Indices

UK - Rail workers are set to strike unless Network Rail guarantees that the jobs, pay, and pension entitlements of 4000 workers will be protected.

UK - Global real estate posted returns of 6.2% in January 2004, as demonstrated by the European Public Real Estate Association/National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (EPRA/ NAREIT) Global Real Estate Index.

EUROPE - AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) has obtained an exclusive licence to launch exchange traded funds on European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) indices.

EUROPE - Axa Investment Managers is launching an Exchange Traded Fund based on the European Public Real Estate Association's indices.

SWITZERLAND - Exclusive: Geneva-based Fonds de Compensation de l'Assurance-Veillesse et Survivants (AVS), the state social security fund, has become the latest scheme to tap into the inflation-linked bond market.

UK/GERMANY- iShares, the exchange traded funds range managed by Barclays Global Investors, has unveiled the first ETF benchmarked to the S&P500 Index, available in Germany.

UK/GERMANY- iShares, the exchange traded funds range managed by Barclays Global Investors, has unveiled the first ETF benchmarked to the S&P500 Index, available in Germany.

EUROPE - UBS Global Asset Management has launched a new Euro corporates bond fund as investors continue to seek shelter from volatile equities.

EUROPE - Barclays Global Investors is to introduce Europe's first ever corporate bond exchange traded fund next week.

UK - Manchester tram operator Serco Metrolink has appointed Jardine Lloyd Thompson to provide actuarial, consulting, administration and strategic investment advice to its final salary pension scheme.