Portfolio

ING Investment Management executives are more optimistic about the prospects of the U.S. economy and equities than many other financial forecasters.

Phoenix has introduced two fixed annuities, the Phoenix Index Select and Phoenix Index Select Bonus annuities. Both are single-premium annuities designed to be simpler than other products on the market, carrying a 10-year surrender charge, guaranteed principal protection and three optional guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit riders investors can use to meet their individual income requirements. The bonus annuity offers an upfront 5% premium.

IndexIQ has introduced the first merger arbitrage exchange-traded fund, the IQ ARB Merger Arbitrage ETF. The fund will invest in global companies that an acquirer has announced it will acquire through a “merger arbitrage.” Thus, the fund will try to take advantage of any price differentials between the current price of a stock and the expected value when the deal is completed.

Sensing that the recession is nearing an end but that the recovery will be a long road ahead, Americans are planning drastic changes to the way they approach money, saving and investing, with 18% planning to save more, Country Financial found in a survey of 3,000 people.

ING’s U.S. retirement services division has formed a new business development team dedicated to serving college and university 403(b) funds.

Best Fund Managers Consider Macroeconomic Trends, Time Market

McCann Hires Merrill Vets To 'Renew' UBS Wealth

Despite the financial services industry's downsizing, New York Life Investments is building up a sales force to target the defined contribution market.

The addition of non-managed assets to a unified managed account could be the next step in the product's evolution, but some industry providers are skeptical whether the interest in stock-picking right now is enough for this enhancement to take off.

PALM BEACH, Fla. - Almost a year after new rules governing 403(b) retirement plans for educational and non-profit workers were supposed to take effect, plan sponsors, vendors and third-party administrators are still struggling to comprehend the myriad of changes.