News

Shareholders in the fresh crop of bulk annuity buyout firms are poised to stump up more capital to meet a surge in demand, the new insurers say.

AUSTRALIA - Australian opposition Labor Party frontbenchers have defended last month's proposal to use money from the Future Fund to finance an $A4.7bn broadband network scheme.

Angry investors ready to halt Lord Browne's £72m leaving package; Sainsbury's bid face tough going despite £3bn investment offer; Scottish Widows man dies at 50

State Street is to provide buyout specialists Paternoster with collateral management services.

BlackRock is exploring the potential of defined contribution schemes with built-in self-investment options, PP can reveal.

CANADA - The C$99bn (US$85bn) Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP) has entered preliminary talks about forming a consortium for a $45bn takeover bid of Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE).

US - US state pension funds have rejected government proposals to prohibit investment in companies such as BNP Paribas which do business in Iran.

SWITZERLAND - The assets under management (AuM) of the Sustainable Asset Management Group (SAM) increased by more than 60% in 2006 to more than CHF4bn.

Philip Sellers has left his role of Advisor at Nomura Asset Management UK after five years with the Japan-based company.

NETHERLANDS - Robeco has confirmed in its end of year results it hopes to add manager selection this year and enter the fiduciary space.