Investments

The ranks of America's richest investors are growing and so is their optimism, with confidence among global high-net-worth investors reaching pre-crisis highs.

The ranks of America's richest investors are growing and so is their optimism, with confidence among global high-net-worth investors reaching pre-crisis highs.

U.S. mutual fund companies are pushing back against claims that some firms may be too big to fail, saying that subjecting a few large money managers to more regulation would hurt competition and ultimately fund investors.

James E. Stowers Jr., who built a billion-dollar fortune as founder of the American Century Investments mutual fund company, then gave most of it away for medical research, has died.

As fixed-income bets disappoint, multisector bond funds have gained notice. But not all advisors are smitten.

Financial advisors' jobs are among those at risk as computerization threatens the U.S. workforce.

Hedge-fund and mutual-fund firms will face scrutiny of their risk-management practices in a meeting today with the top U.S. derivatives regulator.

Variable annuity net new sales are expected to surge in the coming years after taking a dive in 2012, according to research firm Cerulli Associates.

Vanguard's potential move into active ETFs could be a game changer for the active ETF industry and those that invest in active ETFs, says Christian Magoon, CEO of YieldShares

Going forward, there will be more providers, more users, and more penetration by ETFs in the global market for investment products.

Strong stock markets and the improving economy, along with new alternative investment products and the continuing appeal of ETFs, are boosting prospects for the sector.

Gun-shy and data driven, younger clients can pose a particular challenge. Here are 5 concepts to keep in mind.

Bonds from Puerto Rico's record $3.5 billion general-obligation sale accounted for one-third of the trading volume of the entire $3.7 trillion municipal market on the day of their issue.

Emerging-market stocks headed for the steepest weekly drop since June while currencies weakened amid growing concerns that China's economic slowdown and Russia's standoff with the West will spur capital outflows.

Bill Gross, who runs the world’s biggest bond fund at Pacific Investment Management Co., cut holdings of Treasuries and U.S. government debt in February as turmoil in Ukraine fueled haven demand and investors bet the Federal Reserve will conclude bond purchases this year.

IMCA and CAIA are teaming up to fill in a knowledge gap about alternative investments, offering a new online education program that teaches the basics to the uninitiated.

The variable annuities sector stabilizes as issuers find a balance between provider risk and client protection.

Investors who beat a path out of global equity markets earlier this year are stampeding back in.

Retiree optimism is an encouraging improvement and most likely correlates to a stronger stock market and the prospect of higher interest rates in the future, says Wells Fargo executive.

Family office execs report a rise in direct investments and so-called club deals as hedge funds fall out of favor. ''Families want to be in control," says one consultant.