Fed's low-interest-rate policy making tax-exempt debt very attractive, say portfolio managers; 'renewed confidence'
States, cities face rate cuts as financial pressures mount, credit rater warns; defaults, while rare, could increase
Timing is everything, and the high-profile analyst blew hers with that celebrated muni meltdown prediction for 2011; she still may end up being right, though
Dire prediction by high-profile analyst fails to pan out; tax-exempt debt sees 10.5% gain this year
Structured certificates of deposit offers exposure to market upside -- and downside; FDIC insured
Albert Pujols may have made a smart decision signing with the L.A. Angels instead of the Florida Marlins or sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals. His tax attorney may have a different view on the subject, however.
This was supposed to be the year the muni market went to hell in a handbasket. But with yields now matching -- and even surpassing comparable Treasuries -- tax-exempt bonds are suddenly very hot. | <a href=http://www.investmentnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=CI&Date=20111208&Category=FREE&ArtNo=120809999&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=PH>The ten muni funds investors flocked to in 2011 &raquo;</a>
Even with reforms, advisers could sally forth with new schemes
Unsecured debt for company maintenance facility now trading at 16 cents on the dollar
Every time the debate over the fiduciary standard of client care hits the news, RIAs pick up a few more clients.
The Obama administration, Congress and the SEC need to continue to press forward with their efforts to ensure that brokers are required to act in their clients' undivided best interests at all times
Don't expect the SEC's fiduciary proposal this year. According to a Commission insider, ramped-up cost-benefit analysis is gumming up the works. Said the official: 'The time frame certainly has slipped.'
The lack of empirical evidence showing that brokers lead investors into bad investments because they want the commissions from those products is making it a challenge for supporters of a uniform fiduciary duty to convince lawmakers that there is a problem
Claims amicus brief filed by commission supports plaintiffs' argument brokerage propped up auctions; 'unchartered territory'
Morgan Stanley is planning to lay off 2.6% of its workforce, but reps at MSSB are safe. An insider, however, says the brokerage 'won't entirely escape the belt-tightening.'
Bipartisan support is growing in the U.S. Congress for new rules banning insider trading by lawmakers amid concerns about waning trust among the public.
New restrictions on insider-trading by U.S. lawmakers are needed to help lift waning public trust in Congress.
Neuberger Berman Group has put research analyst Fayad Abbasi on paid leave as it looks into insider-trading
