Alternative investments

'Tis the season when the leaves change, the National Football League is kicking its season into second gear, the Yankees are once again chasing another championship, and...yes, there's another mutual fund conference to attend.

Mutual fund companies are increasingly taking on the mindset of hedge funds, as they seek to offer clients access to alternative investments such as commodities or real estate and strategies like absolute return investing and combinations of going long on some stocks and selling others short.

Old Mutual Asset Management, the US-based global asset management business of Old Mutual plc, has agreed to sell five of its US affiliates to their current senior management teams.

Rising interest in hedge fund-like mutual funds among advisors and investors have driven service providers and fund managers alike to adjust their businesses to account for legal and tax ramifications of serving and operating alternative mutual funds.

More than one-third of the nation’s largest pension plans and institutional investors believe that traditional investing approaches will not be effective in 10 years.

Securities and Exchange Commission member Daniel Gallagher said Thursday the stable net asset value of shares in money funds is again under review.

Sure, it slows down decisions. Sure, it's difficult to do.

Rising interest in hedge fund-like mutual funds among advisors and investors have driven service providers and fund managers alike to adjust their businesses to account for legal and tax ramifications of serving and operating alternative mutual funds.

Multi-manager shop Virtus Investment Partners has unveiled a new manager, Newfound Investments, which will expand Virtus' offerings to include rules-based strategies to manage a variety of asset classes.

UMB Fund Services has launched a transfer agency service dubbed Alternative Investment Communication Engine for it growing number of registered hedge fund clients and potential clients.

Pyxis Capital has hired Keith Watts as Head of National Sales.

Hatteras Funds has launched the Hatteras Managed Futures Strategies Fund (HMFIX, HMFAX), which bets on an existing $56 million strategy of the Hatteras Alpha Hedged Strategies Fund (ALPHX, APHAX, APHCX, ALPIX), a multi-strategy, multi-manager alternative mutual fund.

Taylor Alternative Mutual Funds has launched the Taylor Xplor Managed Futures Strategy Fund (TMFIX), the first mutual fund of the Taylor ALTS family of funds.

Investors seek higher yield in a crowded dividend market, analysts discuss whether this is a good investment or if the market is a bubble that will burst.

A planning firm emphasizes educating clients, especially women, and staying current with them.

Our annual Influencer Awards honor six individuals whose contributions are pushing the field to new heights.

Well, that was quick.

TIAA-CREF has added a new socially responsible fund dubbed the Social Choice Bond Fund (TSBIX, TSBBX, TSBRX, TSBPX), an actively managed, core fixed-income mutual fund.

Altegris has expanded its sales team of with the addition of Valentina Glaviano as Director of Distribution Strategy, a newly created position.

Palmer Square Capital Management today officially revealed the hiring of Emily Colella as a managing director, responsible for business development.