Mutual Funds
September 7, 2007
A Brave Nanotech World
Nanotechnology sounds like science fiction... but it's becoming a reality.
By Palash R. Ghosh, S&P; Global Editorial Operations
This broadly defined emerging technology essentially relates to the control of matter on a molecular level where the rules of quantum physics reign. ...
September 6, 2007
Lower Prices at Vanguard for Larger Clients
Shareholder gain could be a pain for planners
By Kathleen M. McBride
For investors who have $100,000 to $1 million-plus at Vanguard, the news is good: reduced costs for brokerage and planning, broader services, and for the highest bracket, access to some mutual ...
Diamonds Among The Junk
By Palash R. Ghosh
High-yield bonds—those fixed income securities rated below investment grade—have some advantages over more vanilla-type bond products. ...
Principled Performance
Nick Kaiser invests Amana’s portfolios according to Islamic principles—and consistently outperforms
By Kathleen M. McBride
Have you looked at clients’ allocations to the financial sector lately? As the equity and bond markets digest years of mortgage and structured securities-related exuberance, investors may wish ...
August 31, 2007
Another Fixed Income Vehicle
Muni Bond ETFs offer transparency and lower fees than bond mutual funds
By Palash R. Ghosh, S&P; Global Editorial Operations, and Alec Young, S&P; International Equity Strategist
In the current climate of high volatility in the equity markets and possible credit loosening by the Federal Reserve, consider ETFs that focus on municipal bonds.
August 23, 2007
FPA Seeks Input on 12b-1 Fees
Planners group also announces sixth annual Financial Planning Week
By Kara P. Stapleton
On August 13 the Financial Planning Association began to poll its members on the issue of mutual fund 12b-1 fees.
August 22, 2007
What's Going On With Money Market Funds?
The father of money funds—Bruce Bent—explains
By Kathleen M. McBride
Is it possible that there’s more risk in money market funds than we thought? How likely is it that some money fund will break the buck, and instead of standing behind the buck, will instead say ...
August 17, 2007
RIAs Are Fastest Growing Distribution Channel
Cerulli research says dually registered advisors setting the pace
By Melanie Waddell
New research by Cerulli Associates says the fastest growing advisor channels are the ones with the most independence, registered investment advisors (RIAs) at the end of 2006. ...
August 15, 2007
New Vehicles Target Munis and Luxury Goods
More ETFs from PowerShares & Claymore
By Kara P. Stapleton
Claymore Securities, Inc. launched the Claymore/Robb Report Global Luxury Index ETF on the New York Stock Exchange. ...
Seeking the Undervalued, But With Potential
Franklin Templeton’s new fund seeks capital appreciation
By Kara P. Stapleton
"We are bargain seekers, looking for the most value wherever we can find it,” said Bill Lippman, president of Franklin Advisory Services, LLC in Fort Lee, New Jersey in a statement announcing ...
August 10, 2007
Brighter Times for Turkey?
Economic stability has fueled a stock-market rally, though risks remain
By S&P; Web Solutions staff
Turkey's stocks are appreciating at a rapid clip. Straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey teeters between Western secular democracy and ancient traditional culture. ...
August 1, 2007
Coming Home to Roost
Lurking problems in CMOs, CDOs, and junk dominate Morningstar Conference
By Kathleen M. McBride
Problems in the subprime fixed-income market played perhaps a larger-than-expected role in presentations and discussions among the experts at Morningstar’s annual Investment Conference.
