Regions

GLOBAL - Asset manager F&C nearly doubled its votes against company management in shareholder resolutions last year, reflecting a tougher stance on corporate governance, the firm said.

US - Two government reports released yesterday found employers offering 401(k) plans have little understanding of securities lending activities within their defined contribution plans.

GLOBAL - The number of public pension systems investing in hedge funds has grown by 50% over the past four years, research by Preqin shows.

EUROPE/JAPAN - Major European indices suffered triple-digit losses on Tuesday after a third explosion at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant raised fresh radiation fears and sparked a 1,000-point plunge on the Nikkei 225.

MENA - Mark Mobius is "cautiously" looking to buy oversold quality companies in the Middle East and North Africa, despite increasing volatility in the region.

US - The Fresno County Employees Retirement Association has approved a new asset mix which increases allocations to international large-cap equities, emerging markets equities, TIPS and commodities.

GLOBAL - Have you missed the biggest stories in pensions this week? Find out below, as we list the top 10 most popular stories on www.globalpensions.com over the past seven days.

GLOBAL - Russell Investments' transition management team saw an uptick of 66% in 2010 in transitions involving overlay strategies as investors looked to manage their exposures to new asset allocations.

EUROPE - Sovereign bondholders will be relegated down creditor lists if European policymakers push through plans for a bailout mechanism, Standard & Poor's warned.

US - Bill Gross, who runs the world's biggest bond fund at Pacific Investment Management Co., eliminated government-related debt from his flagship fund.