News

UK- The Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund has appointed Barnett Waddingham as actuary to the portfolio.

INCLUDING: UK- Public pension funds warned about private equity; Europe - Credit tremors hit institutional funds; Canada - Levesque moving to Public Sector Pension Investment Board

TRUSTEES of the British Energy pension scheme have refused to work with a newly-appointed independent trustee and have reported the company to The Pensions Regulator.

GLOBAL - Experts have warned pension funds to carefully scrutinise their portfolios as the current market conditions caused by the crisis in the US sub-prime mortgage market could have effects on different asset classes.

RAIL workers have called off a strike over proposed changes to ill-health pension rights.

UK - Unite, Britain's largest union, has highlighted pension concerns among its reasons for urging the board of J Sainsbury plc to block a possible takeover by Delta Two Limited, the Qatari-backed investment group.

Data from Mercer Investment Consulting's performance analytics' will be used to draw up initial shortlists for Professional Pensions' inaugural Specialist and Alternative Investment Manager Awards.

US - The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) could increase its allocation to real estate, following recommendations from PCA Advisors.

UK - The European market for exchange traded funds (ETFs) grew by around 60-70% last year, according to Jennifer Grancio, managing director and head of distribution for iShares Europe.

Mutuals end talks; Sainsbury's delay; Merrill Lynch: avoid risk but look for opportunities; MPC members unanimous on holding rates; Osmond eyes next move on Resolution