Regions

GLOBAL - European equities are still being outstripped by Asian stocks in the value stakes despite the recent rally.

ASIA - ISIS Asset Management has appointed Mark Williams as lead manager on the ISIS Pacific Growth Fund, the company's retail Asia ex-Japan OEIC sub-fund.

GLOBAL - Employee benefits consultancy Gissings has been appointed as global pensions adviser to industrial diamond and materials supplier Element Six for its plans in Ireland, South Africa, the Isle of Man and the UK.

GLOBAL - Confidence in a global recovery has surged leading many institutional investors to increase their risk appetites and eye asset opportunities in emerging markets and Japan.

EUROPE - Barclays Global Investors has won two exchange traded funds (ETF) previously sponsored by Merrill Lynch in the first signs of consolidation in the saturated European market.

CENTRAL/EASTERN EUROPE - Pension reforms in post-communist states may be jeopardised by unsustainable economic growth, a shortage of fund managers and a lack of investment instruments, according to one leading expert.

CENTRAL/EASTERN EUROPE - Pension reforms in post-communist states may be jeopardised by unsustainable economic growth, a shortage of fund managers and a lack of investment instruments, according to one leading expert.

EUROPE - Institutional investors are planning to pump an extra US$7bn into European private equity over the next five years, especially mid-market funds, as the US loses favour.

GLOBAL - Fund managers' global assets have remained stable despite falling markets, research from Watson Wyatt reveals.

ASIA - Johnson Stokes & Master has appointed Phillip Smith as head of its funds practice.