Portfolio

Most advisors segment their clients books, but few do so systematically, according to a Schwab practice management expert.

Franklin Resources managed to deliver a slight increase in profits for its fiscal fourth quarter ended Sept. 30. Profits rose 1.5% to $372.9 million, or $1.65 a share, from $367.4 million, or $1.59 a share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

DST Systems reported net income of $54.3 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2010, a 10.8% decline from the $60.9 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, it earned in the third quarter of 2009.

If your clients’ eyes glaze over at the mere mention of money markets, remind them of the dark days when these safe investments were suddenly risky.

Morningstar reported it earned $20.8 million in the third quarter, or 41 cents a diluted share, a 7.5% decrease from the $22.5 million, or 45 cents a diluted share, it earned in the third quarter of 2009.

The funds invest in TIPS and shorter-duration bonds.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has postponed the municipal securities field hearing it planned to hold in Chicago on Nov. 16.

Equity fund pull in more than twice as much as the previous week.

Nationwide says that quality of life for high-net-worth retirees could slip sans annuities.

Average balances in 529 college savings plans fall far short of projected higher education costs in most situations, according to Morningstar’s latest research paper and industry survey, released on Monday.