Mutual funds

On August 1, 2012, BlackRock's Canadian subsidiary has launched five new exchanged-traded funds designed to offer Great North investors exposure to domestic, international, developed and emerging markets while minimizing volatility.

Perhaps it was only a matter of time before Morningstar decided to put its stamp of approval, and disapproval, on alternative mutual funds.

Exchange-traded funds are the ultimate better mousetrap. But despite all the benefits they offer, there are some risks as well, partly because institutional investors have rushed in. Are they right for your clients?

Taking a look at Lipper's table that tracks mutual funds' expenses.

On July 31, 2012, Gemini Fund Services has promoted Andrew Rogers to chief executive officer and Kevin Wolf to president. The promotions became effective in the second quarter.

On Julr 31, 2012, Kate Healy has been named the new managing director of marketing for TD Ameritrade Institutional, responsible for the development of marketing strategies and focusing on the independent registered investment advisors channel.

Mutual fund sub-advisor F-Squared Investments will sub-advise on the newly launched Reliance Trust AlphaSector Target Risk Collective Trust Funds, which is aimed at 401(k) plan sponsors and participants.

On July 31, 2012, John (Jack) Bogle, founder of The Vanguard Group, Inc., has a new gig.

The combined assets of the nation's mutual funds increased by $208.5 billion, or 1.7%, to $12.171 trillion in June, according to data from the Investment Company Institute.

Sy Sacks is on a crusade. He believes the costs of putting together and operating a mutual fund aren't being shared equally. And he wants to do something about it.

Sy Sacks is on a crusade.

Mirae Asset Global Investments has appointed Howard Atkinson as the Global Head of ETF Sales and Marketing. Atkinson is currently the president of Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc., a subsidiary of MAGI.

On July 30, 2012, Investment consulting shop Segal Rogerscasey today unveiled a new website, which hosts merged and updated content from the legacy firms (Segal Advisors acquired the business of Rogerscasey earlier this year).

On July 30, 2012, Consulting shop Callan Associates is making its Callan Target Date Index publicly available to defined contribution plan sponsors, target date managers and plan participants via an interactive tool, which evaluates how their target date fund performed against all others in the glidepath universe.

On July 30, 2012, Fort Lauderdale, Fl.-based Hansberger Global Investors, Inc. has pulled the plug on its Emerging Markets Fund, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

The combined assets of the nation’s mutual funds increased by $208.5 billion, or 1.7%, to $12.171 trillion in June, according to data from the Investment Company Institute.

On July 30, 2012,Chicago-based RiverNorth Capital Management is prepping the launch of another open-end mutual fund, the Dynamic Buy-Write Fund.

In a review of the mutual fund and ETF market, Cerulli gave a few reasons for the value funds reaching these heights, but also cited a few caution signs for advisors to note.

On July 30, 2012, The starter's pistol is about to be fired for the swaps industry.

Janus Capital Group Inc. this week reported second quarter net income of $23.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared with net income of $41.9 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in the second quarter 2011.