May Fund Flows Follow April Trends
Stock and bond funds experienced net inflows of $55.5 billion in May, according to the Financial Research Corporation (FRC).
The Markets
Participants Still Putting Money in Stable Value
Research by Rocaton indicates that despite credit market conditions that have created challenges for many stable value funds and for the stable value industry in general, the funds...
Target-Dates Useful but Flawed, Witnesses Tell SEC and DoL
In a joint hearing on target-date funds before the Department of Labor (DoL) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), witnesses were in favor of the use of...
Stock, Bond Subclasses Key to Target-Date Performance
Target-date funds’ allocations among stock and bond subclasses were among the primary determinants of the funds’ performance, new Vanguard Group research found.
Participant Transfers Follow Equity Market Rally
Participant transfers in May moved toward equities and away from fixed income, according to the Hewitt 401(k) Index.
Russell Reconstitution Revamps Reveal Global Realignments
Russell Investments has posted lists of stocks set for addition to or removal from the Russell Global Index when it is fully reconstituted June 29.
BlackRock Snags BGI, iShares
BlackRock, Inc. says it has executed a purchase agreement to acquire Barclays Global Investors (BGI), including its iShares exchange-traded fund (ETF) platform.
Separate Accounts Saw Equity Rebound in Q1
Investors showed continued confidence in U.S. stock separate accounts and collective trusts in the first quarter of 2009, according to Morningstar.
Shifts from Equity Insulates Participants from Market Losses
Defined contribution balances continued to slip in the first quarter, but at a slower pace.
CUNA Mutual Announces Cash Balance Conversion
As part of a plan to shave $50 million in expenses this year, CUNA Mutual Group announced the company will move from a defined benefit pension plan to...
Putnam to Enter Hedge Fund Business
Mutual fund company Putnam Investments plans to offer hedge fund portfolios in the next six to 12 months, its chief executive officer said on Friday, according to Reuters.
GM Removed from S&P 500
General Motors Corp. will be removed from the S&P 500 index after the close of trading today, Standard and Poor’s announced.
Mass. City Teachers’ Agreement Includes 403(b) Match Cut
Newburyport (Massachusetts) School Committee member George Moker said teachers have agreed to give back on several items in order to achieve an agreement in tough economic times.
Citi, GM Lose Spots on Dow
Two mainstays of American business upended by the economic downturn are now losing their coveted spot in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, according to a Dow Jones&Company announcement.
IMHO: Clock Work?
In recent weeks, those favoring a government solution to the issue of retirement security/savings have championed the soundness of Social Security.
Investors Choose Corporate Bonds in April
Stock and bond funds experienced net inflows of $42.1 billion in April, according to data from the Financial Research Corporation (FRC).
Vanguard Cuts Nevada 529 Plan Expenses
The Vanguard Group has announced expense reductions, effective June 1, 2009, across the entire lineup of investment options in The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan, sponsored by the...
IMHO: “End″ Points?
Several years back, after a day of meetings in Manhattan, I caught the train home.
529s Shed 12.4% of Assets in Q408
The combined assets of all Section 529 college savings plans fell 12.4% in the fourth quarter to $104.9 billion.
Brandeis Suspends Plan Match for a Year
Brandeis University announced plans to suspend its retirement plan match for faculty and staff starting in July because of the faltering economy.