United Kingdom

UK - Almost half of defined benefit (DB) schemes have shifted their asset allocations from equities to bonds over the past 12 months, data from Aon Consulting has revealed.

GLOBAL - Investors have backed calls for the reform of credit ratings agencies (CRAs), a survey by the CFA Institute has found.

UK - Industry leaders in the UK have welcomed the Association of British Insurers' (ABI) report on insolvency risks and the role of sponsors' covenant as a "useful first step" but cautioned there is still a long way to go for it to be entirely useful....

UK - Capital requirements for pension fund buyout providers could force some players off the field as major investors look for better returns on their limited liquid outlay.

UK - Strikes at the country's major airports have been averted as unions agreed terms of a new pensions deal with operator BAA.

UK - Employees could boost pension contributions into their defined contribution (DC) pension schemes by up to 20% by embracing salary exchange, Fidelity International revealed today.

UK - The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has called for "energy and focus" on implementing the proposals issued by the HM Treasury after consultation on its Myners Review.

UK - Major institutional Marks and Spencer (M&S) shareholders have announced their intention to vote against the company's annual report and accounts at the annual general meeting (AGM) next week.

UK - The number of private sector employees still in open defined benefit (DB) schemes has fallen below the minimum long-term level expected by the Pensions Commission, Watson Wyatt has revealed.

UK - Industry figures have offered a luke-warm welcome to The Pensions Regulator's (TPR) wind up guidance.