Portfolio

ING Financial Partners, the broker dealer of ING U.S., has developed a new practice management program designed to help financial advisors address lifetime income planning needs of their near-retirement clients.

Among the big deals this week: First Allied buys Legend from Waddell & Reed to form a firm with $28 billion under management.

Relationships help fund firms retain assets, says Cogent Research.

The SSgA Tuckerman Active REIT Fund will soon be looking for another subadvisor.

Bill Gross, who runs the world’s biggest mutual fund at Pacific Investment Management Co., said there is no evidence that investment is being spurred by the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program.

The NASDAQ's parent group is acquiring a new index provider.

Former SEC chairman Arthur Levitt called the lack of an adequate backup plan a “body blow” to the reputation of the New York Stock Exchange. NYSE Euronext called his comments “appallingly and irresponsibly wrong.”

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management vice chairman Paul Hatch has said publicly that these reps-as-portfolio-manager programs are "a permanent change."

In a continued push to reform regulation for advisors, five independent financial firms have joined the Financial Services Institute.

Hurricane Sandy kicked up total estimated inflows to long-term mutual funds to $5.45 billion for the week ended Wednesday, October 24, according to the Investment Company Institute.