Global

GLOBAL - Low levels of commissions paid by Australian investors are under threat through the pressures on brokers of operating in such a small market.

GLOBAL - The big financial news for 2003 included good economic and corporate growth in the US and Asia; the outperformance of small/medium cap stocks over large caps; and the strong returns in emerging market debt.

NETHERLANDS - Stichting Pensioenfonds TNO, the e1.3bn Dutch pension fund, is planning to tender for private equity and high-yield managers later this year.

GLOBAL - The CSFB/Tremont Hedge Fund Index returned 1.08% for November 2003 and 13.23% year-to-date on the back of strong equity markets.

GLOBAL - Global equities are expected to continue their positive run in 2004 with industry experts expecting this sector to outperform bonds.

GLOBAL - Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM) has topped the 2003 European ranking of recorded pension fund mandate wins.

GLOBAL - Acorn Life has topped Hewitt & Becketts Irish group managed pension fund survey for the Q3 2003 largely due to its overweight equity position.

Ireland - Ireland has all the ingredients of an "asset bubble" and Irish equities offer the potential of spectacular returns, according to asset managers.

GLOBAL - South Africa's Public Investment Commissioner (PIC) has taken a swipe at petrochemicals giant Sasol for listing black economic empowerment as an investment risk in its compulsory filings to the NYSE.

GLOBAL - The $154bn California Public Employees' Retirement System has asked federal regulators to reject the latest proposed overhaul of the New York Stock Exchange.