Portfolio

The IRI said the nation’s insurance regulatory system needs to be modernized – and insurance products, most notably annuities and other insured retirement income products – need to be made available to underserved populations.

U.S. stocks closed mixed Friday, wrapping up a forgettable week that featured a lot of anxiety about the goings-on in Europe and a better-than-expected jobs report.

Morningstar has announced its five nominees for the Morningstar Domestic Stock Fund Manager of the Year Award. The 2011 nominees are:

William Blair Funds has introduced the William Blair Small-Mid Cap Value Fund, aimed at delivering long-term capital appreciation and portfolio diversification by taking moderate risk.

The $241 billion PIMCO Total Return, which has underperformed its peers over the past year -- returning 3.48% year to date -- has been hit with $17 billion in outflows, Morningstar data shows. By comparison, taxable bond funds, which are up 5.87% YTD, took in $105.8 billion in inflows over the past 12 months.

Eleven of these additions are also being made to the Russell 2000 Index. Fifteen of the IPOs are also becoming part of the Russell ex-U.S. Index—12 of which are in Asia-Pacific, eight in emerging markets and four becoming part of the Russell Greater China Index.

Russell Global Index is absorbing 31 initial public offerings for the fourth quarter, effective Monday, Dec. 19.

William Blair Funds has introduced the William Blair Small-Mid Cap Value Fund, aimed at delivering long-term capital appreciation and portfolio diversification by taking moderate risk.

The $241 billion PIMCO Total Return, which has underperformed its peers over the past year—returning 3.48% year to date—has been hit with $17 billion in outflows, Morningstar data shows. By comparison, taxable bond funds, which are up 5.87% YTD, took in $105.8 billion in inflows over the past 12 months.

Invesco has launched the Invesco Premium Income Fund, aimed at investors looking for current income streams, the investment management firm announced. The strategy is designed “to provide protection during periods of economic stress” while still meeting income goals, the firm said in a statement.