Fund performance

If much of human nature comes down to a struggle between greed and fear, then the mutual fund industry is proving itself very human, at least in regards to creating exchange-traded funds.

SAN FRANCISCO-Mutual funds had no idea in 2008 of what to do in a major bear market, according to W.H.C. Bassetti.

When 2008 began, a record $12.0 trillion was held in mutual funds by individuals and institutions.

Two firms—Legg Mason (LM) and American Century Investments—both reported assets under management that showed assets growing, and in one case, reaching an all-time high.

Equity mutual fund investors pulled $1.3 billion from their accounts (their fifth straight week of outflows), while equity ETF investors made a U-turn from the previous week’s withdrawal numbers and added a $12.1 billion to their accounts for the week ended Sept. 12.

ETF managed portfolios—those that typically have more than 50% of portfolio assets invested in ETFs—are one of the fastest-growing segments of the managed account sector, according to a newly released Morningstar report.

Long-term mutual funds took in $3.11 billion for the week ended Wednesday, September 5, according to the Investment Company Institute.

The Triex Tactical Long/Short Fund, a separate series of the Northern Lights Fund Trust, is shutting down on September 27.

The departure of Chief Executive Officer Mark Fetting from embattled money manager Legg Mason has the firm reshuffling its top management in the face of a looming face-off with hedge fund manager Nelson Peltz of Trian Fund Management.

Herb Morgan has a good barometer to tell how hot the market for exchange-traded funds is getting.

Dimensional Fund Advisor has made its way onto Paychex’s Open Fund Select and Advisor Select platforms. Paychex provides of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing services, including 401(k) plan recordkeeping, for small- to medium-sized businesses.

As the asset management industry evolves, innovative product options are being introduced to compliment traditional pooled vehicles.

Now you can say it is so: Abigail Johnson last month was named president of Fidelity Investments and, effectively, successor to her father, Edward "Ned" Johnson, chief executive officer of Fidelity Investments.

Herb Morgan has a good barometer to tell how hot the market for exchange-traded funds is getting.

Theresa Hamacher was named to her current position as president of NICSA (the National Investment Company Service Association) in March 2008.

The $5.5 billion Franklin Templeton Founding Funds Allocation last week got a Negative rating from research shop Morningstar.

Global assets invested in exchange-traded funds and exchange-traded products reached a record $1.76 trillion through the end of August 2012.

Can it possibly be? Technology stocks are paying the most dividends?

The pullout from domestic stock funds continued last week, to the tune of $3.7 billion. But bond funds got another big influx.

As investing in alternatives such as real estate, private equity funds, hedge fund strategies and commodities grow in popularity, the way these are being used by institutions and investment advisors is changing.