Investment Strategies
Get the latest market outlook, as well as news and analysis on mutual funds, ETFs and alternative investments, all designed to help you construct a well-balanced portfolio for your clients
Hedge Fund Index up 6.84%
By James J. GreenGreenwich Alternative Investments released its monthly Hedge Fund Index on June 11, which showed a 2007 YTD return of 6.84%, and a monthly increase of 2.18% for May, compared to an 8.76% YTD increase for the S&P 500 (3.49% for May) and a 1.27% increase (-0.76% for May) for the...
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
Another Asset Class for AdvisorsOver the years, a number of alternative investments have become increasingly available to RIAs and their high-net-worth clientele. Hedge fund of funds burst into the scene about 15 years ago, followed by mutual funds that utilize a plethora of market neutral strategies. Private equity may well be the next piece...
May 30, 2007
More Social-Issue Shareholder ResolutionsThe Social Investment Forum (SIF) reported May 30 that investors are filing a record number of social and environmental shareholder resolutions this year, led by resolutions on climate change, increased disclosure of political contributions and trade and association ties, and enhanced sustainability reporting, citing data from Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS).
May 22, 2007
S&P Adds Islamic Law-Compliant IndexStandard & Poor's is adding to its index offerings aimed at Islamic investors who want to participate in the markets in a way that conforms to Shariah law. The S&P BRIC Shariah Index will include large companies from the BRIC countries--Brazil, Russia, India, and China--that "trade on developed market exchanges,"...
May 21, 2007
China's Bubble May Not Spell Trouble for Global InvestorsDespite a recent government decision allowing investment in markets outside of the mainland, China's indexes still continue to close higher, fueling renewed speculation in some quarters that the markets are inflated and ready to pop. But Alec Young, international market strategist at Standard & Poor's, says American investors should not...
May 18, 2007
SEC Furthers Strides Toward Global Accounting StandardFurthering its efforts to establish a global accounting standard, the SEC plans to issue a proposed rule this summer allowing foreign private issuers to choose...
May 17, 2007
Fidelity Adds Share Classes to Four AMT-Free Money FundsFidelity Investments launched on May 14 two new share classes--institutional and service--for four of its alternative minimum tax-free money market funds: Fidelity California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.