All articles by Fennell Betson – Page 4
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News
Innovest launches nanotechnology index
GLOBAL – The potential dangers from product backlash and negative perception risks of nanotechnology development by corporations has been highlighted by the launch of a new Nanotechnology Index.
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News
UK pension funds return 7% in 1H05 says WM
UK – Pension fund returns in the UK surged to 5.1% in the second quarter, bringing first-half returns for 2005 to 7%, according to WM Performance Services.
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News
Russell predicts new alternative investing highs
GLOBAL – Hedge fund use by European institutions has increased dramatically in 2005. Their use by continental respondents to the Russell Investment Group’s seventh annual report on alternative investment the doubled to 48% from 24% in 2003.
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News
Funds exemption move could herald cost reductions
EUROPE - The European investment funds industry could see an overall reduction in costs for services related to the management of certain funds if an Opinion from the Advocate General is followed by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
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Features
Testing to destruction
The Dutch keep piling the agony on their pension funds. If there are any nuts to be cracked, the regulators and the different commissions come in swinging their sledgehammers. It is almost as if the system has to be tested to destruction before it can be accepted that it works. ...
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Features
Consultants welcome wealth indices
The move to fundamental or wealth indices has been welcomed as an important development, as indices provider FTSE announces the launch of a new ‘fundamental index’ series. “This new thinking is very healthy and we support the idea,” said Roger Urwin, global head of investment consulting at international consultancy Watson ...
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Features
Changes herald drift to DC
Norway’s expects that its long-awaited pension reform allowing defined contribution will come into effect at the beginning of next year. Among the main provisions is that all employers have to provide some type of pension plan for employees. This is likely to result in the development of defined contribution much ...
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Features
MAN CEO says investable hedge indices 'wrong'
Investable hedge funds indices were given the thumbs down by a senior industry figure at the recent Funds Forum conference in Monaco. Stanley Fink, chief executive of MAN Group, which has $42bn (€34bn) of hedge fund assets under management, criticised the development of investable hedge funds indices and regarded them ...
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Features
A bruising time for pensions
The Irish pension scene is certainly feeling somewhat bruised if not battered, as many of its proud aspirations are coming apart. Schemes have come under increasing challenges from funding and international accounting standards. “These have been compounded by the increase in liabilities caused not by any change in the numbers ...
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News
ING IM plans European multi-manager launch
EUROPE - ING Investment Management is pushing forward with the launch of its multi-manager programme in Europe, scheduled for later this year.
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News
IAPF reports Irish portfolio moves
IRELAND - Passive management increased dramatically within Irish pension funds last year to 25.8% of portfolios, compared with 17.9% at the end of 2003, according to the Irish Association of Pension Fund (IAPF).
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News
Irish schemes’ funding under 70% in Q2 - Mercer
IRELAND – The typical Irish pension fund saw a small deterioration of its funding level during the second quarter of 2005, dipping to just under a 70% asset to liability ratio, according to figures from Mercer Investment Consulting in Dublin.
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News
Consultants welcome wealth indices
UK - The move to fundamental or wealth indices has been welcomed as an important development, as indices provider FTSE announces launch of new ‘fundamental index’ series.
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News
Towers Perrin sets up ‘conflict-free’ service
UK – Pensions consultancy Towers Perrin has set up a new service to focus solely on advice to corporates with pension schemes, without the potential conflicts arising from also advising trustees. More assertive pension trustees have led to some high-profile corporate deals being abandoned, it pointed out.
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News
FTI forms consultant-targeted unit
GLOBAL – Asset manager Franklin Templeton Institutional (FTI) has formed a new global consultant relations group to co-ordinate its global sales, marketing and client servicing activities as well its investment teams.
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News
Watsons unveils new investment approach
EUROPE – International consultancy Watson Wyatt has given details of its Advanced Investment Solutions (AIS) approach to investment consulting for clients, designed to “join up investment strategy and manager selection”.
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News
Investment funds enjoy boom - Feri
EUROPE – Investment funds in Europe are having a boom year, with the total inflows by end of May of €151bn already ahead of the total invested in all of 2004 of €133bn, according to latest figures from Feri Fund Market Information in London.
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News
Recovery in pooled pension funds
UK – Balanced pooled pensions funds have now recovered to around 98% of their asset value at the end of 1999, thanks to continued strong performance in the second quarter.
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News
UK armed forces combine pensions admin
UK – The Armed Forces Pensions Administration Agency is introducing a new pensions and compensation administration system to combine the needs of the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force schemes.
