A select group of mutual funds that can invest beyond stocks, bonds and cash are being heralded as the next great innovation, but some industry observers question whether the funds are merely repackaging an existing concept.
Several third-party technology providers have banded together and this week launched a new forum to help educate and assist newly independent advisers in their selection of software, hardware and other technology components to complete their back offices.
Retail sales fell for the fifth consecutive month — 1.8% in November — according to the Department of Commerce.
The economic crisis has reduced prices of U.S. imported and exported goods and services at the fastest pace since 1988, when records were first kept, according to a Department of Labor report.
Morgan Stanley downgraded ING Groep NV, Standard Life PLC and Aegon NV to “underweight” from “equal weight,” expecting more challenges ahead for the insurers, Reuters reported.
Those regs, slated to go into effect Jan. 1, require that retirement plans run by non-profit groups must have new plan document rules in place.
The Ryland Group has become the latest home builder to slash its dividend, chopping its quarterly dividend by 75% to 3 cents a share, from 12 cents.
The Reserve Management Co. Inc. of New York has announced that it has begun distributions for 12 of its money market mutual funds and gave a distribution schedule for a host of others.
Excise taxes imposed on retirement savings account holders who do not take minimum distributions by age 70½ would be suspended for 2009 under legislation unanimously approved last night by the House of Representatives.
