Global

GLOBAL - Computer giant IBM has bought Pricewaterhouse-Coopers' consulting business for US$3.5bn (£2.2bn) in cash and stock.

GLOBAL - Private equity and venture investments worldwide tumbled by nearly 50% to US$100bn (£64bn) last year, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and venture capital group 3i.

GLOBAL - Baring Houston & Saunders (BH&S), part of ING Real Estate, has launched its new UK Residential Property Fund.

GLOBAL - Deutsche Bank has entered into exclusive discussions with Boston-headquartered State Street Corporation over the possible sale of parts of its Global Securities Services business.

GLOBAL - A "dire" outlook for Japan is shifting investor allegiance back to the US, according to Pictet Asset Management.

GLOBAL (ex-US) - AMVESCAP-owned Invesco has launched its first hedge fund outside of the US owing to demand, said the firm.

GLOBAL - There is a fundamental flaw in the US pension accounting system identified by Bob Bunicich, an actuary and principal of William M. Mercer in the Netherlands, which can inflate company figures.

GLOBAL - Franklin Templeton Investments believes schemes should invest in emerging markets such as China and India while they are still cheap.

GLOBAL - State Street Global Advisors, the investment management arm of State Street Corporation, has appointed Peter Atkinson to oversee regional credit analysis for the cash management team.

GLOBAL - The Japanese economy will be one of the best performers in the coming months, Barclays Global Investors' (BGI) Market Outlook claims.