Portfolio

Investors in tax-exempt debt should be cautious about heeding recent reports about the possibility of widespread bankruptcy and default in the municipal market, and stop running away from solid, safe investments because of distorted opinions in the media. That was the advice from top portfolio managers and traders at DWS Investments. Phil Condon, head of muni portfolio management. and Ashton Goodfield, head of trading, recognized the financial hurdles faced by local governments, but stressed that because of the fundamental changes in the municipal landscape, the muni market should not be considered as "homogenous" as it once was. But for analysts to "sensationalize the stress that municipalities are under" sends the wrong message to investors.

Municipal bond mutual fund outflows moderated last week as a nervous market seemed better able to absorb the relentless fund selling.

Climbing the wall of expiring bank guarantees on municipal debt in the coming months may not turn out to be as daunting as anticipated.

Financial advisors want to know the most important key to becoming a top producer. Most think the answer must be a magical new product, an innovative new sales idea or a remarkable new marketing strategy. However, their jaws drop when they learn the truth. Nathan Bergeland, the CEO and founder of USAdvisors Network, offered some insights.

T. Rowe Price Group announced better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings on Friday as assets under management soared on inflows, particularly to target-date retirement portfolios.

Vanguard on Friday launched the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF, which tracks the MSCI All Country World ex-USA Investable Market Index.

The funds joins the SPDR family and bring the total number of offerings to 96.

From big-ticket spending to long-term planning for their futures, American investors are taking a more conservative approach to handling their money, according to industry professionals.

While endowments for the last fiscal year were able to post an 11.9% investment return, Commonfund President and CEO Verne Sedlacek said yesterday that most funds are “probably still 25% below where they were in 2007.”

State Street Global Advisors on Thursday has launched three new SPDR exchange-traded funds: the SPDR S&P Transportation ETF, the SPDR S&P Telecom ETF and the SPDR S&P Healthcare Equipment ETF.