Global

Russell Investments has signed the United Nations' Principles for Responsible Investment amid increasing demand from its clients for products compliant with such principles.

GLOBAL - The European Court of Human Rights is set to rule on a UK law which freezes the state pension of anyone who leaves Britain to live in certain countries, according to ECHR files.

GLOBAL - The average assets to gross domestic product ratio for OECD pension funds dropped from 75.5% of GDP in 2007 to 63.4% in 2008, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

GLOBAL - Pension funds could achieve greater investment diversification by incorporating insurance-linked instruments in their portfolios, Watson Wyatt said.

GLOBAL - Market turbulence has tested the viability of the traditional investment consulting model, a poll by SEI revealed.

INCLUDING: EUROPE - Mercer voices concerns on EU Directive on alternatives; FRANCE - FRR up 10.5% in the second quarter; SWITZERLAND - Funds cover ratio slightly better

GLOBAL - HSBC has unveiled its first European ETF, the HSBC FTSE100, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

GLOBAL - The International Accounting Standards Board has issued the official draft of its proposal to eliminate the use of government bonds to determine discount rates.

GLOBAL - The United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) said today three signatories, including the New York State Teachers' Retirement System (NYSTRS), have decided not to participate in the programme.

GLOBAL - Sovereign wealth funds (SWF) may decide to purchase special drawing rights (SDR)-denominated bonds, creating a wider market for the instrument some have touted as the alternative to the US dollar as the reserve currency.