Global

UK - ETF Securities is to launch 29 separate ETCs in the UK within the next few weeks, allowing access to a chocolate box of previously inaccessible commodities.

GLOBAL - Northern Trust Global Investments hopes the new UCITS III and distributor status of its global cash funds will make them more attractive to more institutional investors.

GLOBAL - Pictet has launched two new funds covering local currency emerging debt to tap into a market estimated to be worth US$3trn, almost five times that of the shrinking external debt market.

GLOBAL - Moves by the major ratings agencies to develop credit and risk ratings on hedge funds have been welcomed by the hedge fund industry.

GLOBAL - Northern Trust said it had appointed Stephen Andress to the newly-created role of global head of derivatives operations on the back of increasing derivatives demand from investor and fund manager clients.

GLOBAL - Fortis Investments increased its assets under management by 6% to e111bn in the first half of 2006, with e7.1bn in net asset inflows attributed to product performance and innovation.

GLOBAL - Russell Fradin will take over as chairman and CEO of Hewitt Associates, with veteran Dale Gifford retiring after 16 years in the role.

GLOBAL - Three quarters of pension funds remain sceptical that consultants who offer multi-manager services can manage their conflict of interest.

GLOBAL - The Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) has threatened to enlist European Commission support if the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not remove the requirement for non-US hedge fund managers to also be registered...

GLOBAL - European pension funds have backed a call in the US to scrap quarterly earnings guidance, claiming it fosters short termism.