Global

The $6.2bn Louisiana State Employees' Retirement Systems (LASERS) is looking for managers to run a $180m emerging market equity mandate.

Small companies in the UK offer better than average structural growth rates, according to Susannah Lloyd, fund manager of Baring Asset Management's (BAM) UK equity small-cap fund and Baring UK Smaller Companies Trust.

CalPERS, the $158bn California State Employees Retirement System is set to invest up to $400m in real estate, subject to approval from the fund's investment committee next week.

Old Mutual Asset Managers (UK) Limited has appointed Catherine Gladwin to its global bond team and promoted Justin Lines to assistant fund manager in the same team.

Western Asset Management has won a $500m US core fixed income mandate from the $8.9bn Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Stockholm-based Handelsbanken Investment Management (HIM) has poached Peter Werme from Swedish SEB Investment Management to join the firm's hedge fund team.

Baring Asset Management (BAM) in Boston has appointed Catherine Roy as a fixed income portfolio manager.

Morley Fund Management in the UK has appointed Julian Murray to its socially responsible investment (SRI) team.

Peter Johansson has been appointed chief finance officer at Finnish financial services group, Sampo.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) has listed new futures and options contracts on the S&P/TOPIX 150 stock index, which will serve as a benchmark for asset managers who are tracking Japan and hedging risk.