Investment products

Ignored by the advisor universe, the use of managed futures has staged a comeback.

A defined benefit cash balance plan is ideal for high income business owners.

Once belonging to the likes of farmers and traders, investors now consider the real asset value of market commodities.

Each firm’s respective products will continue under their own brand names.

In what marks the largest outflow activity so far this year, tax-exempt money market funds lost a hefty $5.17 billion and total net assets fell to $306.93 billion for the week ended April 25, according to the Money Fund Report, a service of iMoneyNet.com.

Equity funds saw $3.08 billion in inflows the week ended April 20.

For wealth managers, the big question is this: is the unified managed account a realistic goal that will become a reality over time? Or is it a holy grail that will capture imaginations but remain unrealized, draining resources that would better be spent elsewhere?

Investors tired of miniscule returns from their money market accounts and intrigued by small-cap funds in a variety of industries pumped more than $11.3 billion into diversified U.S. equity mutual funds in the first quarter and more than $14.8 billion into global sector funds.

Waddell & Reed Financial, the Overland Park, Kansas, mutual fund complex, said it earned $45.6 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in the first quarter.

And global sector equity funds saw $14.8 billion in inflows.

Ameriprise will seek a buyer for its independent broker-dealer subsidiary Securities America, while its first quarter earnings report showed positive growth in other areas.

Energy stocks are outperforming their peers in all other sectors through the first four months of the year while tech stocks are lagging behind the pack.

After weathering a dismal 2008, a disastrous 2009 and a decent 2010, things are definitely looking up for hedge funds this year thanks to improving economic conditions around the world and an influx of new capital from institutional investors, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.

The First Command Financial Attitudes Index sinks to its lowest point in two years.

Advisors are struggling to come up with a better retirement income portfolio solution, which we believe we have found. This is not just about dividends. Inflation is a major concern long term that advisors not only need to be aware of when building retirement portfolios but must have an effective portfolio management solution.

The popularity of hedge funds, particularly among institutional investors, propelled total assets under management to a record $2 trillion in the first quarter, according the latest report from Chicago-based Hedge Fund Research Inc.

Rep. John Tierney, D-Mass., plans to soon introduce a bill that would require all new munis to be taxable direct-pay bonds with a 25% federal subsidy rate — a proposal drawing a frosty reception from issuers and underwriters.

KeyBanc Capital Markets doubled its personnel last month by hiring four professionals from Chapdelaine Credit Partners, a bond broker that closed in January.

The Web-based analytical tool allows advisors to compare more than 10,000 mutual funds and ETFs in 60 different categories and formats to help them pick and choose the products that will best meet their clients' individual investment needs.

The purpose of the institute is to provide in-depth investment insights to clients.