Regions

GLOBAL - Soaring global food prices and the search for diversification against equity and fixed interest market downturns have prompted investors to turn their attention to commodities as a separate asset class, a report by institutional fund manager...

Including: UK - Sainsbury's looks to de-risk scheme; CHINA - HSBC and BoCom agree pension joint venture; US - Academy of Actuaries appoints senior pension fellow; Europe - Western Europe set to follow Eastern European countries

EUROPE - The International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN), which represents the interests of pension funds and investors with US$15trn of assets, has called on the European Commission (EC) to rethink guidelines for limiting auditors' liabilities....

INCLUDING: UK - Hermes risk appointments; SWITZERLAND - Credit Suisse acquires majority stake in AMF; US - New Jersey given go ahead to invest in hedge funds; UK - NAPF launches Pensionsforce website

Including: US - Ex-CalPERS president joins Governance for Owners; UK - Tesco agrees to USS store sale; US - Northern Trust launches dashboard for investments; UK - Buck Consultants' new principal

GLOBAL - A report by Norges Bank has cited low interest rates and a declining dollar as the main drivers of surging commodity prices, not the effect of institutional investors such as pension funds.

Including: US - Bush appoints three to PBGC advisory committee; UK - Cambridgeshire taps CAAM for European equities; AUSTRALIA - Watson Wyatt hires key adviser; US - LA police and fire $350m large cap mandate

GLOBAL - US regulatory changes impacting on corporate bonds could 'deal a blow' to pension schemes, Aon Consulting warns.

GLOBAL - Global investors' confidence dwindled this month by 6.8 points to 77.2, down from 84.0 in July, according to the State Street Global Markets' Confidence Index.

INCLUDING: NETHERLANDS - PGGM to offer online savings to members; CZECH REPUBLIC - Czech pension funds' profits drop by Kc1.17bn; TAIWAN - Taiwanese lawmakers debate pension benefits for farmers; MEXICO - Mexico's state power utility changes pension rules;...