Portfolio

The optimal combination of high corporate bond yields and budding investment returns for defined benefit plans was not evident in this year’s third quarter, as pensions’ worldwide saw an “offset of strong investment returns” due to the decline in yields, Towers Watson said.

Use of the advice service that Bank of America Merrill Lynch Retirement & Benefit Plan Services offers 401(k) plan sponsors for free increased 23% year-to-date since September 2009.

Modest growth is predicted for 2011 approaches, with equities showing promise and emerging markets looking particularly attractive for investors, according ING’s head of asset allocation.

Imagine this: An entire generation of investors has accumulated a significant amount of investable cash, but was too apprehensive of the stock market, of advisors, and of the potential costs, to know how to invest the money.

ING’s asset allocation chief says inflation won’t be a factor in the near future.

Combined market volatility and low interest rates have created the ideal environment for indexed annuity sales as fixed products continue to suffer, LIMRA says.

And 38% have a target nest egg in mind.

The SEC will vote on raising the threshold for registration from $25 million to $100 million.

The story in the municipal bond market this month has been bleak. The story in the municipal bond exchange-traded fund ­market has been even bleaker.

Collapsing margins – but serving customers better. Integrating complex platforms – then setting up standard-setting data centers, out of fresh cloth. Here’s how 10 top CIOs became the best on Wall Street.