Investments

Robert Shearer of BlackRock believes companies that pay dividends have discipline and staying power.

After the economic crisis, VA issuers go back to the basics, designing new products intended to avoid volatility and basis risk.

Crisis may be the new normal for investors, but it's also the stark reality of the communications landscape.

The two Republican members of the Securities and Exchange Commission said they are not opposed to further reform of the money fund industry, but that changes advocated by Chairman Mary Schapiro "were not supported by the requisite data and analysis.''

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

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.

Who would've thunk it?

The ASTON/River Road Independent Value Fund is reopening to new investors starting Sept. 4.

The fee for three of the RiverFront Global Allocation Series mutual funds has been reduced by 0.15% and expenses are now capped at 0.90%.

Samson Capital Advisors is looking to beef up its portfolio with currencies from “strong” nations via its latest offering, the Samson STRONG Nations Currency Fund.

First Trust Advisors has launched an ETF based on the CBOE S&P VIX Tail Hedge Index.

Stephen Barbaro, co-portfolio manager of the Columbia Small Cap Value Fund I, is retiring at the end of the year, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Alternative mutual fund shop Pyxis Funds has hired John Caron as a regional sales director responsible for wholesaling Pyxis (formerly Highland) mutual funds, closed-end funds and alternative investments throughout New England.

Total U.S. mutual fund assets increased by $161.5 billion to $12.338 trillion in July, according to the Investment Company Institute's official survey of the mutual fund industry.

BondDesk Group LLC has appointed former UBS head of municipal trading John Bagley as president and senior managing director of BondDesk Trading.

Many market participants may be on vacation, but there's still interest in municipal bond mutual funds. Flows to muni bond funds rose on the week, keeping their hot streak alive.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 106.77 points Thursday to close at 13,000.71 while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 shed 32.48 points and 11.01 points, respectively.

Scout Investments has expanded its mutual fund lineup with the launch of the Scout Low Duration Bond Fund (SCLDX).

Total U.S. mutual fund assets increased by $161.5 billion to $12.338 trillion in July, according to the Investment Company Institute’s official survey of the mutual fund industry.

Thrivent Asset Management has launched the Thrivent Partner Emerging Markets Equity Fund, which will be subadvised by DuPont Capital Management Corporation.