False alarms?
The securities industry has been sounding warnings about the hiked liability it would face under a universal fiduciary duty. But if investor claims continue to be arbitrated, such a rule may actually cost firms little
Edward Jones loses star reps to wirehouses
Edward Jones lost two million-dollar producers in the span of a month. That's a surprise -- given the firm's reputation for holding on to top talent.
Advisers short on long-term-care advice: Survey
Despite a deafening silence from advisers on long-term-care planning, most consumers say they want input from a financial professional on LTC
Stocks slammed again, head for correction territory; ‘Fear index’ at one-year high
Stocks plunged again Thursday as more investors woke up to the possibility that economic problems such as Europe's debt crisis might spread around the world and stop the growing recovery in the U.S.
Behind-the-scenes battle raging in Congress over fiduciary amendment
As the Senate this week wades through scores of amendments to legislation on financial regulatory reform, lobbyists are going toe-to-toe over applying a fiduciary standard.
Bull or bear market? Money managers part company
The stock market appears to be headed for yet another strange day in May, with share prices plunging, then rallying. then falling again. Given the recent market gyrations, money managers disagree on whether it's time to abandon ship
Market rot produces bumper crop for tax-loss harvesters
Market volatility presents an opportunity to offset gains with losses. Is it worth the hassle? Experts say tax-loss harvesting can boost portfolio returns by as much as seven percentage points
Market plummet: Computers gone wild?
The massive stock sell off on Thursday may have been initially triggered by human error. But it appears that mechanized trading had a lot to do with the wild ride that followed. | Readers' rant: What's your take?
‘Significant fight’ brewing over fiduciary amendments
Arlen Specter's call for criminal penalties is sure to draw fire from Republicans on the hill and lobbyists in the Senate reception room
The market is always right – or so we hope
Economists would likely agree that the bond market rally is the market's rational response to current (albeit heavily government-influenced) reality. But there's a disturbing signal ahead.
Buffett shortens bond-holding duration after inflation warning
Warren Buffett shortened the duration of bonds held by his Berkshire Hathaway Inc. after warning that deficit spending could force inflation higher.
Hedge funds record worst month since Lehman aftermath
Firms see biggest one-month loss since Lehman went bust, as bets aimed at minimizing losses didn't. The question now: What will June bring?
Money balled up U.S. financial system, says Michael Lewis
Best-selling author claims lavish compensation rewarded bankers for the wrong things
Insurance agents’ gameplan
Most financial services companies invest heavily in new field agents, only to see one out of every two leave within two years. What's their gameplan?
U.S. probing Morgan Stanley’s ‘Dead Presidents’ deals: Report
Near the end of the real estate boom, Morgan Stanley sold two series of CDOs named after Andrew Jackson and James Buchanan. Now, the Justice Department reportedly wants to know if the bank told clients its trading desk might bet against the 'Dead Presidents' deals
Come again? Robust retirees face highest health care costs
Living longer has its price, study finds
Goldman throws perfect game
Dallas Braden, move over: Goldman Sachs recorded a trading profit every single day in the first quarter -- a feat the Wall Street giant has never accomplished before
“Secret” Social Security strategies for advisers
Many financial planners are in the dark about ways to help clients boost their monthly government checks. That needs to change, says one expert.
Andrew Lo on ‘Geriatric Finance’: When the planning needs to start
Investors should plan now for when and how financial decisions should be made if they become impaired, says investment strategist and professor Andrew Lo.
How to play the new volatility
There's a rollercoaster on Wall Street right now. And it's making retail investors and financial advisers downright queasy. But to one money manager, short-term stock market volatility represents pure opportunity.
