Global

GLOBAL - Hedge funds experienced their first quarterly outflows for the first time in nearly three years during the final quarter of 2002, according to Tremont TASS.

GLOBAL - Standard Life Investments UK has outlined what could happen to oil prices in the event of a war in Iraq.

GLOBAL - A recovery in UK equities could be slowed by pension funds seizing the opportunity to cut their allocations, industry experts warn.

GLOBAL - An international consortium of pension funds has challenged investment managers to come up with a masterplan for a 20-year pension fund mandate.

EUROPE - Countries such as Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic are set to sprout attractive investment opportunities from likely EU accession in 2004.

GLOBAL - The asset management group of Swiss banking arm Zurich Financial Services posted substantial gains in operating profits in 2002 compared to to the previous year.

GLOBAL - Most pension funds across the world saw funding levels plunge for the third consecutive year in 2002.

GLOBAL - Investors are being misled if they believe the threat of war in Iraq is depressing markets, Pictet Asset Management claims.

UK/NEPAL - Gurkhas seeking the same pension rights as British soldiers have lost their case in the High Court.

GLOBAL - JPMorgan Investor Services has launched an enhanced global proxy voting service to help investors meet corporate governance responsibilities.