Asia

JAPAN -The Japan Pension Funds Association has revealed a potential list of new investment allocations into areas such as real estate, hedge funds, infrastructure, commodities and an expansion of private equity.

JAPAN - State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) has exclusively revealed plans to launch global exchange traded fund (ETF) products in Japan to boost the options available to investors.

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans are turning away from annuities in favour of higher monthly payouts that may not last for the rest of their lives.

JAPAN - The world's largest pension portfolio, the Japanese Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), has begun the process of selecting new candidates to run mandates for the active management of domestic and foreign equities.

JAPAN - Japanese politicians have proposed creating a giant Y200trn pension scheme which would incorporate the world's current largest, the Y110trn Japanese Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF).

SOUTH KOREA - The National Pension Service of South Korea (NPS) has chosen BNY Mellon Asset Servicing and State Street Corporation to provide global custody, securities lending and other services as it builds up its skills.

SOUTH KOREA - The National Pension Service (NPS) of the Republic of Korea has reportedly entrusted about US$2bn to the World Bank and two investment firms in an effort to boost its investment skills.

ASIA - A Watson Wyatt survey of some of the largest institutional investors in Taipai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur has found liability driven investment (LDI) is still overwhelmingly equated with bonds and the use of swaps is minimal.

INDIA - FTSE Group and Indian infrastructure specialist, Infrastructure Development Finance Company Ltd (IDFC), have launched the first ever Indian infrastructure index, with investable products expected to be launched in August.

INDIA - The State Bank of India (SBI), UTI Asset Management and the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) have been appointed to manage part of the R17bn (US$400m) government pension fund.