Alternative Investment

Charlotte Moore looks at the trend towards indeces formed using alternative criteria

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has approved agreements between European Union (EU) alternatives regulators.

Almost six out of ten respondents thought defined contribution schemes could make better use of alternative assets, while just one in twenty disagreed. But many respondents admitted to being unsure of exactly how schemes could make these funds available...

The Chancellor has revealed plans to remove stamp duty on AIM shares, as part of the 2013 Budget.

Croydon Pension Fund is the latest local government pension scheme to add infrastructure to its investment portfolio.

Institutional investors continue to diversify portfolios, tripling the number of global infrastructure mandates awarded over 2012, according to figures from Towers Watson.

The Pension Protection Fund has appointed seven fund managers to look after its farmland and timberland portfolio.

The Environment Agency Pension Fund has called for expressions of interest from asset managers to create a £250m portfolio of funds investing in property, land and infrastructure.

Associated British Foods has added a First Quadrant risk parity fund as an alternative option for members in its defined contribution scheme.

Blackrock has acquired the European private equity and infrastructure fund of funds arm of Swiss Re and entered into a strategic agreement with the re-insurance house.