Finland
One-third of Nordic investors to increase hedge fund exposures
NORDICS - Nordic investors are continuing to show optimism in hedge funds with nearly a third planning to increase their exposure this year to strategies like global macro, event driven and long/short funds, a new report shows.
Europe's leaders are winning debt battle, Loeyttyniemi says
EUROPE - European leaders are winning over investors as they try to keep the single-currency bloc intact, raising the appeal of the region's so-called rescue bonds, said Timo Loeyttyniemi, the head of Finland's state pension fund.
VER up 5.3% in Q1
FINLAND - Valtion Elåkerahasto (VER), Finland's state pension fund, gained 5.3% during the first quarter on the back of its equity investment performance.
Neste Oil transfers scheme to OP Life Assurance
FINLAND - Neste Oil will transfer is supplementary pension plans to insurer OP Life Assurance, the firm said today.
Pension funds invest in Finnish bonds
FINLAND - European pension funds scooped up nearly a fifth of Finland's recent €3bn (US$4.4bn) bond issuance, the State Treasury said.
Surviving the global crisis
Finland has been feeling the impact of the global economic crisis, but unlike other countries it has strong diversification tactics
Finnish Government backtracks on increasing retirement age
FINLAND - The Finnish government has withdrawn its plans to increase the pension age in increments from 63 to 65 from 2011, after reaching an agreement with the three main labour unions and employers.
Etera posts 17% investment loss
FINLAND- Finish pension insurer Etera posted a 17% loss on investments in 2008 down from positive 4.5% the previous year.
Finnish workers' fury at pension age increase
FINLAND - The Finnish government's decision to increase the minimum age for pensions from 63 to 65 without consulting labour organisations first has sparked anger among unions and workers.
Finnish insurer joins equity exodus
FINLAND - The €5.3bn (US$6.8bn) Finnish insurer Etera has reduced the share of its equity investments amid market turmoil, MandateWire reports.
Varma sheds equities for bonds
FINLAND - The €27bn (US$34.6bn) Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company has further reduced its investments in listed shares, MandateWire reports.
Finland proposes measures to help pension funds
FINLAND - The government has proposed temporary measures to ease pressure on pension funds to sell shares into a slumping market.
VER records negative result
FINLAND - Finland's State Pension Fund (VER) investments yielded a return of -6.4% in the first half of 2008, compared to 3.4% in the same period of 2007, the fund has announced.
OECD: Pension reform needed in Finland
FINLAND - The challenges of an ageing population and rising health costs are posing risks to the long term sustainability of Finland's public finances, the OECD's annual economic survey of the country has warned.
LGPI invests in Asian property
FINLAND - Aberdeen Property Investors has announced the investment of US$75m from the Finnish Local Government Pensions Institution (LGPI).
Finns invest in private equity
FINLAND - Finnish local government pensions institution, KEVA, and insurance company, Etera, have allocated to private equity.
Finland sets up reform watchdog
FINLAND - The Finnish government has set up a pension forum to monitor and assess the implementation of reforms in the sector.
Pension Fennia increases market share
FINLAND - Private sector pension insurer Pension Fennia has increased its market share to 10.6%, up from 10.2% the previous year.
Disappointing results for Tapiola
FINLAND - Tapiola Pension's investment income has dropped to 4.1% during 2007, down from 6.8% in 2006, despite all asset classes performing positively.
Opera strike thwarted
FINLAND - After an eleventh hour deal, a strike has been avoided by the Finnish National Opera (FNO) over a pay and pensions row.
Nokia transfers pension liability
FINLAND - Nokia Pension Fund is to transfer the statutory pension liability of Nokia and Nokia Siemens networks in Finland to the pension insurance companies Ilmarinen and Varma in March 2008.
Pension funds oppose Elisa proposals
FINLAND - Proposals to amend the corporate structure and strategy of telecoms operator Elisa have been opposed by Finland's largest private sector pension insurers.
Church awards ethical mandates
FINLAND - The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has awarded two socially responsible European equity mandates worth €60m (US$88.9m).
Finns invest in metal
FINLAND - Finnish investment institutions have invested in nickel and copper projects in North Finland, run by Candandian based firm Scandinavian Minerals.
