AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch financial services group ING Groep (ING.AS) reported a bigger-than-expected 19 percent drop in quarterly net profit, hit by weaker returns from real estate, private equity and market investments.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The darkening clouds looming over private equity aren't scaring off the nation's largest public pension fund.

Shareholders of Topps Co. approved a $385.4-million private equity takeover of the maker of sports cards and candy, the company said Wednesday, defeating activist investors who had said the price was too low.

A rout in junk bonds threatens the boom in corporate buyouts. NEW YORK — The private equity boom that has helped drive the 4 1/2 -year-old bull market in stocks is facing severe pressure as investors chastened by the sub-prime mortgage debacle balk at financing risky deals.

Foreign stocks, private equity and other risky investments boost CalPERS and CalSTRS. The pension funds for California public employees and teachers posted above-average returns in the last year thanks to large holdings in overseas stocks and private equity, data released Monday showed.