Regions

EUROPE - The commercial property market across Europe is on the cusp of a boom, with rents set to continue rising thus boosting the asset class's total return, said ING Real Estate Investment Management.

GLOBAL - Pension funds still need to do more to drive SRI as it would spur other industry areas forward, said Rory Sullivan, head of investor responsibility at Insight Investment.

GLOBAL - Many asset managers are failing to listen to what pension fund clients want in terms of investment products, according to global research carried out by London-based think tank CREATE.

GLOBAL - Fidelity International is to build a global multi-manager business which will initially target retail clients and subsequently include the creation of a bespoke solution for pension funds.

EUROPE - The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Committee has concluded Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORPs) will not be included in the scope of Solvency II.

GLOBAL - Social security systems in large advanced economies need to be put on sounder footings in the face of ageing populations, said the International Monetary Fund.

EUROPE - Without further pension reforms, contribution rates in some countries may increase to as much as 40% of salaries, European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet has warned.

GLOBAL - Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) increased its assets under management by 6% during the third quarter of 2006 but saw net revenues decrease by 10%.

ASIA - Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev has promised the minimum state pension will increase in conjunction with the country's economic budget.

GLOBAL - A report by New Frontiers Advisors and the World Gold Council has concluded exposure to gold should be similar to that of an emerging market or small cap allocation in an efficient portfolio.