Mutual funds

A federal judge has dismissed a Texas community bank's case against key parts of the Dodd-Frank Act, arguing the institution, as well as the 11 states and two conservative groups backing it, have no legal ability to challenge the 2010 financial reform law.

Highland Capital Management had a rough ride after the 2008 crisis, logging four years of outflows from its funds. In June 2012, ING and Ivy funds alum, Brad Ross, was brought onboard as president.

Vanguard launched its My Classroom Economy program in March 2011 and as of June 2013, it had reached an estimated 1,320 schools in 44 states, assisting 1,760 teachers in providing a personal financial literacy education to 61, 750 students.

Research conducted by ING U.S. underscores the growing role that retirement income planning continues to play in the readiness levels of working Americans. The study, Retirement Income Redefined, highlights some potential discrepancies in retirement planning ideologies and practices, and reinforces how retirement is being fundamentally redefined.

One of the leading contenders to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, Lawrence Summers, has been a paid consultant to Citigroup and other financial institutions. Opponents of his nomination are sure to seize upon this.

While the regulatory reform effort is likely to continue on its current path if Janet Yellen, the Federal Reserve Board's vice chairman, is tapped to lead the central bank, the future is decidedly murkier if Larry Summers wins the post.

Emerging market funds are battered, but there's a strong argument for staying the course.

LPL Financial Holdings reported the strongest quarter in the company’s nearly three years as a public company, with net revenues topping $1 billion for the first time. LPL’s board of directors also announced the company’s quarterly dividend would be raised 40% to 19 cents per share.

Earlier this month, Nuveen Asset Management revealed that its Chief Equity Strategist and Senior Portfolio Manager Bob Doll will be taking on a new slate of equity funds including traditional, specialty and alternative funds.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management has launched a new communications program designed to deliver a simplified explanation of its SmartRetirement series of target date funds. Animation and infographics support the easy-to-understand terminology.

The Federal Reserve has made it clear that short-term rates are on lockdown until the unemployment rate drops from its current 7.6% to 6.5%. That gives ammo to money managers who say "cash is trash." A federal funds rate stuck near zero means cash will continue to deliver negative real returns for some time.

Raymond James Financial launched Portfolio Management Center, a portfolio management and research tool for its employee and independent-channel advisors.

Fidelity Investments surveyed customers with at least $250,000 in investable assets and the outcome was positive.

Participants in the 2013 Bank of America Merrill Lynch CFO Outlook Mid-Year Update gave the U.S. economy an average score of 58 out of 100. This figure was up from 49 in the last survey conducted late last year. The global economy received a score of 51, up from 45.

The members of Generation Y, also known as "millennials," have vastly different backgrounds and expectations than the generations before them. Today's 20-somethings can't remember a time without smartphones or the ability to access the information most important to them whenever they need it. It would be easy for some mutual fund managers to assume that millennials lack the same mindset or appetite for risk when it comes to investing and saving than previous generations, and view attracting them to mutual funds as a Herculean task. However, both of these assumptions are false. If managers embrace the technology and engagement with companies they trust that millennials have grown up with, they can successfully grow their assets by appealing to this relatively untapped investor base.

Global Expansion Keeps CFOs Optimistic Participants in the 2013 Bank of America Merrill Lynch CFO Outlook Mid-Year Update gave the U.S. economy an average score of 58 out of 100. This figure was up from 49 in the last survey conducted late last year. The global economy received a score of 51, up from 45.

Since 2008, investors have sought new investment strategies less affected by market downturns. At the same time, many hedge fund managers who survived the collapse with positive returns are looking to expand their offerings to the retail market. Adding budget cuts and new regulations to the mix creates a recipe for potential problems.

Legg Mason announced that it has appointed Dennis M. Kass, an industry veteran, as non-executive Chairman of the Board.

Hedge fund managers now no longer have to hide behind their websites because they are free to advertise openly to investors who meet their investment requirements courtesy of President Obama's JOBS Act

Highland Capital Management had a rough ride after the 2008 crisis, logging four years of outflows from its funds. In June 2012, ING and Ivy funds alum, Brad Ross, wasbrought onboard as president.