Europe

UK - There is a growing recognition by asset owners that companies with active, informed shareholders are more likely to create value than those without Hermes Equity Ownership Services (EOS) believes.

US/UK - Prudential Retirement has completed its first longevity reinsurance transaction with UK-based Rothesay Life.

UK - Industry figures have backed calls for companies involved in mergers and acquisitions to disclose their intention for the target company pension scheme prior to the deal.

FRANCE - The Fonds de reserve pour les retraites said it is 143% funded, more than enough needed to fund its liabilities through to 2024 as mandated by the government.

UK - The standard of governance within the hedge fund industry is exposing schemes to high risks and needs significant improvements, the £30bn ($49bn) Universities Superannuation Scheme says.

EUROPE - Total assets managed in Europe bounced back to €13.8trn ($19.8trn)at the end of 2010, research from the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) shows.

UK/UAE - UK-based pensions and investment consultant LCP has opened an office in Abu Dhabi in a bid to meet increasing demand for advice in the region.

EUROPE - A European parliamentary committee has backed proposals to exempt pension funds from rules forcing them to clear over-the-counter derivative transactions through central counterparties.

GLOBAL - Have you missed the biggest stories in pensions this week? Find out below, as we list the top 10 most popular stories on www.globalpensions.com over the past seven days.

UK - Scheme sponsors are increasingly transferring property to insurance companies in risk reduction deals as insurers develop innovative ways of taking on scheme liabilities, experts say.