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April 12, 2010

Past Issues

Mutual Funds

Week In Review

Critics Say Funds Bear Responsibility for Executive Pay, Schwab YieldPlus Failed to Obtain Shareholder Vote, HSAs Unlikely to Cover Health Costs in Retirement, Judge Grants Coverage For Whistleblowers in Fidelity Investments Case, HNW Delaying Retirement For the Good Things in Life, Broadridge and IBM Sign Alliance, Affluent and Millionaires Split Over Economy, Large Firms See Benefits To Collective Investment Trusts, and FINRA, SEC Charge Morgan Keegan Bond Funds.

Target-Date Funds 2.0: Sturdier Shock Absorbers

After target-date funds took massive losses in 2008-most notably, those with a near-term retirement date that were supposed to protect investors' money-many on Wall Street expected target-date investors to move their savings elsewhere. But according to Morningstar, most people have ignored the criticism and made target-date funds the focus of their retirement savings.

Alternative Investments

ETFs Add Exposure to Alternatives

NEW YORK -- Asset managers looking for creative new ways to profit during the global recovery have been launching a wave of exchange-traded products that aim to help portfolio managers and sophisticated investors increase their exposure to alternative investments and small-capital stocks. Last week, Invesco PowerShares, Scottrade and Van Eck Global all launched specialized exchange-traded funds that provide exposure to everything from domestic small-cap companies to Latin American economies.

Derivatives, No Longer 'WMD,' Gaining Respect

They've been derided by Warren Buffett and feared by regulators, but some advisers are convincing clients that derivatives are helpful. Back in 2002, when AIG was still in that ultra-exclusive Triple-A-rated club and its financial strength seemed all but unbreakable, the billionaire signaled an ominous warning in Berkshire Hathaway's annual report: 'Derivatives are financial weapons of mass destruction, carrying dangers that, while now latent, are potentially lethal.'

Regulation & Compliance

BoA Support for Consumer Agency Lends Credence

Bank of America Corp. is breaking ranks with other large banks by supporting consumer-protection provisions in regulatory reform legislation, several sources said. The provision has been one of the most controversial elements in the reform effort, and the support of a large financial institution could help build momentum for the idea.

Executive Moves

Executive Moves

Columbia Management Expects Massive Layoffs, SEC Names Griffin First Chief Compliance Officer, SEC Names Keyes COO For N.Y. Regional Office, and Brown Brothers Names Sovine Trust President.