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Morningstar has unveiled a medal count for the 106 funds covered under its new Morningstar Analyst Ratings, with five funds garnering Gold; 22 earning Silver, and 39 netting Bronze. Rounding out the rankings, 38 funds receiving Neutral ratings and two received negative.

Custom target-date strategies will hold 22% of 401(k) target-date assets by 2016, or $218 billion, according to research from Cerulli Associates. That will be a nearly four-fold increase from the 2011 asset level of $46.4 billion.

Throughout 2012, high-yield muni funds have seen some of the best total returns among bond funds, with consistent inflows. Still, some industry watchers warn of large risks for the sector.

Consolidated U.S. equity volumes are at four-plus year lows, according to Raymond James Research. Volume in July was 11% down from June and 13% from a year ago.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 42.76 points Friday to end at 13,207.95 while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 added 2.22 points and 3.07 points, respectively.

On August 13, 2012, Somewhere in the world this week, Jeffrey Gundlach is smiling.

On August 13, 2012, Executive Briefings.

On August 13, 2012, The last decade has been rough for the mutual fund industry. This means boards of directors must have the tools for overseeing compliance and take on the oversight.

On August 13, 2012, Setting up a mutual fund in China or India may be appealing to U.S. fund companies because of the growing affluence and high savings rates in those countries. But it is a long and multi-faceted process.

On August 10, 2012, U.S. debt yields put you asleep. But you better be on your toes, with the adventure involved in emerging market bonds.

On August 10, 2012, On August 30, the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration participant fee disclosure rule, dubbed ERISA 404(a)(5), will go into effect.

On August 10, 2012, Equity mutual funds and exchange-traded funds reported net redemptions of $4.1 billion, continuing their roller coaster ride over the past eight weeks, according to data provided by Lipper analyst Matthew Lemieux.

On August 10, 2012, Custom target-date strategies will hold 22% of 401(k) target-date assets by 2016, or $218 billion, according to research from Cerulli Associates. That will be a nearly four-fold increase from the 2011 asset level of $46.4 billion.

UPDATE: Who are the most influential people in our industry? Financial Planning is now accepting nominations for our annual Influencer Awards. We are seeking the most impactful individuals in multiple categories who are leading -- and sometimes pushing -- the industry to higher levels. The awards will recognize practitioners and thought leaders who have made significant contributions to the financial planning profession, from developing innovative portfolio and practice-management solutions to providing leadership for the advisory community.

On August 10, 2012, The Securities and Exchange Commission Friday charged a Florida-based investment manager and his firm for failing to provide SEC examiners with records of a mutual fund advisory business that invested in NASCAR-related stocks.

On August 10, 2012, Morningstar has just unveiled a medal count for the 106 funds covered under its new Morningstar Analyst Ratings, with five funds garnering Gold; 22 earning Silver, and 39 netting Bronze. Rounding out the rankings, 38 funds receiving Neutral ratings and two received negative.

There has been an ongoing discussion surrounding hedge funds and their ability - or lack thereof - to create jobs. Do they really have the capacity to help the job market? And if they do, what jobs are hedge funds producing?

As Morgan Stanley Smith Barney reportedly faces changes ahead for its brokerage unit, including slashing support staff jobs, combining offices and raising production requirements, all eyes turn to how any decisions may affect its advisor force.

FINRA levied almost $40 million in fines in the first half of the year and will likely doll out as much or more through the end of the year.

On August 10, 2012, Janus Capital Group has entered into a strategic alliance with the The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, in which Japan’s third largest life insurer will acquire up to 20% of Janus’s outstanding shares and invest at least $2 billion in Janus investment products