Europe

UK - Warwickshire Pension Fund has invested in property and a fund of hedge funds, after being "steered away" from private equity by its consultancy firm, Mercer.

UK - The BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) has more than doubled its allocation to alternative assets from 7% to 15%.

UK - Communication is higher on pension funds' agenda than returns, according to studies by Higham Dunnet Shaw (HDS) which highlighted the need to improve trustee knowledge and understanding.

ITALY - A public sector strike was looking increasingly likely today as ministers discussed pension reforms this morning.

EUROPE - Two major reports have given pension funds the green light for private equity investments, despite claims the vehicle had become too risky.

UK - The Pensions Regulator has outlined its key priorities for the next three years in its corporate plan.

UK - The London Borough of Newham Pensions Fund has appointed JPMorgan Asset Management (JPMAM) to manage a £15m currency mandate. The assets will be invested in the JPM Managed Currency Plus Fund.

EUROPE - Up to 70% of payouts from US securities class actions remain unclaimed by UK and European institutional investors.

FRANCE - Antoine de Salins, executive director of the French Reserve Fund (Fonds de Reserve pour les Retraites, or FRR), has revealed the fund intends to launch a tender for a commodity index provider.

EUROPE - The European Commission (EC) has opened infringement proceedings against nine EU member states for their alleged discriminatory taxation of dividend and interest payments to foreign EU pension funds.