Philadelphia Public Employees Retirement System is searching for a...

Philadelphia Public Employees Retirement System is searching for a firm to help the $4.3 billion pension fund conduct an analysis of its trading cost, said Tony Johnson, CIO. System staff and the board are looking to monitor the fund's trading more closely "particularly in light of the soft-dollar issue," Mr. Johnson said. Several firms, including Plexus and Elkins/McSherry, have already been in discussions with the system, but plan officials also want to hear from any other interested firms, Mr. Johnson said. Interested firms should contact Chris McDonough, investment officer, as soon as possible. The fund wants to present the results of the analysis to the board of directors as early as its May 20 meeting.