Special Program Root Tag

Twenty years ago, there was one exchange-traded fund. Last year, 178 new ETFs were created. This year, 28 have been rolled out. The total number of ETFs listed in the United States now: 1,441, according to Lipper.

ALPS is launching what it says is the first of its kind variable annuity product. The ALPS|Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio delivers energy infrastructure and MLP-focused investments to the variable annuity market.

A new Franklin Templeton survey found that globally investors are optimistic about 2013, but are still wary of the potential for risk.

U.S. securities regulators are reviewing a proposal that would require the riskiest money-market mutual funds to adopt a floating share price, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Fidelity Investments has rolled out a target volatility strategy, the Fidelity VIP Target Volatility Portfolio. The portfolio seeks to manage total return volatility within a target range.

Bruce Karpati, the former national chief enforcement officer of the SEC's asset management unit, has been named chief compliance officer for Prudential Investments.

TIAA-CREF has appointed Robert Leary as executive vice president and president of TIAA-CREF Asset Management, effective June 24, 2013.

Legg Mason filed with the SEC yesterday to launch the Western Asset Ultra Short Obligations Fund, which will be sub-advised by its subsidiary, Western Asset Management Company,

WisdomTree filed with the SEC yesterday to register the S&P 500 Managed Distribution Fund. The fund will track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P 500 Managed Distribution Index.

With low rates likely to persist, advisors will have to choose between a low return, currency-hedged, indexed global bond portfolio, or one that incurs greater risk and higher cost in pursuit of larger returns.

Income, safety and international. Those are the key words when it comes to describing the most popular mutual fund categories.

MidAtlantic Trust Company said it had resolved record-keeping problems that have kept exchange-traded funds from being part of holdings in 401(k) and other retirement plans.

Principal has filed to launch the Capital Securities Fund in Class S shares.

Krane Funds Advisors, a New York City based investment firm that focuses on investing in China, is adding three new China ETFs to its line-up.

Daniel Needham has been appointed global chief investment officer for Morningstar Investment Management and managing director for Morningstar Investment Management Europe.

As advisors work to diversify client portfolios, they may need to pay more attention to the percentage devoted to emerging market equities versus emerging market debt.

The active versus passive debate extends beyond the U.S. market to international investing as well, says advisor and Financial Planning contributor, Allan Roth.

Jeff Vinik, in a move that echoes his departure 17 years ago from the Fidelity Magellan Fund, is shutting his hedge fund after making ill-timed bets on gold and the direction of stocks.

Principal Life Insurance Co. plans to roll out a variable annuity called Principal Lifetime Income Solutions on Aug. 1.

UCM Partners, a New York City-based boutique asset manager specializing in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, will be launching the UCM MBS Total Return Fund, its second mutual fund.