2006 overall, followed by ABP and PME.

US - The PBGC has taken on two Venture Holdings pension funds with a combined shortfall of US$12.4m - just one day after assuming $12m pensions shortfall from Foss Manufacturing.

GLOBAL - Northern Trust Corporation announced record net income for 2006, boosted by a strong fourth quarter, and 13% growth in assets under management to US$697bn.

GLOBAL - State Street Global Advisors' (SSgA) revenue increased 26% in 2006 as assets under management reached a record US$1.7trn in the Q4 2006, compared to $1.4trn in the year-ago quarter.

UK - B&CE Benefit Schemes has appointed Invesco Perpetual to manage a £70m UK equity mandate. 

FIRMS must improve pension disclosures in company accounts to ensure they are not misinterpreted by investors and other stakeholders, Report Leadership urges.

GLOBAL - Russell Investment Group has responded to a shift in focus in the global investment market by taking its equity indexes global.

US - The US$225bn CalPERS accused the Shaw Group board of approving "egregious" severance packages, and has rallied the top 5000 company shareholders to back a proposal to counter excessive shareholder compensation.

Fears that an imminent European Court of Justice ruling could lead to huge rises in Pension Protection Fund levies have been played down by lawyers.

UK - The Society of Pension Consultants (SPC) has appointed James Hodge as its new chairman.