Regions

GLOBAL - Total exchange traded fund (ETF) assets under management (AuM) fell in 2008, although trading volumes and products rose, according to Barclays Global Investors (BGI).

EUROPE- Deutsche Bank plans to expand into the nascent Asian ETF business after strong European growth in its two-year old offerings.

EUROPE - European credit will outperform cash and government bonds in 2009, fund managers claim.

GLOBAL - Barclays Global Investors (BGI) has reported record inflows into its iShares exchange traded fund (ETF) platform during 2008 but warned investors were concerned with greater transparency over 2009.

EUROPE - The European Commission has decided to launch formal proceedings against US ratings agency Standard & Poor's for issues relating to its monopoly on the issuance of international securities identification numbers (ISIN).

GLOBAL - The influence of pension and sovereign funds in global markets is set to increase in 2009 to the detriment of hedge funds and investment banks, a research by Watson Wyatt has revealed.

GLOBAL - Signatories to the UN's Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), including pension funds APG, CalPERS, the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and the CPPIB have written to 130 companies to push for better reporting of corporate responsibility....

GLOBAL - Pension funds believe investment management fees are too high and need to come down, a study by bfinance has found.

GLOBAL- FTSE has launched a dozen indices providing exposure to emerging markets real estate securities.

GLOBAL - The US$10bn government pension fund of Thailand (GPF) has selected Capital Dynamics to advise it on its global private equity investment program.