Global

GLOBAL - Pension funds in North America and Europe have different definitions of volatility and generally different approaches to dealing with those swings, a new report by Pyramis Global Advisors reveals.

The September issue of Global Pensions is out now. This month's issue includes:

GLOBAL - MSCI has launched a set of worldwide indices allowing investors to more effectively benchmark their environmental, social and governance performance.

There will be no news alert on 8 September as the GP staff will be attending the Global Pensions Transition Management Forum.

GLOBAL - The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development has encouraged the International Accounting Standards Board to review the definition of DB and DC plans as they relate to international accounting standards.

GLOBAL - Investec Asset Management said it's selling government bonds and betting U.S. interest rates will rise as concern economic growth is faltering is "overdone".

GLOBAL - Investors in struggling money market funds are less likely to receive financial support from fund sponsors post-crisis, research from Moody's warns.

GLOBAL - Pension funds will become bigger investors in leveraged loans because the asset class provides more stable returns than equity and high-yield bonds, according to Harbourmaster Capital Management.

GLOBAL - Have you missed the biggest stories in pensions this week? Find out below, as we list the top 10 most popular stories on www.globalpensions.com over the past seven days.

IRELAND - Falling French and German bond yields coupled with declining equity markets in August have left Irish pension funds with the renewed prospect of funding difficulties, Hewitt Associates says.