Portfolio

Jefferies on Wednesday launched the TR/J CRB Wildcatters Exploration & Production ETF, an exchange-traded fund that tracks the Thomson Reuters/Jefferies CRB Wildcatters Energy E&P Equity Index and trades on NYSE Arca.

In an effort to help educate investors, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board yesterday issued a “fact sheet” containing seven questions they can ask their financial professionals when considering investing in municipal bonds.

Claim SEC Exceeded Its Authority

While 64% of life insurance producers say they are “very likely” to stay with their current company, almost 20% would consider switching firms if the company culture, style and support more closely matched their own, according to a new study entitled “It’s All About Me,” published by LIMRA, a worldwide research, consulting and professional development organization.

Jefferies on Wednesday launched the TR/J CRB Wildcatters Exploration & Production ETF, an exchange-traded fund that tracks the Thomson Reuters/Jefferies CRB Wildcatters Energy E&P Equity Index and trades on NYSE Arca.

Fitch Ratings has revised its ratings on seven money market funds to its highest score, following the launch of its new rating criteria and rating scale.

Financial institutions will increase information technology spending 2.9% in 2010, after cutting budgets by 2.5% in 2009, according to research and consulting firm Celent.

While Bank of New York Mellon Corp. waits for interest rates to rise, the banking company plans to continue to look for ways to control costs this year as it expands its asset management and asset servicing businesses overseas.

In an effort to add assets – and potentially to attract teams of advisors that are leaving large wirehouses – Bridgewater Wealth & Financial Management LLP has joined Focus Financial Partners LLC, a New York-based partnership of independent wealth management companies.

Analysts had expected more companies to bid for Alico, but worries have arisen about how liquid AIG’s units are and how likely it would be to find a buyer.