Barclays suspends trading on commodity-linked ETN
A second commodity-linked iPath exchange-traded note issued by Barclays Bank PLC – the iPath Dow Jones-UBS Platinum Subindex Total Return Exchange Traded Note (PGM) – stopped trading today due to an “ongoing regulatory review” of such products, the bank said in a statement.
Morningstar’s top 2009 fund managers stuck to their guns
The three winners of the 2009 Fund Manager of the Year awards announced today by Morningstar Inc. all have one thing in common: they all stuck to their investment strategies during a difficult period, laying the groundwork for last year's success.
Financial stocks may look tempting, but some advise caution
The last of the big Wall Street banks' efforts to repay TARP funds met with mixed results in the stock market last week — a cautionary tale for investors who are looking to dabble in the financial services sector.
WisdomTree international ETF offers forex hedge
WisdomTree Investments Inc. last week launched an exchange-traded fund for investors who want to maintain exposure to international…
State tax collections dip, raising concerns about muni bonds
“Headline risk” associated with municipal bonds went up today when the U.S. Census Bureau released data that state government tax collections totaled $715.2 billion in fiscal year 2009. That's a decrease of nearly $67 billion (8.6%) from fiscal 2008.
ETFs may provide diversification, but be wary of exotic types
Exchange-traded funds potentially make it easier for financial advisers to build a well-diversified portfolio that limits volatility by spreading risk. But the proliferation of more exotic ETFs — particularly leveraged and inverse ETFs — could blunt their diversification potential.
Mutual Fund Directors Forum founder Ruder steps down as chairman
David Ruder, founder of the Mutual Fund Directors Forum, is retiring as its chairman but will continue as chairman emeritus of the organization.
Fund fee debate takes center stage
A Supreme Court ruling expected this year on the standards that courts use to determine when mutual fund fees are excessive, and a renewed focus by the SEC on 12(b)-1 fees, guarantee that the mutual fund industry will spend a good deal of time debating fees in 2010.
Once burned, he’s not shy about demands
Sen. Christopher Dodd has his own reasons for pushing hard for financial services reform next year.
Hounding the fund industry
Always looking for new ways to keep the mutual fund industry on its toes, investor advocate Mercer Bullard is thinking of forming a political action committee that would target members of Congress too close to the industry.