Asia

JAPAN - Non-portable corporate pensions have prevented an improvement in the allocation of labour in Japan, according to a country report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

INDIA - India's labour and finance ministries have locked horns over the introduction of pension reforms. While the labour ministry has suggested that the reforms be introduced in a phased manner the finance ministry wants a nationwide implementation...

SINGAPORE - Henderson Global Investors is again expanding its fixed interest horizons by establishing a Singapore-based fixed interest capability.

ASIA/PACIFIC - Only one of the Asia-Pacific universes made it into the black in September with the Bank of Bermuda AsiaHedge long/short Japan Index scraping into positive territory by the skin of its teeth, up 0.02%.

SINGAPORE - Singaporean wealth levels at retirement rest critically on the interlinked national retirement and housing programmes, according to a new paper by David McCarthy, Olivia Mitchell and John Piggott.

ASIA-PACIFIC/SWEDEN - AP4 has hired three managers to handle its first foray into Asia Pacific and Japan, totalling around US$554m.

UK/ASIA - Henderson Global Investors is set to shed 100 jobs as part of a cost-cutting programme by its parent AMP.

UK/JAPAN - Schroders has strengthened its global credit team with three new appointments, bringing the total number to 15.

ASIA - Most commentators believe that Asia is well placed to benefit from a global economic recovery.

ASIA - Govett Investments predicts an improved financial outlook in Asia, following the US rate cut and a rise in Asian equities in October.