Portfolio

More money is chasing fewer coupons. Bargains are going fast.

Encouraged by strengthening fundamentals, ETF investors are riding calculated risks to fatter returns.

On April 30, 2012, Calabas, Calif.-based Rocky Peak Capital Management, LLC unveiled its first mutual fund.

On April 30, 2012, Perritt Capital Management changed the name of its Perritt Emerging Opportunities Fund.

On April 30, 2012, Principal Funds added three new hires to its I-O team.

The implementation of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 started the process of "decoupling" between the Federal estate tax and various states. As the years moved forward, many states retained a $1 million estate tax exemption amount, decoupling their exemption from the Federal amount that has ultimately risen to its current $5 million level. However, the reality is that a second decoupling just occurred in 2011, and as a result, a new state estate tax planning "loophole" has opened up, creating a planning opportunity for many clients, but only until the states close the loophole.

On April 30, 2012, Prudential Annuity has unveiled two new asset allocation portfolios and two new sub-advisors.

Revenue from the sale of investment and life insurance services at banks and credit unions increased 10% in 2011, led by a significant boost in advisory services.

On April 30, Dow Jones said it was named the “Most Innovative ETF Index Provider” for the Americas region at the 8th Annual Global ETF Awards.

The big guns -- from PIMCO to State Street -- are now squaring off in one of the tiniest slices of the fund business. But it's not clear yet if there will be a payoff.