Finland

NORDICS - Nordic investors are continuing to show optimism in hedge funds with nearly a third planning to increase their exposure this year to strategies like global macro, event driven and long/short funds, a new report shows.

EUROPE - European leaders are winning over investors as they try to keep the single-currency bloc intact, raising the appeal of the region's so-called rescue bonds, said Timo Loeyttyniemi, the head of Finland's state pension fund.

FINLAND - Valtion Elåkerahasto (VER), Finland's state pension fund, gained 5.3% during the first quarter on the back of its equity investment performance.

FINLAND - Neste Oil will transfer is supplementary pension plans to insurer OP Life Assurance, the firm said today.

FINLAND - European pension funds scooped up nearly a fifth of Finland's recent €3bn (US$4.4bn) bond issuance, the State Treasury said.

Finland has been feeling the impact of the global economic crisis, but unlike other countries it has strong diversification tactics

FINLAND - The Finnish government has withdrawn its plans to increase the pension age in increments from 63 to 65 from 2011, after reaching an agreement with the three main labour unions and employers.

FINLAND- Finish pension insurer Etera posted a 17% loss on investments in 2008 down from positive 4.5% the previous year.

FINLAND - The Finnish government's decision to increase the minimum age for pensions from 63 to 65 without consulting labour organisations first has sparked anger among unions and workers.

FINLAND - The €5.3bn (US$6.8bn) Finnish insurer Etera has reduced the share of its equity investments amid market turmoil, MandateWire reports.