Regions

GLOBAL - Online fixed income trader TradeWeb achieved trading volume totals of US$10.8trn (£6.7bn) for 2002 - its fifth year of operation.

UK/EUROPE - British MEPs are exploiting a loophole in the European legislative system which lets them claim an additional government-funded pension in retirement.

GLOBAL - Gold will provide a safe haven for pension funds over the coming year, Axa Investment Managers says.

UK/EU - The UK government could be in breach of European law unless it removes a proposed blanket exemption which allows UK pensions schemes to favour married people.

UK/EUROPE - Fund managers are split on whether European equities will recover over the coming year.

GLOBAL - European hedge fund manager Aspect Capital has unveiled its first Japanese equity fund.

GLOBAL - While mainstream markets continue to baffle investors, institutions are increasingly turning to emerging market debt in the hope of healthier returns.

ASIA - Investors looking for cheap, liquid growth assets should turn to Asia.

GLOBAL - Equities were the best performing asset class during November, figures from global indices provider MSCI show.

GLOBAL - Assets under management at State Street Global Advisors fell US$763bn (£474.6bn) during the fourth quarter - down 1.6% on the previous year.