Portfolio

Although 78% of chief financial officers think the economy might not recover for another two years, 39% are planning to increase their capital investments in 2011, mostly on new technology.

One of the benefits of the recession is that the constant coverage of the economy has brought retirement savings and retirement benefits into better focus for many Americans, The Hartford Financial Services Group found in a survey of 1,000 adults, conducted by Zeldis Research.

Investors pull a net $11.6 billion from stock funds during the month, but assets still rose 9.3% thanks to market appreciation.

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.