The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. has sold its private-placement life insurance operations
Global stocks rose for the first time in 11 days and commodities and the euro advanced as European leaders drafted a framework for the region's bail-out fund and America's Thanksgiving retail sales jumped to a record. Treasuries declined.
Fee-only financial advisers have long held themselves out as being more ethical than commissioned stockbrokers. Fee-only advisers claim to adhere to a fiduciary standard that requires them to act in the best interests of their clients, meaning that they must set aside their personal interests and fully disclose all their fees and any conflicts of interest
It's been an up and down year for fund firms and their stock pickers. Nevertheless, a number of portfolio managers emerged as investor favorites during 2011. Here are the hottest of the hot.
The push for increased oversight of the financial investment and advice industry may have gotten an unexpected boost
With 2011 sales of life insurance products up just 4% over last year, carriers and producers would be well served by mining social networks to step up growth.
Strategist says country's debt now approaching country's output; 'Rogoffian' effect would put the brakes on growth
Looking at a developed world that may dip into recession, the global investment committee at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has decided to dial back risk
In what the firm calls its “most significant change” to its tactical asset allocation in two years, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's global investment committee is adopting an overweight position in safe havens and underweight position in risk assets
Anthera share price plummets more than 50% following 'unexpected and disappointing' result in final test
Strong recovery expected for precious metal in 2012 as real rates stay low; $2,200 an ounce?
Pimco flagship likely to record net redemptions this year, a first; 'can become a bigger problem'
Famed market forecaster Laszlo Birinyi says markets are nearly impossible to forecast. His advice? Invest in corporate icons.
Famed stock picker ups equity weighting; U.S., emerging market shares 'very cheap'
Equal-weighted S&P 500 up 66% since 2000; marquee stocks a bust
Uncle Sam's paper up 26% this year; given troubles in Europe, demand not 'waning anytime soon'
With stock trading down, the major online brokerage firms continue to ramp up their options-trading capabilities. While futures generate sizable commissions, critics worry that the use of greater leverage could leave less-sophisticated investors wondering where their money went.
Data suggests that there is growing investment interest in advisory firms from private-equity specialists and consolidators. But with buyers getting choosier, it's also easy to foul up a potential sale. | <b>Special Report:</b> <a href=http://www.investmentnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=specialreporttemplate&issuedate=20111118&sid=EXIT>Selling your practice &raquo;</a>
United Capital Financial Advisers LLC's purchase of Peak Capital Investment Services LLC last week is a sign of the times
Lincoln National Corp.'s CEO today stressed that the insurer has sufficient reserves for its universal life products
