Regions

US - Asset managers can expect slimmer bonuses this year as firms continue to struggle from the downturn, according to a new report by recruitment firm Russell Reynolds Associates.

AUSTRALIA - Three Australian pension funds have funnelled a combined A$66m (US$60.6m) into the global bond fund managed by Pengana Capital.

EUROPE - The proposed European Union directive to regulate alternative asset managers could cost investors some €5bn (US$7.4bn), a report commissioned by UK regulator Financial Services Authorities found.

EUROPE - The cost of an ageing population in Europe is expected to "dwarf" the impact of the current financial crisis many times over, a European Commission report revealed.

US/UK - A US buyout market to rival the UK's is not likely in the short term because of competing mindsets among the countries' policy makers about the future of defined benefit systems - US officials still have faith.

GLOBAL - Dutch retirement income systems came first and Australian systems a close second in a new global pension index comparing private and public pension schemes based on adequacy, sustainability and integrity.

Simon Hedger discusses why global property securities currently offer substantial opportunities for pension funds

EUROPE - Improving investor confidence sparked €143bn (US$213.1bn) of net inflows to European funds in the first eight months of 2009, with €128bn going into UCITS, research showed.

Romanian pension funds; US private equity; Watson Wyatt UK appointment

BELGIUM - The European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) - the representative body for the European investment management industry - has announced the creation of the "President's Advisory Council".