Regions

EUROPE - Marlborough Stirling, a provider of software, services and consultancy to the financial services industry, has expanded its operations in continental Europe by opening offices in Milan and Madrid.

EUROPE - A new European law forcing multinationals to disclose their social and environmental impact in annual reports could be in place by the end of the year, according to Labour Euro-MP Richard Howitt.

UK/ LUXEMBOURG - Franklin Templeton's Templeton Growth (Euro) fund is now worth over EUR1bn (£639m), less than two years after its launch.

GLOBAL - The Benchmark Group part of RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)Global Services has launched Benchmark Commission Recapture, a product designed to help institutional investors reduce trading costs.

EUROPE - Mercer Human Resource Consulting has criticised recent steps towards cross-border pensions as largely ineffective.

GLOBAL - Investors pumped a net $5.6bn in to hedge funds during the first quarter of 2002 ending the record pace of growth achieved in 2001, according to Tremont Advisers TASS Research.

UK/EUROPE - A compromise deal on the EU pensions directive has been welcomed by the NAPF.

EUROPE - European property have been unduly depressed since last year's economic slowdown, LaSalle Investment Management claims.

GLOBAL - US-based Hewitt Associates and Bacon & Woodrow were expected to complete their tie-up this week creating a global consultant.

GLOBAL - Morley Fund Management has made a raft a new appointments.