Global

GLOBAL - An IMF report, released yesterday, on the credit derivatives market has been hailed by pensions experts as an important step forward in reassuring pension funds as to the use of the rapidly growing asset class.

GLOBAL - Record trading volumes for 2005 on the FXall online foreign exchange platform were boosted by strong growth in trading from asset managers and pension funds, up 80% on March 2005, according to the firm.

GLOBAL - Pension funds are demanding greater transparency from the private equity industry with regard to reporting and valuation of underlying assets as institutional investment in the asset class soars.

GLOBAL - Pension funds should allocate to commodities right now and not be put off by high prices, because prices will only get higher, a Schroders manager has advised.

EUROPE - The European Federation for Retirement Provision (EFRP) has expressed disappointment at some European Union member states who it believed have been "dragging their feet" in transposing the Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORPs)...

GLOBAL - Pension funds continue to see long term value in Eastern European markets, and were not among those investors who sold off in reaction to recent volatility, said Baring Asset Management marketing director Ian Pascal.

GLOBAL - The impact of changing demographics will push pension plans away from equities towards bonds in the future, a UBS report has claimed.

GLOBAL - Crédit Agricole has rebranded its alternative investment group with new name "Crédit Agricole Asset Management Alternative Investments".

GLOBAL - Allocations to global emerging markets can diversify pension fund portfolios and boost returns, Aberdeen Asset Management has claimed.

GLOBAL - A global organisation of trade unions has criticised the World Bank's work on pension reform for being too focused on privatisation.