Global

INCLUDING: IRELAND - New IAPF chairman, AUSTRALIA - Australian supers push for better value beta, NORWAY - RREEF joins up with Fazenda, ITALY - €1.3bn poured into Italian pensions, KOREA - ING grabs Landmark.

CHINA - The Social Security Fund (SSF) may purchase a stake in China Southern Power Grid, which is the smaller of the two state power transmission companies, according to reports.

GLOBAL - MSCI Barra's new plans for the transition of two global equity indices have been slammed by HSBC and competitor FTSE as costly for fund managers and a step back for the provider.

GLOBAL - A report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned that the value of compulsory pension systems will drop by an average of 22% in 16 member states.

GLOBAL - A total of US$85bn in new institutional assets will be allocated into hedge funds in the next two years, according to a report by Private Equity Intelligence (Prequin).

BRAZIL - Brazil is on track to achieve "full investment grade" status within 18 months, which according to HSBC, could potentially offer institutional investors access to a large number of fixed interest instruments.

GLOBAL - Hedge fund managers have stepped up to defend the fees they charge pension funds.

AUSTRALIA - The Enhanced Analytics Initiative's (EAI) assets under management grew to €1.85trn (US$2.4trn) as it welcomed two new Australian superannuation associate members.

GLOBAL - The US, Germany and UK have agreed on the need to draw up a code of conduct for the hedge fund industry, according to German finance minister Peer Steinbrueck.

GLOBAL - Investec reported pre-tax operating profit increases of 20% in its annual results.