Mutual funds

NYSE Euronext said it would focus on its “standalone strategy,’’ while Deutsche Boerse declared this a ‘black day’ after the European Commission prohibited the merger of the two exchange operators.

Custom target date funds are proliferating at the expense of their off-the-shelf counterparts. That’s due to plan sponsors wanting to have greater control over what’s in a fund.

The 10-year outlook for the global stock market is likely to be attractive despite elevated market volatility, below-average growth projections and short-term interest rates around 0% in the U.S., according to the latest research from mutual fund manager Vanguard.

The 10-year outlook for the global stock market is likely to be attractive despite elevated market volatility, below-average growth projections and short-term interest rates around 0% in the U.S. That’s according to the latest research from mutual fund manager Vanguard.

Bennett Group Financial Services launched four mutual funds available through financial professionals, banks, brokerages and insurance companies for their clients. The new additions are the Bennett Conservative Fund; Bennett Moderate Fund; Bennett Growth Fund; and Bennett Aggressive Growth Fund.

Investment Guidance Solutions introduced a software tool for mutual fund investing, that gives buy or sell signals based on whether it is better to be invested in a specific fund or in cash.

Investment Guidance Solutions introduced a software tool for mutual fund investing, that gives buy or sell signals based on whether it is better to be invested in a specific fund or in cash.

Bennett Group Financial Services (BGFS) announced the launch of four mutual funds currently consisting of A shares available through financial professionals, banks, brokerages and insurance companies for their clients. The new additions are the Bennett Conservative Fund; Bennett Moderate Fund; Bennett Growth Fund; and Bennett Aggressive Growth Fund.

Fidelity Investments Institutional Services has been rebranded as Fidelity Financial Advisor Solutions. Lynne A. Goldman, its senior vice president for investment product management and development, talked with MME about how the business helps advisers help investors.

Affiliated Managers Group reports that for the fourth quarter of 2011, Economic earnings per share were $1.76, compared to $2.02 for the same period of 2010, while diluted earnings per share for Q4 of 2011 were $0.77, compared to $1.18 for the same period of 2010.

As voters in Florida head to the polls Tuesday to decide who will take on President Obama in November, you can bet many will be have another kind of change in mind. On average, the S&P 500 has improved 14% in the fourth year of a Democratic administration. But this year could be much different, based on statistics so far for the Obama term.

The assets of the nation’s mutual funds were flat in December, gaining $12.3 billion. That worked out to a gain of one-tenth of a percent, for an industry that has $11.6 trillion in combined assets.

Hancock Holding Company announced that the Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, that uses investment research produced by university students, has received a five-star overall rating from Morningstar.

U.S. Retirement Market Projected to Hit $22 Trillion by 2016 The U.S. retirement market is projected to grow to nearly $22 trillion by 2016. That represents a 38% increase from an estimated $16 trillion mark for the end of 2011, due mostly to continuing market recovery.

Direxion Funds said it is is making modifications to its line of “buy and hold” alternative strategies, effective February 1, 2012.

Hancock Holding Company announced that the Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, celebrating its tenth anniversary, has received a five-star overall rating from Morningstar.

$10 billion of equities change hands each day in the United States. $4 trillion of currency changes hands each day, globally. Which asset do you want to trade in?

Custom target date funds are beginning to proliferate at the expense of their off-the-shelf counterparts.

State Street to Develop Actively Managed ETFs; Investors (Again) Lose Faith in U.S. Equity Funds; Citi, Research Affiliates Expanding Bond Indices

T. Rowe Price Group reported its fourth quarter 2011 results, including net revenues of $671.6 million, net income of $188.4 million, and diluted earnings per common share of $.73.