International funds

The 50 largest asset managers accounted for more than US$38 trillion in assets under management at the end of 2012. This is a full US$4 trillion more than the year before, even as the biggest firms in the industry continue to enlarge, according to The Cerulli Report: Global Markets 2013.

Bloomberg -- Brokers face restrictions on using clients’ assets as collateral for other trades, as part of a push by global regulators to prevent the securities lending market from sparking chain reactions that could cause a crisis.

These are stressful times for the mutual fund industry. An obvious statement, but one authored by a colleague ten years ago. Even more interesting is that the trends cited then are the same concerns that we hear from clients today. So what has changed?

These are stressful times for the mutual fund industry. An obvious statement, but one authored by a colleague ten years ago. Even more interesting is that the trends cited then are the same concerns that we hear from clients today. So what has changed?

In order to tap into fresh sources of capital, non-U.S. fund managers are looking to the U.S. to distribute investment strategies. This raises many issues: choosing the right vehicles for the job, regulatory considerations, and more.

ICI President and CEO Paul Schott Stevens issued a congratulary statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Kara M. Stein and Michael S. Piwowar as Commissioners at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In order to tap into fresh sources of capital, non-U.S. fund managers are looking to the U.S. to distribute investment strategies. This raises many issues: choosing the right vehicles for the job, regulatory considerations, and more.

Bloomberg -- Investment-grade corporate bonds are showing signs of life following the biggest losses since 2008 as concern wanes that a Federal Reserve pullback from record stimulus will cause a surge in interest rates.

Fund sponsors have long debated the relative merits of building, buying or outsourcing fund administration technology. As sponsors face more and more data-driven demands from regulators and investors, there is increased pressure to adopt new efficient technologies for fund administration process such as expense payments and budgeting, regulatory reporting and financial reporting. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the "build, buy or outsource" question a mix of cost pressures, resources, reporting requirements and technological advances have tipped the balance in favor of "buy" and "outsource."

Participants in the 2013 Bank of America Merrill Lynch CFO Outlook Mid-Year Update gave the U.S. economy an average score of 58 out of 100. This figure was up from 49 in the last survey conducted late last year. The global economy received a score of 51, up from 45.

Vanguard’s exchange-traded funds continue to increase in popularity among investors in the United States, the company reported today.

Participants in the 2013 CFO Outlook Mid-Year Update gave the U.S. economy an average score of 58 out of 100. This figure was up f rom 49 in the last survey conducted late last year. The global economy received a score of 51, up from 45.

The Securities and Exchange Commission together with financial regulators of the member states of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) have established supervisory arrangements. This comes as part of a long-term strategy to improve the oversight of certain entities in the asset management industry that operate across national borders.

TrimTabs Investment Research reported today that U.S. equity mutual funds and exchange-traded funds gathered $34.4 billion in July through Wednesday, July 17, which is the second-highest inflow on record, according to the Sausalito, Calif.-based research shop.

AdvisorShares is launching the AdvisorShares Athena International Bear ETF (HDGI) on July 19. HDGI is subadvised by Greenwood Village, Colo.-based AthenaInvest Advisors.

Global assets under management are set to cross the $70.4 trillion mark by the end of 2013, an increase of $20 trillion from 2008, according to new findings from Cerulli Associates.

It looks like Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company will have its day in court come January 2014 to defend itself against a mutual fund lawsuit.

Last month, State Street Global Advisors revealed numerous changes meant to modify its core teams in the traditional asset space.

One of China's biggest asset managers is looking to bring China and Asia-focused mutual funds to U.S. institutional and retail investors.

BlackRock this week finalized its buy of Credit Suisse's exchange traded funds business, in a move that makes BlackRock's iShares platform the largest in the region.