United Kingdom

UK/US - Plans to close General Electric aviation's defined benefit scheme could halt production at the world's largest aeroplane engine producer after angry workers threatened strike action.

UK - Cash-strapped employers intent on closing their defined benefit schemes entirely should rethink their plans as alternative strategies could save them money, Aon Hewitt says.

CANADA/UK - The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) has signed a deal to acquire Scotland-based shipping services company V.Group for $520m.

UK - Britain's financial regulator says the low footprint hedge funds have in most capital markets means overall they pose a low systemic risk, but it has warned of a greater influence by the industry in areas such as convertible bonds and commodity and...

UK - The number of pension funds retendering their investment consultant services fell sharply in 2010 from a high of 5.2% of funds in 2009 to 3.5% last year, research suggests.

UK - PZ Cussons has conducted a £2.4m ($4m) enhanced transfer value exercise after its UK defined benefit schemes moved into surplus.

UK - European default on sovereign debt could cause a 45% spike in defined benefit pension scheme deficits, costing sponsors an extra £190bn ($310bn), pension risk experts warn.

UK - Scheme buy-ins reached a record £3bn ($5bn) during the past year but the current low cost "window of opportunity" to transact may be lost when Solvency II kicks in, KPMG said.

UK - Deborah Fuhr, one of the leading figures in the exchange traded funds industry, will step down from her role as global head of ETF research and implementation strategy at BlackRock.

UK - Northamptonshire Pension Scheme has increased its bond allocation mandate to US-based Wellington Management to 15% after a key resignation from its second bond manager UBS.