Investments

As a client takes distributions, a money manager ultimately becomes more important than asset allocation as the sequence and volatility of market returns rises.

Here is to wishes for a successful New Year for those in the asset management industry and the investors it serves.

Three mutual funds that might do well next year all have one thing in common: they weren’t chosen because they were the absolute top performers in 2011. Instead, they were chosen on the basis of diversification, strong performance, level of risk and cost basis, said S&P Capital IQ mutual fund analyst Todd Rosenbluth.

As we embark on a new year, it may be prudent to consider three different absolute return portfolio strategies that may help achieve returns depending on one's outlook for the global economy.

There are fresh messages about the value of annuities—but don't assume your clients are aware of them yet.

Fresh messages about the value of annuities have started to flow from a variety of sources.

Advisors should tell their clients to think as much about risk management as maximizing returns.

Stocks wrapped up 2011 on a down note Friday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average shaved off 69.48 points to finish the year at 12,217.56. For the year, all the major indices finished basically where they began last January.

Three mutual funds that might do well next year all have one thing in common: they weren’t chosen because they were the absolute top performers in 2011. Instead, they were chosen on the basis of diversification, strong performance, level of risk and cost basis.

Trading on the New York Stock Exchange in the common stock of the parent company of American Airlines will be halted after next Wednesday.

Some encouraging economic news at home and abroad sent U.S. stocks higher Thursday as the Dow Jones Industrial average picked up 136 points to close at 12,287.04.

Investors pulled a net $37.97 billion out of mutual funds in November, according to the latest numbers released today by the Investment Company Institute. Most of the outflows throughout the month came from equity funds and most of the inflows were posted by money market and fixed-income funds.

Even though the year ended with economists pointing to a potential recovery for the U.S. economy, 2011 could be summed up as "The Year of Living Cautiously." Here are the Top 10 investment and financial services stories of the year.

Volatility, the fear of a second worldwide recession, continued aversion to equity funds and uncertainty over Dodd-Frank regulatory fallout—all headlined 2011.

Only 30 stocks comprise the world’s most closely watched index – the Dow Jones Industrial Average – and its daily, weekly, monthly and annual gains (or losses) serve as a very handy – albeit simplistic – snapshot of investor sentiment and a decent barometer of how the U.S. and world economies are fairing.

Weakness in the euro and a report indicating investors are still a bit skittish about the market’s long-term prospects combined to sink U.S. stocks Wednesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 139.94 points, or 1.1%, to finish at 12,151.41.

Beginning Jan. 1, U.S. Savings Bonds will be going digital, saving taxpayers $120 million over the next five years.

U.S. homes are expected to lose more than $681 billion in value during 2011—and while that sounds like a staggering figure, it is 35% less than the $1.1 trillion lost in 2010, Zillow Real Estate Market Reports said.

As 2011 draws to a close, many investors are continuing to seek safety, TrimTabs Investment Research said Wednesday. They are socking most of their money into bank savings accounts and bond funds.

Sometimes it just isn’t your year. And 2011 wasn't the greatest of years for some of the world's most iconic companies, particularly for tech firms such as Cisco Systems and HP that have delivered massive returns to shareholders for years.