Investment funds

Two studies from Morningstar dive into the subtleties across the various categories of funds and the sources of the gap between actual and total investment returns.

A vast majority of plan sponsors say that actively managed funds can beat the market, according to a new BlackRock survey. Research suggests otherwise.

Older Americans hold a higher allocation of stocks than they would like, according to the Center for Retirement Research. Researchers say that could be a positive, though not all advisors agree.

Private assets promise potentially greater returns and more diversification for investors, but financial advisors say their opaque and illiquid nature makes them less than ideal for most 401(k) plan participants.

Panelists at the Morningstar conference acknowledged the difficulties, even as they pointed out the ongoing opportunities from active management.

Impact investment through municipal bonds is generally perceived as risky. But it doesn't have to be that way.

A new TIAA Institute survey found that a vast majority of 401(k) plan participants are interested in accessing fixed annuities through their retirement accounts. Plan providers are listening.

The industry is awaiting SEC approval for dozens of applications, even as Vanguard's shareholder case highlights some of the tax complexity of the looming shift.

Net of expenses, many financial advisors and investors could find similar yields and exposure for their portfolios elsewhere, according to a Morningstar study.

With the industry awaiting the regulator's looming actions, the index fund giant is seeking to apply its dual share class structure to actively managed strategies.