Overcrowding is behind a nearly 18% slump in the number of mutual funds launched in 2007 and a comparable percentage jump in those merged out of existence.
The forces that drove the retirement marketplace in 2007 — the automatic enrollment and default option provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the aging baby boomers and a focus on the rollover market — will continue to shape product launches this year.
In January, 74,986 American workers were laid off, an increase of 69% from December’s total of 44,416.
Technology to help automate and improve the compliance function may not ring a financial adviser's cash register, but it certainly can reduce the time-consuming and potentially costly problems that compliance failures create.
Raymond James' asset-management unit and its bank could be worth close to $4 billion, according to Barrons.
In a bid to take advantage of the stock market's volatility, mutual fund companies are reopening closed funds at a record pace.
Strong earnings and sound investment portfolios will keep the life insurance industry stable this year, according to Moody’s Investors Service.
The minor-league status of WisdomTree Investments Inc. in the world of exchange traded funds could change following a deal struck last month with The Dreyfus Corp.
Two mutual funds that offer set payouts and principal guarantees have been launched, with more expected, but financial advisers think the guarantee is flimsy.
If Charles Massimo had it to do all over again, he still would choose to leave Smith Barney and become an independent broker.
