Global

GLOBAL - The total value of pension assets managed globally fell by 18% to an estimated US$25trn in 2008, latest figures show.

GLOBAL - Lyxor Asset Management has reported it ended 2008 with over €5bn (US$6.6bn) of assets under management in its European equity exchange traded fund (ETF) platform.

GLOBAL - Investec Asset Management has enhanced its currency fund range, launching new US dollar and euro share classes to sit alongside the existing pound sterling share class.

GLOBAL - AIG Global Real Estate has put its fund management business for sale - a move that follows a US$85bn loan agreed with the US government in September 2008.

GLOBAL - Watson Wyatt has appointed eVestment Alliance (eA) to provide it with investment manager research on Europe and the Far East.

Including: US - New Jersey mulls deferred pension payments; NORWAY - Government to tap oil fund to beat recession; AUSTRALIA - Super funds hit by market turmoil

GLOBAL - Global institutional pension fund lost US$5trn in assets, shrinking by around 19% during 2008, a study of 11 major pension markets by Watson Wyatt has revealed.

Including: UK - Leatherhead food appoints Giddings; US - New York fund allocates $550m to emerging manager programme; UK - Hermes Private Equity hires investment manager

GLOBAL - Crédit Agricole and Société Générale have signed a preliminary agreement to combine their asset management operations.

GLOBAL - Pension sponsors should recognise an extra 10-15% of longevity-related liabilities, while facing rapidly declining asset values, according to a report by Hewitt Associates.