Fixed Income
News and analysis of fixed income markets including the key factors affecting performance such as interest rates, Federal Reserve policy and the state of the economy.
Pension Risk Transfer Attractiveness Unchanged, Despite Higher Pension Funding Levels
By Warren S. HerschA key benchmark that gauges the relative attractiveness of annuitizing pension liabilities has remained nearly unchanged since January, according a press statement from Dietrich & Associates.
February 09, 2012
Buffett Backs Fink on Controversial Allocation AdviceCalling bonds among the most dangerous of assets, Buffett's sentiment adds credence to BlackRock Chairman Larry Finks controversial advice from Wednesday that investors should allocate 100% of their assets to equities.
February 08, 2012
War of Borrowers Against Savers: News AnalysisWhen Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke announced two weeks ago that the Fed expected to maintain its near-zero interest rate policy at least as long as the end of 2014, it was the latest salvo in our loose monetary regimes increasing repression of savers.
February 07, 2012
SEC’s Money Market Rule Changes Assailed by Fund CompaniesICIs Paul Schott Stevens warns agency hat trick will jeopardize investors, businesses, governments and the economic recovery.
February 03, 2012
Earnings Results: Aflac, Ameriprise, Assurant Genworth, Principal, SymetraAflac Inc., Columbus, Ga. (NYSE: AFL) reported fourth quarter 2011 revenue of $6.0 billion, a 12.9% rise compared with $5.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010. Net earnings totaled $546 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, compared with $437 million, or $.92 per share, a year ago.
February 02, 2012
A Lesson in Annuity Riders: GMIB vs. GWBWhen recommending annuities, be sure to evaluate each riders suitability for your clients unique needs.
January 31, 2012
Which indexed annuity GLWB is best?The determining factor ultimately depends on whether the rider performs better now or later.
January 31, 2012
Carriers See Brighter Disability Claims PictureProblems crop up in Australia, but StanCorp finds signs of improvement in the U.S. market.