Economy & Markets
The important economic and stock market news that advisors need to know.
The "why" behind the GLWB explosion
By Jack MarrionOne year ago, the first index annuities offering guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits were introduced. By the spring of this year a majority of top indexed carriers were offering GLWBs on at least some of their annuities, and almost all of the
June 22, 2007
Some Utility Stocks Becoming Less Interest Rate SensitiveUntil about 10 years ago, U.S. electric and natural gas utilities have been quintessential "widow and orphan" stocks. Their profitability was highly regulated and, lacking...
June 22, 2007
Edcor Buys BenefitSourceA Michigan tuition reimbursement program administrator is acquiring an independent benefit plan administrator.Edcor Data Services Inc., Pontiac, Mich., says it has acquired BenefitSource Inc., Monroe, ...
June 08, 2007
Insurers, Consumer Reps Call For Open NAIC MeetingsThe American Insurance Association and the Center for Economic Justice both want to hear more about new model development rules at the National Association of ...
June 06, 2007
ING Makes VA Guarantee Feature More FlexibleAn insurer is letting purchasers of a variable annuity income rider put more of their contract value in stock funds.ING U.S. Financial Services, West Chester, ...
June 04, 2007
Dollar Declining, but Not Set to CrashA dollar crisis, with a precipitous decline triggering grave market volatility, could be looming according to a panel of experts at a seminar sponsored by Washington think tank American Enterprise Institute (AEI). The current U.S. deficit totaled about $800 billion in 2006 while China, most notably--where a stock market bubble...
June 01, 2007
About the ManagerCo-portfolio manager E. Tucker Scott, executive VP of Templeton Investment Counsel, the sub-advisor to the fund, is based in Geneva. Scott is responsible for the...
June 01, 2007
Utilities Plugging AwayOver the past few years, the dull utilities sector has been turning heads with stock market performance that's been anything but boring. Through the first quarter...