Life insurers ‘out of levers’ to fight low rates: Conning
'The shift to BBB-rated bonds has performed well over 2011 to 2015; yet the question remains as to how long that performance can continue,' said Conning insurance research chief...
Cambridge advisors will use the BIC, accept “levelized” commissions
Like Raymond James and Morgan Stanley—but unlike Merrill Lynch—Cambridge will let commission-based advisors serve retirement clients.
Advisors: Your next prospect could be a “mystery shopper”
A unit of Fidelity Investments has engaged real investors—not actors—to pose as typical prospects, interact with financial advisors, and then report their levels of satisfaction with the sales process...
A new robo-advice solution from TD Ameritrade
'Essential Portfolios' costs 30 basis points (0.3%) per year. Each of the five model portfolios consists of non-proprietary ETFs and cash with weighted average expense ratios of 0.06% to...
Strategic Insight buys BrightScope
The acquisition of BrightScope, founded in 2008 by Ryan and Mike Alfred, follows Strategic Insight’s recent acquisition of Market Metrics and Matrix Solutions.
FAQs (and Answers) from DOL
The DOL said 'No' to the question: Can advisors rely on the 'streamlined' version of the Best Interest Contract Exemption if the products they recommend to IRA owners...
Eleven firms, and their new DOL-related policies
A quick review of changes at LPL, Great American Life, Edward Jones, Nationwide, State Farm, Jackson National Life, Merrill Lynch, Commonwealth Financial, Morgan Stanley and Ameriprise in response to...
Investors not applauding Genworth sale to China Oceanwide
Shareholders, who have been stewing for months over Genworth’s debt load, reacted to the acquisition by selling Genworth stock. The share price fell almost 4%, to $4.26, in early...
High stock valuations reduce insider-buying, buybacks: TrimTabs
'The best-informed market participants seem unenthusiastic about U.S. stocks at current prices,' said David Santschi, CEO at TrimTabs Investment Research.
TIAA survey shows popularity of closed-end funds
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of advisors recommend increasing closed-end fund allocation at retirement to diversify income, according to new research by Nuveen, a unit of TIAA Global Asset Management.
Could your job vanish after November 8? Here’s a remedy
'IncomeAssure covers salaries up to $250,000 a year. It allows policyholders to maintain their current lifestyle and pay their bills while unemployed, regardless of which candidate wins the election,'...
Passive equity funds still gaining assets: Morningstar
U.S. equity attracted steady flows on the passive side, with an estimated inflow of $19.3 billion in September, up from August's $16.4 billion.
Tall thin clients buy more equities than short fat clients, study shows
People who got taller faster as teenagers were likely to participate in high school sports and activities correlated with higher teenage self-esteem, generating a long-lasting effect related to how...
It’s splitsville for MetLife and Snoopy
'The iconic MetLife blue carries forth the brand’s legacy, but has been brightened and now lives alongside a new color—green—which represents life, renewal and energy,' said a release about...
Honorable Mention
Brief or late-breaking items from or about AXA, BlackRock, ING, Voya Financial, Shlomo Benartzi, Lafayette Life, Goldman Sachs, Jack Bogle, WISER, Prudential Investments, Morningstar and PitchBook.
Ruark reports results of first FIA mortality study
The study covered 11 million contract years of data and 165,000 deaths from thirteen participating FIA issuers.
DC plan advisors to cut sales of VAs, active funds: Ignites
Because of the fiduciary rule, 7% of plan advisors expect to reduce their use of actively managed equity mutual funds in DC plans, and 8% expect to scale back...
