Most analysts see scant damage from fiscal cliff
Market prices should have little to do with the taxes paid on gains because prices are largely “being determined by tax-exempt investors and by foreign investors,” said Eric Toder,...
Expect “relief rally” in January: Prudential
Stocks are likely to rebound on the heels of a “fiscal cliff” resolution, predicts John Praveen of Prudential International Investments Advisers, LLC.
DTCC issues 3Q 2012 annuity report
Compared to Q2 2012, inflows in the third quarter were down $4.4 billion and out flows were down $6.7 billion, resulting in an increase in net cash flows of...
Guardian identifies four investing “personalities”
Guardian has identified four different retirement styles or personalities: The Connector, The Analyst, The Seeker and The Adventurer.
VA sales likely to end 2012 down 8%: Morningstar
But Prudential, Jackson National, TIAA-CREF, Lincoln Financial, SunAmerica/VALIC, and AXA Equitable all sold slightly more VAs in the first three quarters of 2012 than in the same period in...
Public pensions in Puerto Rico face possible insolvency
The main fund, which serves about 250,000 government workers, current and retired, is only 6% funded and could run out of money as soon as 2014. Another fund, for...
What affluent business owners are thinking: Merrill Lynch survey
Only 39% of business owners worked on a succession plan with a management consultant, personal financial advisor, or commercial banker, and only 33% have worked on a retirement plan.
Rising Treasury prices are worrisome: BMO Private Bank
The difference in yield between two-year and 10-year U.S. Treasury notes has been shrinking, BMO says. Recessions are associated with zero difference between the two.
Lithuania struggles to finance its public pensions
The current level of contributions to the 'second-pillar' is 1.5% of salary, and it should increase to 2.5% in 2013. The new laws will reduce contributions to 2% of...
The Tax Deferral on Savings: Endangered or Not?
Although the 401(k) industry is gearing up to defend its tax-favored status, it’s not clear that the White House or Congress is determined to take it away.
Judge rules for participants in ERISA suit
In an ERISA fiduciary suit brought by 401k plan participants, a Minnesota judge has denied most of the motions by the attorneys for the plan sponsor, Ameriprise Financial, to...
For investors, it’s been a very good year
Equity and fixed income funds appreciated by $1 trillion through October, according to the latest report from Strategic Insight.
“Quote” of the Week
"Intelligence is knowing what to do when you don't know what to do"--Anonymous.
Solvency II could kill many British DB plans, officials say
British pension officials and executives are afraid the cure for their problems, as prescribed by Solvency II, would be worse than the disease.
New York Life reports 16% annuity sales growth in 3Q 2012
Overall, the company announced strong third quarter gains in sales of life insurance, annuities and mutual funds, as well as an increase in agent new hires in the first...
Bull run
Equity and fixed income funds appreciated by $1 trillion through October, according to the latest report from Strategic Insight.
When rates rise, will bond fund owners bolt?
History shows that intermediate-term bond funds are likely to see less flight than junk bond funds, a Schwab executive writes in the Journal of Financial Planning.
Easy Does It
“We will want to be sure that the recovery is established before we begin to normalize policy,” Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said in a speech yesterday.
US lags in resilience to financial adversity: Barclays
About half (49%) of US high net worth individuals believe that anyone can learn to become a successful entrepreneur by working hard, while 83% of similar individuals in the...
Younger investors’ faith in equities remains low: T. Rowe Price
Only about half of investors (51%) surveyed said that their risk tolerance remains the same as before the financial crisis, and 37% say they are now avoiding stocks because...
