Asia

JAPAN - Japan's public pension fund sold more government bonds than it bought for the first time in nine years, underscoring concern that an aging population will make domestic investors less able to finance state borrowings.

It's no surprise some investors may harbour reservations about Japanese equities given their history for dire returns, but consultants and asset managers at a recent GP roundtable, sponsored by Nomura Asset Management, said the market is primed for a...

NORWAY/ASIA - Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's second largest, will increase investments in Asia, as the region leads the global economic recovery, said Norges Bank Governor Svein Gjedrem.

KOREA - South Korea's National Pension Service plans to spend a net KRW6.9trn (US$5.6bn) boosting its domestic equity allocation next year, predicting gains as growth in the country outpaces the global economy.

GLOBAL - The International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) called on G20 leaders gathered in Toronto at the weekend to strengthen shareholder rights in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

ASIA - LaSalle Investment Management has appointed Mark Gabbay as international director and chief investment officer for Asia Pacific.

Japan - Japan's $1.35trn public pension fund could split its asset management in two, creating separate pools of safe assets and those offering higher returns, a government panel has said.

South Korea - BNY Mellon Asset Management is to offer discretionary management services in Korea after receiving approval from the country's Financial Services Commission.

Malaysia - The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) recorded an investment income of RM5.55bn (US$1.7bn) for the first quarter of 2010 (Q1 2010) on the back of the recovering global economic and financial crisis.

SOUTH KOREA - South Korea's National Pension Service, the nation's biggest investor, said an asset manager which is bidding for a US oil pipeline approached it about possible investment.