Portfolio

Workers who participate in 401(k) plans would be greatly served if a bill that has just been reintroduced in the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension is passed.

FINRA has ordered Credit Suisse and Merrill Lynch to pay up after providing faulty data and supervision of residential subprime mortgage securitizations.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index rose to -48.2 in the week ended May 22, up from a nine-month low of -49.4 the previous week. Readings of -40 or less are associated with recessions and their aftermaths, Bloomberg said.

National Advisors Trust revamps its board of directors with a trio of new members and the appointment of a new chairman.

dividends_emerging markets_Forward Management

Global X Funds on Thursday launched the Global X Fertilizers/Potash ETF, giving investors access to what Global X calls a “critical” agricultural and commodity sector.

Outflows from equity funds totaled $25 million in the week ended May 18, the Investment Company Institute said.

The funds are tied to Russia and to global agribusiness.

For portfolio managers of municipal bond funds, the past several months haven’t been for the faint of heart. Still, muni fund managers report mixed experiences in riding out the prolonged flood of outflows.

Guaranteed living benefits were adopted, when they were offered with variable annuities, 86% in the first quarter, according to LIMRA. That was down from a peak of 90% in the first quarter of 2009, notes Dan Beatrice senior analyst, retirement research with LIMRA.