Europe

UK - The negative impact pension fund liabilities have on companies is being exaggerated by stock market commentators, a leading investment bank claims.

UK - The government has been criticised for its "non-committal stance" over whether the Equitable Life inquiry can recommend compensation for policyholders.

UK/EU - UK Unions have vowed to oppose any move from the government to water down an EU directive that gives agency workers the same pension rights as permanent staff.

EUROPE - Investors in European private equity and venture capital are still in for a rocky ride despite "solid" returns over 2002.

UK - OPRA has defended its decision to allow pension schemes to delay giving members written value calculations when they want to transfer out.

UK - Alan Parmenter has been hired by Brainpower - the provider of enterprise-wide investment analytics, attribution and decision-support solutions - as UK company manager.

UK - Supermarket giant Tesco has flouted the recommendations of the Higgs Review by naming a long-standing board member as its new chairman.

UK - Pension funds are being warned to monitor borrowing levels at department store giant Selfridges if it mortgages its flagship Oxford Street store.

UK - Aberdeen Property Investors is urging schemes to increase property allocations and predicts they will return approximately 7.8% per annum over the next 30 years.

UK - A Tory Bill to amend the age-75 rule has cleared the first hurdle and will now get a second reading in the Commons.