Consumers left in the loan lurch as big banks still hold off

<i>Friday's menu:</i> Consumers still left in the loan lurch. Plus: Which manager just jumped into the liquid alts pool? Some stocks for a rising-rate cycle; commodities are hot again; European banks ride the wave; and Merrill trims its housing outlook.
APR 17, 2014
  • As the big banks rolled out earnings reports over the past week it has become increasingly obvious that consumers are still not getting clean and clear access to credit. Corporate lending is up 7%
  • Brinker Capital jumps on the liquid alts bandwagon in the latest sign of a real and fast-expanding category. Responding to requests from financial advisers
  • Some stocks like higher interest rates more than others. Life is not fair and that might be a good thing for savvy investors. Companies will benefit disproportionately
  • Commodities are once again acting as diversifiers and investors are taking notice. YTD inflows reverse 2013 outflows
  • Rumors of ECB stimulus plans are driving European bonds higher and pushing yields to new lows. This looks like Mario Draghi's no-holds-barred effort to nudge the inflation rate above 0.5%. Pledging unlimited support
  • Merrill Lynch has trimmed its 2014 housing market forecast. The main culprit? You guessed it, weather. A more muted rebound

Latest News

Maryland bars advisor over charging excessive fees to clients
Maryland bars advisor over charging excessive fees to clients

Blue Anchor Capital Management and Pickett also purchased “highly aggressive and volatile” securities, according to the order.

Wave of SEC appointments signals regulatory shift with implications for financial advisors
Wave of SEC appointments signals regulatory shift with implications for financial advisors

Reshuffle provides strong indication of where the regulator's priorities now lie.

US insurers want to take a larger slice of the retirement market through the RIA channel
US insurers want to take a larger slice of the retirement market through the RIA channel

Goldman Sachs Asset Management report reveals sharpened focus on annuities.

Why DA Davidson's wealth vice chairman still follows his dad's investment advice
Why DA Davidson's wealth vice chairman still follows his dad's investment advice

Ahead of Father's Day, InvestmentNews speaks with Andrew Crowell.

401(k) participants seek advice, but few turn to financial advisors
401(k) participants seek advice, but few turn to financial advisors

Cerulli research finds nearly two-thirds of active retirement plan participants are unadvised, opening a potential engagement opportunity.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today’s choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave