Investments

The investors who bailed out Knight Capital Group Inc. by purchasing $400 million in convertible securities are gaining control of the biggest trading partner for individuals in the world’s largest stock market.

Fidelity Investments is reportedly gearing up to make a run at the active exchange-traded fund space, Bloomberg News reports.

The Board of Trustees of the Direxion Shares ETF Trust has decided to liquidate and shutter nine exchange-traded funds due to the funds' inability to attract sufficient investment assets.

The municipal market, sliding leisurely through its slow season, anticipates a slight uptick in issuance the week of Aug. 6. Industry estimates hold that muni bonds expected to be sold during the week should total $6.35 billion, versus a revised $5.93 billion last week. Then, the market waded through a sluggish week in the primary and secondary that did little to yields, which continue to hover near record lows.

On August 6, 2012, The Board of Trustees of the Direxion Shares ETF Trust has decided to liquidate and shutter nine exchange-traded funds due to the funds’ inability to attract sufficient investment assets.

On August 6, 2012, Since the Reserve Primary Fund broke the buck in September 2008, the nation's money market mutual funds have seen a long, steady erosion of their use by corporations and financial institutions.

Investors steered an estimated $17.1 billion into exchange-traded funds and notes in July, bringing their total investment in the products to $93 billion for the year, according to the latest data from the ETF Industry Association.

On August 3, 2012, An arbitration panel has struck down an investor’s $1 million-plus claim against Morgan Keegan’s troubled bond funds, citing the standard industry warning “Past performance is not guarantee of future results.”

Attention, asset managers: The Registered Investment Advisor channel is one place where you can differentiate your offering in a crowded marketplace, according to Cerulli Associates.

As legal eagles-including regulators, cops and attorneys-continue to swoop down for the kill in the wake of the LIBOR debacle, asset managers still struggle to gauge the scandal's impact on their investments.

On August 3, 2012, Fidelity Investments is reportedly gearing up to make a run at the active exchange-traded fund space, Bloomberg News reports.

While still somewhat lackluster, the July jobs report is a strong starting point for growth in equities markets, says Mark Luschini, chief investment strategist at Janney.

With all eyes toward London, one Senator is looking to reward winning athletes with a tax break.

U.S. stocks rallied for the first time this week, commodities gained and Treasuries declined after American payrolls climbed more than forecast in July.

On August 3, 2012, The Hartford Financial Services Group this week reported second quarter mutual funds’ core earnings of $18 million versus $27 million during the same period last year.

On August 3, 2012, Total money market mutual fund assets dipped by $3.95 billion to $2.551 trillion for the week ended Wednesday, August 1, according to data from the Investment Company.

On August 2, 2012, Sentinel Investmentsf chief executive Christian Thwaites yesterday saw four members of his investment team, including Charles Schwartz, Betsy Pecor, Matthew McGeary, and Matthew Spitznagle, walk away from their posts.

Investors steered an estimated $17.1 billion into exchange-traded funds and notes in July, bringing their total investment in the products to $93 billion for the year.

On August 2, 2012, Russell Investments has added three subadvisors to its Strategic Bond Fund (RFCSX), which preivously employed four subadvisors.

On August 2, 2012, AllianceBernstein today reported that its total assets under management were $407.3 billion as of June 30, 2012, down 2.8% from March 31, and down $53.7 billion, or 11.7%, compared to June 30, 2011.