New data shows more advisors are leaving the large traditional brokerages to go independent
rather than to go to other big shops.
Investors continue to be risk averse--shunning stocks in favor of
bonds--and paying the price.
Former Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Alan Blinder said
Friday he fears Congress will fail to act to revamp the financial
regulatory system, calling it a "tragedy."
J.P. Morgan Chase indicated it plans to offer actively managed exchange-traded funds,
following recent moves by competitors.
by
Dorothy Hinchcliff
In what seems to be a continuing race among providers to introduce exchange-traded
funds, Boston-based Direxion announced today that it has launched six
new leveraged ETFs.
Harry Markopolos is out hustling a new
book about his nearly decade-long pursuit of Bernie Madoff. Could he handle the SEC's top job?
Wall Street firms have received fees exceeding $1 billion in less than
a year selling "Build America Bonds" meant to spur jobs in struggling
cities.
It's not only clients who ask Betty-Anne Howard how to align their
investment choices with their values. Other financial advisors often go
to her for tips on socially responsible investing.
The U.S. Treasury and the Department of Energy Wednesday
said federal investment grants for smart grid projects--artificially
intelligent power grid systems--will be tax exempt.
Over 60% of U.S. households are at risk of not being able to afford
comfortable retirements because of the drop in home-equity
valuation, according to Boston College's retirement research center.
by
Dorothy Hinchcliff
The Financial Planning Coalition is pushing for a law that would
require anyone calling themselves a financial planner to be SEC registered and meet certain
ethical and educational standards.
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. must pay nearly $1.8
million-including $1.5 million in punitive damages-to a former
employee, according to a securities arbitration award.
A little-noticed law could soon result in smaller Social Security
checks for hundreds of thousands of the elderly and disabled who owe
the U.S. money.
Even sophisticated clients often lack basic financial literacy that results in them being overly optimistic about retirement in spite of the fact that they have enormous housing and other costs.
by
Dorothy Hinchcliff
The nation's wealthy already appear to be bouncing back somewhat from the recession, according to a new survey.
The parade of mutual fund companies jumping into the ETF business continues. The latest entrant: Eaton Vance Corp.
A key consideration in the review-and rare
reversal-of longstanding sanctions against two brokers involved this
question: Can one family member adequately supervise another?
by
Ray Fazzi
First Allied Securities Inc. has agreed to pay $1.95 million to
settle charges that it failed to supervise a broker who allegedly
engaged in fraudulent trading.
The Department of Labor's push to expand the availability of objective
investment advice will likely shake things up for brokers who advise
clients on individual retirement accounts.
by
Dorothy Hinchcliff
A record 95 global warming shareholder resolutions with 82 U.S. and Canadian companies have been filed by U.S. investors this proxy season.
