NETHERLANDS - The €19bn PME has invested €250m, or roughly 1.5% of its total assets, in a forestry project.

THE PENSIONS Regulator has updated its guidance on providing lump sum death benefits.

Age discrimination regulations don't leave enough time for pension changes; Ashmore boss set to make £170m in company's IPO; Prudential loses Egg chief

UK - The London Borough of Newham Pension Fund is tendering an active currency mandate worth between £25-30m.

ANGLO IRISH Bank has launched a guarenteed bond for pension schemes and other investors.

EUROPE - European Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) managers can effectively compete against their US counterparts in the niche markets, although they would struggle in some of the more mainstream ones.

NEW STAR has launched a hedge fund electronic traded security that will track performance of the 250 hedge funds in the RBC Hedge 250 index.

GLOBAL - Pension funds run the risk of creating a "vicious circle" of demand for bonds, stated the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

THE majority of people in the UK have lost faith in investing in pensions, a report published today claims.

CANADA - The C$41bn Ontario Municipal Employees' Retirement System (OMERS) has bolstered both its real estate and infrastructure portfolios with the purchase of seven hotels and laboratory services firm MDS Diagnostic Services.