MNPA HAS appointed Altus in a bid to improve the efficiency of scheme returns to HM Revenue & Customs.

FRANCE - French civil servants' fund Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations has purchased a 25.5% stake in Eutelsat Communications, which is worth €862.7m.

US - A strong performance in most capital markets could not stop the funded status of US pension plans falling 0.8% in November, according to Mellon Financial Corporation.

Pensions backlash as Brown alters ASP rules; Trustees face fines for delays on pension fund help; Employers warned of retirement challenge dangers; Pru shares boosted as chief lines up UK arm for sell-off

INDIA - Pension funds are not yet ready to invest in Indian infrastructure despite the "fantastic" opportunities available, said Sam Mahtani, manager of F&C's emerging markets fund.

SPAIN - Demographic developments will require pension policies that are geared towards rebalancing the sources of growth, according to Miguel Fernández Ordónez, governor, Bank of Spain.

US - The Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) exceeded assumptions during the first three quarters to post an 8.9% return, driven largely by an impressive performance from its private equity and real estate portfolios.

AUSTRALIA - Transition managers in Australia have raised concerns that the birth of a T-Charter, as is being developed for the UK market, could have the adverse effect of giving credibility to underqualified managers.

Schemes are keeping billions of pounds of liability-driven investment mandates secret for fear of driving up prices, fund managers say.

SWEDEN - The SEK188.2bn Första AP-fonden (AP1) was behind a group of Nordic and US shareholders which pushed hotel chain Marriott International to address child sex tourism at its Costa Rica premises.