Investments

ALPS is launching what it says is the first of its kind variable annuity product. The ALPS|Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio delivers energy infrastructure and MLP-focused investments to the variable annuity market.

A new Franklin Templeton survey found that globally investors are optimistic about 2013, but are still wary of the potential for risk.

U.S. securities regulators are reviewing a proposal that would require the riskiest money-market mutual funds to adopt a floating share price, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Fidelity Investments has rolled out a target volatility strategy, the Fidelity VIP Target Volatility Portfolio. The portfolio seeks to manage total return volatility within a target range.

Municipal bond mutual funds saw inflows into weekly-reporting funds, at $22 million, for the first time in 10 weeks.

Advisors debate the merits of alternative investing for their clients at NAPFA in Las Vegas.

A new study attempts to quantify the very real effect that low interest rates and muted yields in certain asset classes could have on investors' retirement planning.

Fidelity Investments has rolled out a target volatility strategy, the Fidelity VIP Target Volatility Portfolio. The portfolio seeks to manage total return volatility within a target range.

Bruce Karpati, the former national chief enforcement officer of the SEC's asset management unit, has been named chief compliance officer for Prudential Investments.

TIAA-CREF has appointed Robert Leary as executive vice president and president of TIAA-CREF Asset Management, effective June 24, 2013.

During market bubbles a lot of details get overlooked, according to Dawn Bennett. With the Dow hitting a new high of 15,000, we have to ask ourselves – what are we missing? How long can this last?

Legg Mason filed with the SEC yesterday to launch the Western Asset Ultra Short Obligations Fund, which will be sub-advised by its subsidiary, Western Asset Management Company,

WisdomTree filed with the SEC yesterday to register the S&P 500 Managed Distribution Fund. The fund will track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P 500 Managed Distribution Index.

With low rates likely to persist, advisors will have to choose between a low return, currency-hedged, indexed global bond portfolio, or one that incurs greater risk and higher cost in pursuit of larger returns.

Income, safety and international. Those are the key words when it comes to describing the most popular mutual fund categories.

MidAtlantic Trust Company said it had resolved record-keeping problems that have kept exchange-traded funds from being part of holdings in 401(k) and other retirement plans.

MidAtlantic Trust Company said it had resolved record-keeping problems that have kept exchange-traded funds from being part of holdings in 401(k) and other retirement plans.

Principal has filed to launch the Capital Securities Fund in Class S shares.

Daniel Needham has been appointed global chief investment officer for Morningstar Investment Management and managing director for Morningstar Investment Management Europe.

Principal Life Insurance Co. plans to roll out a variable annuity called Principal Lifetime Income SolutionsSM on Aug. 1.