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The Securities and Exchange Commission unanimously voted Tuesday to require large trading firms to identify themselves, so their market activities can be tracked.

With about 25% of U.S. company results posted for the second quarter, most have exceeded estimates and have improved sales. Industrial production and consumption are also rebounding, leading BlackRock's Bob Doll to project stronger economic growth in the second half of 2011.

The Securities and Exchange Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to require large traders to register and to share more information. The rule, yet another measure in response to the Flash Crash of May 2010, will take effect in 60 days, with traders given an additional two months to begin registering.

There are two gigantic economic crises weighing heavily on the minds of investors and government leaders right now: the raising of the debt ceiling and the risk to the country’s venerable AAA sovereign debt rating. But one UBS strategist believes all this anxiety and posturing will likely amount to much ado about nothing.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index improved slightly in July, rising 1.9 points from the previous month to 59.5 (1985=100). As well, the Expectations Index ticked up 3.8 points to 75.4. However, the Present Situation Index decreased by 0.9 points to 35.7.

The State Street Investor Confidence Index for July inched up 2.2 points to 101.1, State Street Global Markets reported Tuesday. However, in North America, the index fell 1.3 points to 99.2.

Financial planners become successful through a fierce commitment to building their practices. But too few principals proactively plan for when -- and how -- they will one move on. To avoid being unprepared when the time comes, here's an interactive slideshow outlining some of the key steps in the succession planning process.

While many asset managers continue to fail to connect meaningfully with registered investment advisors, many are turning to such digital media as micro websites, social media and mobile applications, according to a new report from Financial Research Corp., “Winning Strategies for Marketing and Distributing to the RIA.”

Advisers are more confident than they have been since January, but they are still concerned over the disconnect in the marketplace, according to The Advisor Confidence Index (ACI), a benchmark that gauges advisor views on the U.S. economy and stock market.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has a message for investors considering lesser-understood investments as an alternative to traditional fixed-income and equity investments: caveat emptor.