Fund performance

The financial services industry has been pulling in solid profits lately, but experts say firms should be mindful about how they dole out year-end bonuses and to keep the focus on rewarding long-term performance.

The U.S. economy is well on its way to recovery, according to most mutual fund CIOs, and just about all the economic charts show key growth criteria improving, barring an unexpected jolt.

Rather than being discouraged from saving as a result of the financial crisis, the market's 2008 decline and falling home values, these events have spurred more people into action. Seventy-five percent of 1,002 people surveyed by TDAmeritrade said one of their resolutions for 2010 will include a financial goal. Driving this figure overwhelmingly are minorities, with 56% of Hispanics and African Americans saying money-related issues will be one of their 2010 resolutions, compared with 32% of Whites.

Among the nominees for Morningstar’s Fund Manager of the Decade, a new award program that recognizes performance, perseverance and shareholder dedication, are managers from Fidelity, PIMCO, Oakmark and American Funds.

Continued contributions to 401(k)s and a 34% rally in the S&P 500 in the second and third quarters have propped up average balances quite strongly, Fidelity found in an analysis of the 11 million individual 401(k) accounts it serves.

The Department of Defense is now making Morningstar investment research available to all 6.5 million military personnel and their families. Previously, only members of the U.S. Navy had this access, beginning in 2002.

Although investors have continued to overwhelmingly favor bond funds over equity funds—taxable bond funds have netted $200 billion in inflows so far this year compared with a scant $4.3 billion to equity funds—their risk tolerance has remarkably changed.

Asset managers evidently are optimistic about renewed growth in assets under management, with 47% saying they plan to expand their full-time product management staff over the next 12 months, FUSE Research Network found in surveys conducted over the past two months. However, since 80% said they laid off staff over the past year, employment levels are not likely to return to pre-crisis levels anytime soon.

Despite the financial services industry's downsizing, New York Life Investments is building up a sales force to target the defined contribution market.

The addition of non-managed assets to a unified managed account could be the next step in the product's evolution, but some industry providers are skeptical whether the interest in stock-picking right now is enough for this enhancement to take off.

PALM BEACH, Fla. - Most 401(k) and other defined contribution plan administrators and sponsors like the automatic enrollment feature in the retirement savings plans they manage because it gets more people saving earlier, but the involuntary nature of these plans does not diminish the burdens they place on administrators to run them.

After retreating from higher-risk instruments over the past year following the blow-up of the Reserve Funds’ Primary Fund, money market funds are again turning to longer-term, higher-yield instruments. With yields near zero and a lack of high-quality short-term securities on the market, money fund managers are willing, once again, to assume more risk.

Despite the fact hedge funds have staged a remarkable about-face this year, last year’s negative returns are dragging many hedge funds below their high water mark, according to Hedge Fund Research.

Fidelity Investments has introduced “Insight & Outlook,” actionable market analysis for financial advisers and broker/dealers on its custody and correspondent clearing platform. The program is designed to help these advisers better manage and grow with businesses.

Throughout 2009, DST Systems, Inc. has celebrated 40 years of providing market-leading solutions to the mutual fund industry. In recognition of this milestone, Money Management Executive asked DST's senior leadership to identify ways investment management companies can maximize the value they deliver to their stakeholders by leveraging the strengths and resources of a service provider.

Plan sponsors are becoming more aggressive about helping their workers save for retirement, and even investment advice is now commonly offered, Hewitt Associates found in a survey of 300 mid- and large-sized companies.

Last week's Supreme Court case has once again brought mutual fund fees to the national spotlight, but a decision by the court might not come for several months, if it comes at all. And judging from the justices' comments, they appear reluctant to get involved in the day-to-day workings of fund companies and more inclined to trust the judgment of fund boards, the purview of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the workings of the free market.

Hedge funds dipped 0.5% in October but bested the S&P 500’s 2% drop and Nasdaq’s 3.6%, Hennessee Group said.

For money market fund advisors and investors, help on yields is seen on the way.

Some say that character is revealed by what you do when no one is looking. This may be true for an individual, but for leaders within organizations, I contend that perhaps character is revealed by what you do when everyone is looking. When the heat is on. When challenges abound. When resources are scarce, competition is fierce, and failure is a possibility.