Europe

UK - The abuse of inside information within the derivatives market and the lack of insurance confirmations could pose definitive risks to pension funds invested in the space, the Financial Services Authority warned.

ITALY - Simply "retouching" the Italian pension system could turn out to be more costly than doing nothing at all, warned Tito Boeri (pictured), director of the Italian think tank Fondazione Rodolfo Debenedetti.

UK - Henderson Infrastructure Holdco Limited's (HIH) acquisition of John Laing has received a green light after the construction firm agreed a £886.9m bid.

UK - Niall Paul has been promoted to head of equities at Morley Fund Management following the departure of Tim Thomas - who spent less than a year in the post.

NORWAY - Changes may be underway for the NOK1.5trn (€180bn) Norwegian Government Pension Fund's low return volatility investment strategy which is being reviewed by the ministry of finance.

EUROPE - The commercial property market across Europe is on the cusp of a boom, with rents set to continue rising thus boosting the asset class's total return, said ING Real Estate Investment Management.

UK - Removing the retirement age, withdrawing means testing and offering financial incentives could be the answer to boost progress on pensions, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) has claimed.

UK - The £1bn Warwickshire Pension Fund said it was making its first foray into alternatives after it tendered for fund of hedge fund and also property investment management services, worth £50m each.

UK - JPMorgan Asset Management (JPMAM) has appointed Amanda Sillars as investment director, covering institutional and investment trust accounts.

UK - Henderson has refused to comment on media reports it had agreed an £800m takeover for infrastructure projects company John Laing.