Investments

U.S. exchnage-traded funds assets totaled $1.12 trillion as of May 31 – up 7% year-to-date, according to the ETF Snapshot May 2012 released by State Street Global Advisors.

Mutual funds that invest in alternative types of securities, ranging from commodities to private equity investments, have been hot. But the heat appears to be cooling off.

Mutual funds that invest in alternative types of securities, ranging from commodities to private equity investments, have been hot. But the heat appears to be cooling off.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 143 points to finish at 12,411.23 Monday as investors reacted to more uncertainty in Europe and signs that overall global economic growth continues to slow.

On June 11, 2012, United States ETF assets totaled $1.12 trillion as of May 31 – up 7 percent year-to-date, according to the ETF Snapshot May 2012 released by State Street Global Advisors.

On June 11, 2012, USAA Investments added six target-risk mutual funds to its portfolio.

On June 11, 2012, S&P Capital IQ today unveiled its Global Markets Intelligence group, a new advisory business that provides risk-based non-discretionary equity, fixed income portfolio strategies, asset allocation, and fund review services to asset managers.

On June 11, 2012, Neuberger Berman Group today launched the Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund (NABAX), which bets on a slate of hedge fund managers.

Financial advisors who use a technology that enables them to automate portfolio rebalancing for their clients can shave the process down from 350 hours annually to 100 hours, according to new research released by CEB TowerGroup.

Income annuity sales in the first quarter climbed almost 23% to $2.16 billion from $1.75 billion a year ago. Indexed annuities, meanwhile, increased nearly 9% hitting $8.16 billion.

Global X Funds has filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission for two more ETFs employing the same investment strategy as its GURU ETF, which debuted this week.

The tax-exempt market struggled throughout the week under the weight of heavy new issuance as yields jumped double digits.

The hunt is on for yield in the municipal market as interest rates continue to hover around historical lows, forcing investors to use varying strategies to boost returns.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average moved up 93.24 points to close at 12,554.20 Friday while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 gained 27.40 points and 10.67 points, respectively.

On June 8, 2012, Global X Funds filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission for two more ETFs employing the same investment strategy as its GURU ETF, which debuted this week.

On June 8, 2012, kasina unveiled a new research report looking at how asset management and insurance firms are currently using mobile technologies to interact with their wholesalers and advisors.

On June 8, 2012, PIMCO filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission for another active exchange-traded offering, dubbed the PIMCO Diversified Income Exchange-Traded Fund.

Ever since the merger between alternative investment shop Ramius and investment bank Cowen Group in November 2009, the two firms have been looking at ways to integrate and grow Ramius' hedge funds, fund of funds, real estate and cash management businesses.

Financial services software giant SunGard has launched a service for international fund processing and distribution, as part of its overall SunGard Global Network Funds service.

Customization has proved to catapult hedge fund of funds into the institutional limelight of late for many small pension and endowment plan sponsors. However, asset size and back office capabilities are still major determinants on whether the inherit fees are worth the worries of commitment to the alternatives vehicle.