Investments

The Spectrem Millionaire Investor Confidence Index advanced one point in January to -9, marking the sixth straight month it has been in neutral territory. It declined six points in December.

Delaware Investments has launched the Delaware Macquarie Global Infrastructure Fund in partnership with Macquarie Capital Investment Management, sub-advisor to the fund.

The ETF Council, a new trade organization for exchange-traded funds that will focus on both marketing and lobbying, is set to launch next month.

After the recent massive meltdown it’s no surprise that 81% of registered investment advisory firms and 79% of brokers/advisors believe that traditional asset allocation relying on stocks, bonds and cash provides insufficient portfolio diversification.

The Securities and Exchange Commission voted 4:1 Wednesday to substantially raise the standards for the types of securities that money market funds may hold; to require them to disclose their holdings and net asset value every month; and to have 10% of their assets liquidly available for daily redemptions and 30% weekly.

Fidelity Investments confirmed Wednesday that Charles Goldman, its head of institutional platforms, is leaving the Boston fund company.

The American Institute of CPAs is offering a CPA-oriented guide on Roth IRA conversions now that the old $100,000 income limit for converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA no longer applies.

Survey: RIAs and brokers clamor for more alternative investments

Millionaires retained their neutral stance.

Analysts say BlackRock is positioned to pick up share because of the problems facing its rivals.

The American Institute of CPAs is offering a CPA-oriented guide on Roth IRA conversions now that the old $100,000 income limit for converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA no longer applies.

In 2009, mutual funds netted a total of $377 billion, with $357 billion, or 95% of that going to bond funds. Outflows from U.S. stock funds were $25.7 billion.

Putnam Investments unveiled a new website for its 401(k) plans Monday that keys investors into a monthly retirement income figure, rather than their existing balance or a retirement savings target.

NEW YORK—Putnam Investments unveiled a new website for its 401(k) plans Monday that keys investors into a monthly retirement income figure, rather than their existing balance or a retirement savings target.

New York Life Insurance has secured the rights as the presenting sponsor of the 2010 Big East Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. The men’s championship is taking place March 9-13 at Madison Square Garden, and the women’s games will be held March 5-9 at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn.

In 2009, mutual funds netted a total of $377 billion, with $357 billion, or 95% of that going to bond funds. Outflows from U.S. stock funds were $25.7 billion.

401(k) investors aided by professional investment advice—be it in the form of a target-date default investment, managed accounts or bona fide online advice—earn nearly 2% more (186 basis points) than those who do not receive such help, according to a joint study by Hewitt Associates and Financial Engines.

GuaranteesMatter.com, a microsite from New York Life Insurance, is designed to offer consumers educational and planning materials to help them navigate the changing financial landscape, by showcasing guaranteed products.

Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch Wealth Management unit has launched a new U.S. marketing campaign, “help2retire_____,” to illustrate individuals’ evolving retirement priorities and personal aspirations. Budgeted at $20 million, it launched Monday and is scheduled to run through the end of April on broadcast network and national cable TV, as well as print and online consumer and trade magazines, including sister publication Financial Planning.

Starting March 31, the WisdomTree Japan Total Dividend Fund will be renamed the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund and, while still providing the same equity exposure and using its dividend-weighting methodology, begin to hedge Japanese yen exposure against the U.S. dollar.