Investments

The time has come to create the position of chief data officer to manage the tidal wave of data-based regulations and reporting and implement a concrete data strategy - both to meet requirements but also more effectively make investment decisions and streamline back-, middle- and front-office operations.

Credit markets are getting a second wind, thanks to a Federal Reserve that’s suddenly not as confident the economy is strong enough to weather a steady rise in interest rates.

See the returns, expense ratios and other data for the available domestic dividend growth ETFs -- including three new ETFs based on new indexes from Morningstar, Russell, and S&P Dow Jones.

The Federal Reserve opened the door to an interest rate increase as soon as June, while also indicating it will pursue a slower upward path once it achieves liftoff.

More workers than ever are staying on the job well into their seventies, which will make the U.S. a "very different place" for the next 30 years; Plus, Why an empty nest can be hazardous to a client's retirement.

Scott Mather, who replaced Bill Gross as one of the portfolio managers of the Pimco Total Return Fund, has been buying government-backed bonds, helping boost its total mortgage allocation to 30% on Jan. 31 from 20% in September.

ETFs continue to be dominated by three big players: BlackRock’s iShares, Vanguard Group, and State Street, which collectively control 82% of the roughly $2 trillion invested in ETFs.

A study by S&P Dow Jones Indices -- which clearly has a horse in the race -- says clients will profit more from buying a fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 index than one tracking the Russell 2000.

BlackRock’s iShares, Vanguard Group and State Street collectively control 82% of the roughly $2 trillion invested in ETFs -- but other funds are gaining market share. Here's a ranking of the fastest-growing funds.

Are you likely to change your job? Is your spouse unemployed? Do you expect non-taxable income when you retire? These reasons and more for why you might need an individual retirement account.

How advisors can use 1099s to help address investment reporting issues that clients may have overlooked.

Advisors have gotten better at evaluating target date funds, says James Lauder, CEO of Global Index Advisors. But it remains difficult, he adds, because a uniform benchmark approach toward target date funds isn't available.

More than half posted gains that exceeded benchmark indexes in 2015 through March 6, for their best start to a year since 2012. But the S&P 500, up 1.1% this year through Monday, is poised for its worst first quarter since 2009.

According to a Fundstrat Global Advisors survey of 3,265 funds, more than half posted gains that exceeded benchmark indexes in 2015 through March 6, for their best start to a year since 2012.

Help make sure your clients aren't among those who say they wish they had saved more, or started at an earlier age. Plus, questions over the proposed revamp of Medicare payments to long-term-care hospitals.

Big names in the bond industry have lent their names to actively-managed ETFs, betting their reputations will translate into investor interest. But active management's recent record against index funds makes it a tough sell for some.

The total amount of outstanding municipal securities and loans in the market rose 0.6% to $3.65 trillion in the fourth quarter of last year, as U.S. bank muni holdings increased 2.5% and mutual fund muni holdings rose to a record high $658 billion.

Instead of a broad stock index, should advisors consider ETFs weighted by dividend payments?

Even after defaults, high-yield bonds have earned above-market returns.

As the Federal Reserve prepares to raise interest rates, exchange-traded funds designed to protect bond portfolios from the fallout are likely to see big inflows.