UK - Almost a third of institutional investors plan to increase their allocation to commodity-based Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) over the next five years, according to Lyxor.

UK - Defined benefit (DB) pension schemes are still in deficit but funding bounced back by £19bn ($34bn) last month, despite the market turmoil, according to Aon Consulting.

UK - The Pensions Management Institute is warning trustees they may still be liable for pension funds that have been wholly bought out, despite the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) claiming it would step in if an insurer went bust.

NETHERLANDS - Former Cardano director Geert-Jan Troost has joined Watson Wyatt Worldwide's investment consulting practice as senior investment consultant.

Schemes and other investors should not panic as a result of yesterday's market falls, fund managers say.

Private equity finding it harder to ditch pension liabilities; Lehman Brothers completes third sale of assets as investment unit realises $2.15bn; Companies must pick up more of the burden of healthcare and state pension costs; B&B deal to add £30bn to...

Publishing group Coughlan Companies has appointed Gissings Consultancy Services to advise the creation of a benefit plan for employees transferring into the firm.

HSBC Actuaries and Consultants has appointed Paul Armitage as head of defined contribution to grow the business.

The final guidance to assist trustees in calculating transfer values for defined benefit schemes has been published by The Pensions Regulator.

Growing numbers of defined contribution sponsors and trustees are receiving only adequate service from providers, a Watson Wyatt survey reveals.