News

US - Attracting and retaining key talent in the current operating environment is as big a concern for chief investment officers of public pension funds as generating sufficient returns in the downturn, research shows.

Pension reform plan worries unions; Sterling falls have cost expat pensioners billions

Including: US - Russell Reed opens clean-tech investment manager; US - New Hampshire names interim director; UK - Xafinity wins Thales contract

EUROPE - The European Union proposed to regulate Standard & Poor's, Moody's Investors Service and other credit-rating companies, blaming them for ignoring conflicts of interest and risks that helped fuel the financial crisis.

UK - BT's plan to cut 10,000 jobs by March will not affect the agreed changes to its defined benefit pension scheme, the Communication Workers Union says.

US - Marsh & McLennan chief Brian Duperreault has urged treasury secretary Henry Paulson to take action to bridge the short-term pension funding crisis through a set of proposals to help companies with defined benefit schemes.

US - The market value of the US$189bn California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) housing portfolio has been reduced by 35% to $6.1bn.

GLOBAL - European and US real estate opportunities are likely to emerge from the current economic crisis, allowing investors and pension funds to acquire assets which produce highly competitive returns, Invesco says.

NETHERLANDS - A €250m asset pool established to encourage start up asset managers to set up in the Netherlands has the support of pension fund investor APG.

HYMANS ROBERTSON has launched the first longevity comparison club for UK pension trustees was launched last night.