News

US - The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) said it is cooperating with the Fair Political Practices Commission following an investigation into gifts received by staff at the fund.

US - BlackRock has lured the trio who launched Merrill Lynch's private equity business to help kick-start direct private equity offerings within BlackRock.

SWEDEN Pension fund provider Första AP-fonden (AP1) has appointed J.P. Morgan Worldwide Securities Services as sole provider of global custody services.

GLOBAL - Russell Investments and Axioma have launched a suite of long-only factor-based indexes for US small and large cap equities. The ten indexes aim to provide institutional investors with vehicles to manage exposure to five risk factors within portfolios....

AUSTRALIA - The median superannuation growth fund returned a nearly flat 0.2% for April, dragged down by mixed results in investment markets and the continued strength of the Australian dollar, according to research from consultancy Chant West.

CANADA - A Canadian pension plan has invested $104m in the new version of Acadian Asset Management's managed volatility strategy that mixes developed and emerging equities, the firm said.

EUROPE/US - Saguenay Capital and Strathmore Capital have merged to create Saguenay Strathmore Capital.

Saguenay Capital and Strathmore Capital have merged to create Saguenay Strathmore Capital.

Pensions minister Steve Webb is to meet with industry figures today to try to "root bad practice out" of enhanced transfer value exercises.

The government must take "urgent" action to clarify public sector reforms and end the uncertainty engulfing its plans, the National Association of Pension Funds says.