GLOBAL - Investor confidence has dropped 3.3 points to 100.9 in January from 104.2, State Street research shows.

SWITZERLAND - Former Swiss Re chairman Peter Forstmoser has joined the board of Swiss Foundation for International Real Estate Investments (AFIAA).

GERMANY/UK - Germany has replaced the UK as the preferred location for investment in non-listed real estate funds, new research shows.

NETHERLANDS - APG has invested P2.25bn ($50.4m) in real estate developer Century Properties in the Philippines.

Russell Investments; Mercer; Aviva Investors; Hermes; BlackRock; Aegon UK; Newport Group; Xafinity Consulting; ETF Securities.

IRELAND - An early election in Ireland will not derail the launch of sovereign annuity bonds, the Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF) believes.

AUSTRALIA - The median superannuation growth fund returned just 4.7% in 2010 following a downbeat first half, research by Chant West shows.

GLOBAL - Have you missed the biggest stories in pensions this week? Find out below, as we list the top 10 most popular stories on www.globalpensions.com over the past seven days.

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND - Mercer has appointed Guy Thorburn as business leader for retirement, risk and finance consulting for Australia/New Zealand.

GLOBAL - Russell Investments has appointed Darren Spencer as director of global alternative investments in its institutional consulting group.