Portfolio

PHOENIX - Commissioner Elisse Walter told fund industry executives gathered here to re-engage with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a new round of reform of money market mutual funds - and end its "unconstructive disengagement'' on the subject

A shift in American investor appetite towards investment outcome, as opposed to relative return, is changing their buying behavior, according to research published by Casey, Quirk & Associates and the eVestment Alliance.

Leslie Christian, former CEO, and CIO of Portland, Ore.–based Portfolio 21 Investments, has left the firm.

John Hancock has launched an ad campaign reaching out to financial advisors, focusing on the position of trust many enjoy with their clients.

Commerce Bank promoted a portfolio manager in Kansas City to vice president and market executive for its trust operation’s central Missouri region.

Fund administrator Gemini Fund Services has launched its third shared mutual fund trust, the Northern Lights Fund Trust III.

The Valley Forge, Pa.-based purveyor of low-cost mutual funds Vanguard is embarking on an ad campaign to encourage investors to understand that costs matter in their investment lives.

Greg Francfort, who most recently served as director of Neuberger Berman’s global equity research team, will be joining the firm’s MLG Group, which manages approximately $7 billion in assets for individuals, institutions and mutual funds.

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. has launched the Aberdeen U.S. High Yield Bond Fund, which will bet on below investment grade bonds.

Paulson, rating agencies respond to The Hartford’s decision to place individual annuity business into run off and pursue divestiture options for individual life, Woodbury Financial and retirement plans.