Industry

Morningstar announced Thursday is has acquired Fundamental Data Ltd. of the UK, a closed-end fund data provider based in London, for $19 million, subject to post-closing adjustments.

Following Bank of America’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch, the latter’s chairman and chief executive officer, John Thain, will reportedly remain with the merged entity as head of global banking, securities and wealth management.

When Wachovia Corp. completes the sale of its banking operation to Citigroup Inc., it plans to remain a public company with two main subsidiaries—Wachovia Securities, the nation's third-largest brokerage, and its proprietary investment arm, Evergreen Asset Management.

Evergreen Investments announced Tuesday that its parent, Wachovia Corp., will purchase Lehman Brothers debt held in three of its money market mutual funds: the Evergreen Money Market Fund, Evergreen Institutional Money Market Fund and Evergreen Prime Cash Management Fund.

Private equity firms Bain Capital Partners and Hellman & Friedman acquired Neuberger Berman Monday for $2.15 billion, with the two firms holding equal positions in Neuberger, the firm’s portfolio managers given a “significant stake” and the deal expected to close early next year.

Many hedge funds will have trouble retaining top managers next year, thanks to terrible market performance across the board and a reward system based on that performance, The Wall Street Journal reports. To retain talent, they will have to tap into profits. Otherwise, they will have to close shop.

Putnam's Investment Chief Cronin Stepping Down

Sallie Krawcheck, the chief executive officer and chairman of Citi Global Wealth Management, is set to leave the firm, according to a statement from Citigroup, the parent company.

FRC Founder Bathon Forms New Company

Jeffrey Gundlach, chief investment officer of TCW Group, ticked off a host of cataclysmic forecasts for the financial services industry in a client conference call Wednesday that he titled “No Market for Old Men,” MarketWatch reports.