Portfolio

According to a Schwab survey, active traders are more optimistic than they were six months ago, but few think they’ve done enough to protect their portfolios.

The formula employers use for their matching contributions in their 401(k) plans serves as a strong cue to workers for how much to contribute, analysis by The Principal finds.

Equity funds finally stem the bleeding after months of outflows, ICI finds.

The wealth management center features commentary on a variety of financial planning subjects, including information on taxes, planning for retirement and other wealth-related strategies, and a range of investment and wealth management information, planning ideas and tools.

Sponsors would have to disclose a fund’s asset allocation and how that changes over time.

Reductions of 18% to 54% bring total expense caps to 40 basis points to 1.10%.

Issuers in four states have ­accounted for nearly half of the $164 billion of Build America Bonds issued since the ­program’s inception 19 months ago. Municipal market participants say the lopsided ­distribution should be a consideration for investors, but for others the unbalance has limited value in measuring the program’s success.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch introduced a gauge of risk, hedging demand and investment flows, the bank and brokerage firm said, "is designed to help investors identify market risks earlier and more accurately than commonly used risk indicators," such as the Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index, or VIX.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration on Monday proposed disclosures on target-date funds offered in 401(k) plans.

The stock market is on a roll, according to TD Waterhouse’s 2011 Investment Outlook.