Topic: Mutual Fund Management

Tax VOX The burden of choice weighs on the tax system

The current taxation of derivatives is complicated and inconsistent, Rosenthal writes. Investors often use these tax differences to manipulate the character, timing, or source of their income to reduce their tax liability, he adds.

Timothy Geithner pressures SEC to change money-market rules

Timothy Geithner is putting pressure on the Securities and Exchange Commission to overhaul its rules for money-market mutual funds. Geithner warned that without an overhaul to the money-market system, US financial stability would remain threatened. 

Five ways big banks' Libor scandal affects you

London, this year's host of the Olympics, is also home to a bank scandal that threatens to rock the financial world as much as the Games influence the world of sports. Here's why: Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate) is a global benchmark for interest rates that reaches deep into the international financial system. Allegations that banks rigged those rates means that everyone from mortgage-holders and indebted students to cities and mutual funds may have had their interest rates unnaturally altered. Already tainted by other scandals, banks are under investigation because of charges that they profited illegally from their rate-rigging scheme. The mess further taints big banks and puts more strain on the credibility of the global financial system. Here are five ways the Libor scandal could affect you:

Seven retirement questions you need to answer

Retirement planning isn't easy. Nearly half of Americans don't feel financially prepared to live to age 75, according to a survey from Northwestern Mutual. But the process is a lot less burdensome if you break the task down into simpler parts. Here are seven questions to ask as you plan for your long-term financial security in retirement.

A "window dressing" stock market rally

Window dressing is the phenomenon where mutual fund managers and other institutions that report quarterly performance results will buy more shares in their biggest holdings headed into the end of a month, quarter or year. If it sounds illegal, it is.

Money market funds get boost from jittery investors

Money market funds gained $69 billion in August, while stock and bond funds lost $32 billion. Besides money market funds, investors put $1 billion into ETFs.

Mutual funds: August tough on stock pickers

Mutual funds trying to earn higher returns faced a nearly impossible task. Individual stocks are tracking the S&P index more now than in at least the last 20 years, a conundrum for managers of mutual funds.

US economy 'has barely budged': 1.3 percent growth in GDP

The GDP grew at an annual rate of only 1.3 percent in the second quarter of 2011, announces the Commerce Department, which also revised first-quarter growth down to 0.4 percent.

Debt-limit brink: Can ordinary investors run for cover? Should they?

As the clock ticks down on the debt-limit deadline, financial advisers say the worst thing ordinary investors can do is panic and sell. The assumption is still that some kind of deal will get done.

What could happen to the global economy if US defaults

Some private economists see devastating effects, such as stock markets plunging. But other economists don't envision such a scenario, suggesting that the Fed, for example, may step in.

Does Greece owe you? How the Greece crisis affects US money market funds

American exposure to the Greece crisis is high in certain areas. Half the assets in the 10 biggest money market funds are invested in European banks, which hold a lot of Greece's debt.

Federal Reserve chief tells US financial markets not to worry about Greece

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says that even if Greece defaults, a prospect that has roiled US financial markets for weeks, the impact on US banks would be 'very small.'

Even your money-market fund could be hit by Greek default

Nearly half of US mutual fund assets are invested in European banks, some of which face big losses in case of a Greek default. Banks could see their ratings downgraded after a Greek default.

Mutual funds attract less cash in March

Mutual funds kept gaining investments last month, but not as many as in the beginning of the year. Assets in stock and bond mutual funds totaled about $8.2 trillion at the end of March.

When the Bond King hates bonds, it's time to invest in stocks

Bill Gross, the 'Bond King,' has just changed the rules so he can buy stocks for the largest mutual fund on earth.

The case for cautious optimism

Many economic forecasters see nothing but further sinking, but with a rising number - if not percentage - of people employed, there are grounds for optimism.

Mutual funds: As Dow wavers, what should small investors do?

The Dow dipped below 10000 Wednesday morning, weighed down by unfavorable economic reports. A look at the options for investors in mutual funds.

US no longer insures your money-market fund, but that’s good news

Withdrawing federal insurance is part of a broader exit strategy from the government's emergency supports for the economy, expected to gather steam this year.

Is the bull market back?

The stock market is roaring again and consumers are starting to feel better. One problem: they're still not ready to spend.

Should stock-fund managers shift to cash?

Those who did suffered smaller losses last year. Yet few welcome that strategy.

Financial Q&A: The best places to stash your cash.