News

JAPAN - The Government Pension Investment Fund of Japan (GPIF) posted returns of 1.06% in the quarter ended September 30, down from 3.89% the previous quarter.

Personal accounts will definitely see its name changed before its introduction in 2012, Helen Dean says.

The majority of pension funds want to see the government issue more long-dated and index-linked gilts, the National Association of Pensions Funds' Annual Survey shows.

Interserve has agreed to transfer a portfolio of 13 private finance initiative investments, valued at £61.5m, into its pension scheme.

UK - Vodafone and airline BMI have become the latest big name firms to announce plans to close their defined benefit schemes to future accrual.

GLOBAL - Pension industry experts predict the fiduciary management model will spread deeper into Europe and other parts of the world, and expand its reach beyond DB plans to the likes of insurance companies and DC plans.

Vodafone and airline BMI have become the latest big name firms to announce plans to close their defined benefit schemes to future accrual.

CANADA - Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has completed a US$5bn debt offering in what it called the largest non-government guaranteed offering by a Canadian issuer in US dollars.

The Pensions Archive Trust has formally launched a national schools competition on pensions for pupils aged between 16 and 18 years-old.

UK - Institutional investors will have to sign up to a stewardship code as part of Sir David Walker's reforms on bank pay and governance as shareholders.