Portfolio

BOSTON - Like gambling addicts who just need one more big win before they cash out, millions of Baby Boomers on the verge of retirement took extremely risky bets with their life savings, hoping to score that big jackpot that would make up for all their past mistakes.

Hedge funds were dogged by steep, albeit somewhat smaller, redemptions in January, HedgeFund.net reported. At positive 0.2%, performance also improved somewhat. Meanwhile, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 8% in January.

Fidelity Investments continues to do a smart job of marketing in this tough economy with the recommendations in the February edition of its Investor’s Quarterly magazine.

FINRA has fined two Wachovia units $4.5 million for failing to pass along breakpoint and rollover discounts for mutual fund and unit investment trust purchases, as well as for suitability violations and inadequate supervisory procedures.

PIMCO has launched the PIMCO Unconstrainted Tax Managed Bond Fund, an actively managed fixed income fund that will invest across all investment classes.

Genworth Financial Wealth Management has selected State Street Global Advisors to run six of its tactical asset allocation portfolios using exchange-traded funds.

ProFunds Group has hired Joanne M. Hill as head of investment strategy. In this new role at the exchange-traded fund shop, Hill is responsible for research, development and execution of investment strategies.

Putnam Investments announced Wednesday it will lay off 260 people, or about 10% of its staff, on Thursday, Dow Jones reports. Most of the people being let go work in distribution or operations, but a few are in sales.

Due to the tremendous amount of money that high-net-worth and 401(k) investors have that needs to be put to work, the asset management industry will survive and thrive, despite the current gravitation to conservative investments amid the market turmoil.

More states are offering conservative options in their 529 plans, some, such as Utah, even now including FDIC-insured savings accounts. Unlike other states’ bank-deposit products, Utah doesn’t require a minimum contribution.