Portfolio

Mutual funds suffered total estimated outflows of $2.0 billion for the week ended Wednesday, December 5, according to data from the Investment Company Institute.

With the impending fiscal cliff only weeks away, Washington still has not reached a compromise. Yet a recent Gallup survey found that eight in 10 Americans consider achieving resolution to avoid the fiscal cliff extremely or very important. For businesses and individuals, this means a difficult task in year-end tax planning.

For the week ended Dec. 5, investors pulled an estimated $5.84 billion from U.S. funds, bringing total outflows for the year to more than $136 billion.

Many Americans are in the dark about stock market performance in 2012, according to an Edward Jones survey.

OppenheimerFunds is ringing in the holiday season in a geeky but philanthropic way.

Fidelity Investments is lowering investment minimums on 22 equity, fixed income and enhanced index funds, and slashing total net expenses on eight of its Spartan Index funds.

Following the Malvern, Pa., company's announcement of 300 new hires in its Arizona office, the mutual fund giant has announced 354 new positions for its Pennsylvania and North Carolina offices as well.

The Vanguard Group is doing its part in bringing down the national unemployment rate.

Fidelity Investments is taking inspiration from sale season.

Billionaire investors Warren Buffett and George Soros are calling on Congress to increase the estate tax as lawmakers near a decision on tax policies that expire Dec. 31.