Investments

The pause in the increase in gas prices and a sense that the job market is improving help lift the RBC Consumer Outlook Index 3.8 points to 46.7 in June, up from 42.9 in May. This is the highest level it has ever been at since the financial crisis struck in September 2008.

T. Rowe Price has launched the T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Fund, in anticipation of those investors who would like to diversify away from the U.S. dollar.

Global X Funds has launched the Global X Farming ETF, an exchange-traded fund that focuses on companies involved in agricultural products, livestock operations and the manufacturing of farming equipment.

IndexIQ has launched the IQ Japan Mid Cap ETF, which it says is the first exchange-traded fund focused on Japanese mid-cap equities.

BlackRock's Bob Doll says despite short-term issues in the U.S., the United Kingdom and Japan, there are plenty of intriguing investing opportunities out there for those willing to go the distance.

A vast majority, 86%, of the 800 institutional investors and corporate executives surveyed for BNY Mellon believe there are significant opportunities for stock market growth. However, 58% think there are major downside risks preventing them from taking advantage of those opportunities, the survey, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, found.

A new era in retirement of the unprepared is dawning, as the West’s golden age of pensions comes to an end, according to a report from HSBC Insurance Holdings, “The Future of Retirement: The Power of Planning.”

Investors got downright defensive in next-to-last week of May, moving their money from stocks to bonds and money markets in response to persistent concerns about inflation and the debt crisis in Europe.

Putnam Investments has won a sub-advisor mandate for two fixed income funds from Mackenzie Investments with $1.75 billion in assets under management. The two funds are the Mackenzie Sentinel Corporate Bond Fund and Mackenzie Sentinel Registered North American Corporate Bond Fund.

The difference between non-traded and private REITs depends on the real estate objective. Private REITs are Regulation D private placement offerings, which do not require a public registration filing. The shares can only be purchased by accredited investors and typically offer the potential for larger overall returns.

Matthews International Capital Management has launched the Matthews China Small Companies Fund.

Some financial planners take a strategic approach to REITs while others use them tactically, with some seeking the best of both worlds

A vast majority, 86%, of the 800 institutional investors and corporate executives surveyed for BNY Mellon believe there are significant opportunities for stock market growth. However, 58% think there are major downside risks preventing them from taking advantage of those opportunities, the survey, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, found.

Long-term municipal bond issuance is half of what it was a year ago, with volume down 51% through the end of May versus the same time last year.

FINRA complaint alleges New York-based firm failed to properly vet non-traded REIT and posted misleading returns on its corporate website.

Structured CDs seemed to come out of nowhere. But they quickly became, arguably, the hottest products in the bank channel.

Investors should be keenly aware of the major factors that can diminish long-term returns.

Are exchange-traded funds part of the equation for a truly diversified portfolio?

Annuity products, both fixed and variable, had a good run in the bank channel during the first quarter of 2011.

When it comes to saving for retirement, most Americans have a distorted and potentially disastrous view of just how well they're doing relative to their parents and grandparents.