REAL ESTATE – Real estate data firm IPD has launched a new property information service on UK real estate aimed at smaller pension funds.

IPD said Property Intelligence, which will also target charities and retail investors, caters to the recent trend among small investors more actively to manage their investment portfolios. It also reflects the increased availability of indirect investment vehicles.

The new service is a scaled down version of IPD’s Property Analysis Service, which measures GBP200bn of direct property investments in the UK and €375bn of direct investments in 19 other markets.

Amanda Gorry, a spokeswoman for IPD, said: "Small pension funds can’t afford to join IPD at the same level as large ones. This isn’t as detailed as the information available to large pension funds, but it does give them market information."