Portfolio

Investors are more optimistic this month about the economy than they were last month, according to a survey released on Tuesday.

Fixed annuities drag the overall numbers down, but variable annuity sales are growing at a healthy clip.

Ameriprise Financial Inc. plans to reduced the lineup of mutual funds run by Columbia Management, but step up marketing and add jobs, according to a report in the Boston Globe.

The Tuition Plan Consortium said Monday it re-launched Independent 529 Plan as Private College 529 Plan, to foster pre-purchasing of tuition fees as present rates. The consortium said its Private College 529 Plan will offer investors a way to lock in tuition rates at more than 275 private colleges and universities.

The new vehicle comes less than three years after the close of its predecessor, which is already showing a 13% IRR.

The Tuition Plan Consortium said Monday it re-launched Independent 529 Plan as Private College 529 Plan, to foster pre-purchasing of tuition fees as present rates.

Edward Jones, a St. Louis-based brokerage firm, announced Monday that it has added 12 model portfolio to its mutual fund and exchange-traded fund advisory program.

BlackRock Inc., the world's largest money manager, said on Monday it will buy Taiwanese fund management firm Primasia Investment Trust.ust.

The New York money manager plans to acquire Primasia Investment Trust Co. to enter Taiwan's domestic mutual fund market.

The St. Louis brokerage firm added 12 model portfolios to its mutual fund and exchange-traded fund advisory program, Edward Jones Advisory Solution.