Pension Risk Transfer Index Falls 0.30% in January
The Dietrich Pension Risk Transfer Index was nearly unchanged from its prior month’s level of 86.65 and currently sits at 86.35 as of February 1, 2012.
The Markets
Younger Investors Reluctant to Make New IRA Contributions
Less than half (45%) of young investors plan to contribute to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) for the 2011 tax year.
Foundations and Endowments See Negative Performance in 2011
The majority of institutional asset owners closed 2011 in positive territory, according to the Wilshire Trust Universe Comparison Service (Wilshire TUCS).
Long-Term Outlook of Stock Market Likely Attractive
The long-run outlook for the global stock market is likely to be attractive despite a backdrop of elevated market volatility, below-average growth expectations, and near-0% short-term interest rates,...
Few Investors Aware That U.S. Stock Market Outperformed BRIC
Few investors are aware that the U.S. stock market has outperformed BRIC markets for four years, according to research from Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC.
Putnam Officials Optimistic about U.S. Economy
At a recent Putnam Investments media briefing, company officials said they predict the U.S. economy could surprise on the upside in 2012.
RIA Deals Increased in 2011
Registered investment adviser (RIA) deals increased in 2011 despite a decline in the overall number of deals, according to an industry-wide RIA mergers and acquisitions transaction report from...
ETF Industry Crossed $1T in 2011
The U.S. exchange-traded funds (ETF) industry grew to more than $1.04 trillion in assets under management in 2011, according to a report from State Street Global Advisors (SSgA).
401(k) Participant Transfer Activity Slowed in December
The volume of 401(k) participant transfer activity was below average for December, according to the Aon Hewitt 401(k) Index.
Capping Deferral Limit Wouldn’t Do Much to Fix Budget Deficit
A paper suggests that lowering deferral limits to 401(k)-type plans wouldn’t make much dent in the U.S. budget deficit and could result in workers not saving.
U.S. Mutual Funds See Net Inflows of $65B in 2011
Strategic Insight (SI) reports investors withdrew an estimated net $22 billion from stock and bond mutual funds in the U.S. in December.
Long-Term Funds Mark Worst Stretch in Four Years
Long-term mutual funds had a second consecutive month of net redemptions with outflows of $9.8 billion in December 2011.
Institutional Investors Address Climate Risk
Institutional investors that participated in a survey by Mercer addressed climate change risk via asset allocation and other initiatives.
Investors Express Optimism for Retirement Plan Investing
The John Hancock Investor Sentiment Index score improved in the fourth quarter of 2011 from the annual low measured in the year’s third quarter.
Plan Sponsors Need to Be More Aware of Administrative Fees
Plan sponsors are not fully knowledgeable of their plan administrative fees.
Institutional Investment Managers Express Optimism
Institutional investment managers are gaining confidence in the U.S. economy, according to a quarterly survey conducted by Northern Trust.
BofA Merrill Lynch: Educating Participants a Top Priority for Advisers in 2011
Education was chief among priorities for plan sponsors and advisers in 2011, according to Kevin Crain, head of institutional retirement and benefit services for Bank Of America Merrill...
Milliman Reports a Bad Year for Pensions
Milliman, Inc’s latest Pension Funding Index shows that in December, pensions experienced a $59.7 billion decrease in pension funded status.
J.P. Morgan Predicts Top Investment Trends for 2012
The year 2011 was packed with market surprises from natural disasters to ratings downgrades to cultural revolutions.