The Markets

Russell Investments launched a new global benchmark to offer investors increased flexibility in their global mandate.

A report from the Investment Company Institute shows that between March 2010 and June 2010, retirement assets fell 5.1%, from $16.5 trillion to $15.7 trillion.

Vanguard topped the chart for fund flows year-to-date, according to a recent report from Strategic Insight, an Asset International company.

An MFS Investment Management survey found misperceptions regarding asset allocation and retirement readiness. 

Russell Investments and Parametric Portfolio Associates have collaborated on a new index series that measures the return dispersion of a varied selection of securities.

Journal Communications, a Milwaukee-based media company, is freezing its defined benefit plan and boosting its 401(k) match, effective January 1, 2011.

Sixty-eight percent of institutional investors believe a double-dip recession is unlikely, according to a Northern Trust Global Advisors (NTGA) poll.

Investors poured more than $25 billion into U.S.-listed ETFs, boosting total year-to-date net inflows to roughly $65 billion, according to new Morningstar data.

Long-term funds had inflows of $14.3 billion in September; the fourth consecutive month of positive long-term inflows, according to data from Morningstar.

iShares said today that the current tax environment, combined with the characteristics of 529 college savings plans, can be most useful during this time of year. 

Investors added $26 billion to U.S. exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in September, resuming the trend of monthly net inflows interrupted by $1 billion in August outflows, according to Strategic...

Propelled by demand for bond funds and international exposure, U.S. mutual fund investors added about $16 billion in net new cash to U.S. stock and bond mutual funds...

The latest data from the Aon Hewitt 401(k) Index for September indicates that asset movement slightly favored fixed income, despite the strength of equity markets during the month.

U.S. ETF industry assets increased $84.8 billion (10.6%) in September, according to State Street Global Advisors (SSgA).

The Renewable Energy Initiative (TREI) is encouraging companies across the country to add existing publicly traded renewable energy funds to their 401(k) investment menus.

TD Ameritrade's new ETF Market Center has a list of more than 100 commission-free exchange-traded funds (ETFs), chosen by Morningstar Associates.   

Vanguard has appointed Wellington Management Company, LLP and Delaware Investments as investment advisers to Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund.

Russell Global Infrastructure Fund and the Russell Global Credit Strategies Fund are the latest additions to Russell Investment offerings. 

Vanguard says that by reducing the minimums for the ultra-low-cost Admiral Shares, nearly 2 million shareholders in 52 funds will benefit.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) returns were nearly five times greater than those of the broader U.S. equity market in the first three quarters of 2010.