Regions

EUROPE - iShares, the range of exchange traded funds (ETFs) managed by Barclays Global Investors, is to close its nine sector funds after they failed to attract investor interest.

EUROPE - JP Morgan Investor Services has made two senior appointments in its sales team.

GLOBAL - International Pensions News now contains 10,000 stories in its database since launching in April 2001.

EUROPE - Defined benefit pension plans of multinationals in the eurozone posted a 4% increase in funded status during the second quarter of 2003.

NORTHERN EUROPE - Janus, the Denver-headquartered investment manager, has appointed Henrik Rox Hansen to lead its drive into the Northern European institutional market.

GLOBAL - MSCI Hedge Fund Composite Index increased by 0.1% in July - compared to 0.5% in June and 8.1% for the year to July 2003.

EUROPE - Retirement in post-communist countries is to become the focal point for a new seminar penned for October.

UKRAINE - Recently adopted pension reforms in the Ukraine will "significantly enhance" the retirement benefits of its citizens.

UK/NETHERLANDS/SCANDINAVIA - Olle Malmgren has joined software solutions provider Trema as regional sales manager, responsible for Scandinavia, the UK and the Netherlands.

UK/EUROPE - Russell/Mellon CAPS has appointed David Harris to the role of head of client relations.