The flight by FTSE 100 pension funds out of equities and into bonds appears to be accelerating, according to research by defined benefit scheme consultants, Pension Capital Strategies (PCS).

Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) around the world will be gathering in the Azerbaijani capital Baku to draw up a set of ‘principles of best practice’. By Spencer Anderson.

Analysts have missed the point when it comes to eastern Europe, writes Marcus Svedberg.

The European Commission’s draft directive on alternative investment fund managers does not go far enough in how it proposes to regulate the hedge fund industry. By Henry Smith.

While the US markets start to revive, job losses continue to hamper their recovery, writes William H. Cunningham.

Exchange traded funds have been insulated from the market downturn, but more so in Europe than the US, where net sales fell rapidly at the beginning of 2009. By Spencer Anderson.

Prudent policies and debt sustainability means many Latin American countries have warded off the worst of the financial downturn, writes Floris Kleemans.

The demand for managed accounts by funds-of-hedge funds is not a knee-jerk reaction to the financial crisis according to Thomas Manuel, head of event-driven desk, hedge fund research and selection team at Lyxor Asset Management. By Henry Smith.

With buyout deals on the increase, emerging Asia is gaining prominence in the private equity arena, writes Khim Tan.

The European Federation for Retirement Provision (EFRP) is hoping to add the Czech Republic, the Baltic states and Bulgaria as members to the organisation. By Spencer Anderson.

The €900m defined benefit KBC Pension Fund is considering an investment in insurance-linked securities (ILS). By Spencer Anderson.

Funds-of-hedge funds have dug their own grave, but the funeral has yet to be held, writes Henry Smith.

Against the backdrop of the financial crisis, the upside potential of equity and credit markets can be fully realised, writes Lionel Martellini.

Could it be that in 20 years’ time traders will complete buy and sell transactions by merely thinking about them? Academics certainly think so.

There is no obvious reason why sovereign funds should not reveal their results, yet they persist in hiding from the rest of the world.

Asset managers don’t always think of the bigger picture when the end goal is simply to make money, but Gilles Glicenstein broke the mould, writes Yuri Bender.

Alternative investment managers are among many who have been hit with tax hikes, but added regulation also poses a problem, writes David Butler.

President of Brazil’s private equity body Luis Eugenio Figueiredo says the sector has gone from strength to strength, largely due to its domestic focus and not being based on leverage. By Spencer Anderson.

The Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee has had as turbulent a two years as many other similar schemes. Its CEO Deane Morrice outlines its strategy and objectives. By Nat Mankelow.

Despite the volatile climate, Bahrain’s state-owned pension fund plans to spend €1.4bn in developed markets. But home is where the heart is. By Henry Smith.

Hedge funds have been hard hit by volatile markets, with clients falling over themselves to redeem capital for fear of even greater losses. But managers have done little to help the cause, and must put their words into action if the sector is to turn its fortunes around. By Henry Smith.

Volatility trading on equities and commodities has seen an increase in recent months, but there are several instruments and vehicles included under this umbrella that are contributing to a product boom. By Ceri Jones.

Quant funds have experienced mixed success over the last year, and current volatile markets are raising questions about the structure of the models used, but while holding fast, managers in this sector say they are ready to evolve. By Spencer Anderson.

Sovereign wealth funds have been hit hard by the global downturn, but by refining their investment approach, outsourcing management roles and employing an active style, they could fare better in the future. By Richard Hemming.

With client strength growing, fees reducing rapidly and the size of the sector gradually shrinking, private equity is struggling to make ends meet. But at least senior managers now have time to take a well-earned holiday... By Richard Hemming.

The debate on the future regulatory oversight and infrastructure of the CDS market has raged for months, but only in recent weeks has the industry seen some tangible developments. However, each development poses new questions.

Opening up the ETF market to offer global exposure allows any size of investor to access greater opportunities in emerging markets. By Nat Mankelow.

Fund managers have been little more than gamblers since the downturn in 2008, but they are now taking a universally conservative stance to see if they can beat the odds and survive beyond the market’s next hand. By Spencer Anderson.

Pierre Oger, head of business engineering at Caceis Bank Luxembourg, looks at how attitudes towards third-party administrators have changed.

Securities lending revenues are as depressed as other areas of borrowing, but there is increased demand from clients seeking alpha combined with low risk. By Ceri Jones.

Transaction cost analysis is essential to measure the calibre of an end trade, but providers need to step up their game and improve the quality of the data supplied. By Nat Mankelow.

Multi-asset platforms and pan-European venues are competing heavily with traditional trading facilities as diversification drives through change. By Nat Mankelow.

The consolidation and co-location of IT systems has become a mainstream choice for trading firms who need to meet the speed and capacity demands made by their clients. By Ceri Jones.