Bonds

IRELAND - Demand for Irish government bonds could be boosted by between €7bn ($9.8bn) and €10bn if sovereign annuity proposals are accepted, an economist has predicted.

Risk parity is being hailed by some as an effective way of reducing risk without sacrificing returns, while others warn such promises are an illusion. Chris Panteli finds out more

US - The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged two former State Street employees with misleading investors about their exposure to subprime investments.

CANADA - The Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec, Canada's biggest pension fund manager, isn't ruling out selling more bonds after completing an C$8bn ($7.8bn) borrowing programme three months ago, chief executive officer Michael Sabia said.

US - The New York State Common Retirement Fund has published research investigating the impact of adopting a fixed income only investment strategy.

Vanguard's forthcoming target date funds are very likely to be designed based on the assumption that most people will continue to take an annuity, Peter Robertson says.

UK - Utility corporate bonds pose significant risks for many investors and are part of a "worrying trend," M&G says.

Utility corporate bonds pose significant risks for many investors and are part of a "worrying trend," M&G says.

GLOBAL - Emerging market debt's weak correlation with developed world bond markets means investors have a prime opportunity to enhance returns and reduce risk through diversification, Legg Mason affiliate Western Asset Management believes.

The economic downturn in 2009 saw pension funds swing towards corporate bonds. But now the dust has settled, Laura Blows questions their current role