Portfolio

Although investors have continued to overwhelmingly favor bond funds over equity funds—taxable bond funds have netted $200 billion in inflows so far this year compared with a scant $4.3 billion to equity funds—their risk tolerance has remarkably changed.

Asset managers evidently are optimistic about renewed growth in assets under management, with 47% saying they plan to expand their full-time product management staff over the next 12 months, FUSE Research Network found in surveys conducted over the past two months. However, since 80% said they laid off staff over the past year, employment levels are not likely to return to pre-crisis levels anytime soon.

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.