If your looking for specific news, using the search function will narrow down the results
FTSE Russell Dividends helped smooth the small-cap roller coaster ride in 2018
January 18, 2019--January 18, 2019--US small-cap stocks with a track record of strong dividend growth had higher returns and less volatility versus the broad universe of US small-caps in 2018, in line with a similar trend demonstrated over the last decade.
And, notably, this outperformance accelerated in fourth quarter during a particularly volatile period for US equities in general and US small-caps in particular
view more
Source: FTSE Russell
Morningstar says investors rushed the exits in 2018
January 17, 2019--Net flows into mutual funds and ETFs were the lowest since the 2008 financial crisis, while money-market funds captured inflows
Investors ran for cover in 2018, according to the latest data from Morningstar showing last year's level of net inflows into U.S. mutual funds.
Net inflows into ETFs were the lowest since 2008.
In a year that saw the S&P 500 Index finish down 4.4%, taking into account dividends, including a fourth-quarter drop of more than 12%, net flows into U.S. funds totaled just $157 billion. Last year's net flows are still huge compared to the $11 billion in net flows from 2008, but pose a stark contrast to the nearly $700 billion in net flows in 2017.
view more
Source: investmentnews.com
US active funds suffer $143bn 'exodus' in December
January 17, 2019--Heaviest monthly outflows in 10 years as investors seek shelter in passive vehicles
view more
Source: FT.com
Blockchain Startup Aims to Cut Out Equifax From Loan Process
January 17, 2019--SoFi, OnDeck Capital join group to cut out credit bureaus
Sharing may be enabled by Spring Labs 'triple-blind' method
Blockchain startup Spring Labs is partnering with 16 lenders and fintech firms to test a system to eliminate centralized entities like credit bureaus from their role in granting loans to individuals and companies.
Credit bureaus such as Equifax Inc. and Experian Plc have risen to occupy a dominant role in the granting of loans because banks have several problems when it comes to sharing the customer information necessary to grant debt.
view more
Source: Bloomberg
Morningstar says investors rushed the exits in 2018
January 17, 2019--Investors ran for cover in 2018, according to the latest data from Morningstar showing last year's level of net inflows into U.S. mutual funds. Net inflows into ETFs were the lowest since 2008.
In a year that saw the S&P 500 Index finish down 4.4%, taking into account dividends, including a fourth-quarter drop of more than 12%, net flows into U.S. funds totaled just $157 billion. Last year's net flows are still huge compared to the $11 billion in net flows from 2008, but pose a stark contrast to the nearly $700 billion in net flows in 2017.
view more
Source: investmentnews.com
FTSE Russell launches Chinese Green Bond Index Series
January 17, 2019--New index Series tracks bonds whose proceeds are specifically used to finance climate or environmental projects
China is now second-largest green bond market globally-$37 billion issued in 2017
Growing global demand to incorporate ESG factors as a core part of investment and stewardship approaches.
FTSE Russell has 15+ year track record in promoting sustainable investment
FTSE Russell leading provider of China-linked benchmarks
FTSE Russell, the global index, analytics and data provider, has launched a new index series tracking Chinese green bonds. The FTSE Chinese (Onshore CNY) Green Bond Index Series will benchmark securities whose proceeds are specifically used to finance climate or environmental projects in mainland China.
view more
Source: FTSE Russell
ProShares Launches Full Suite of Communication Services Select SectorETFs
January 16, 2019--Today, ProShares launched a full suite of ETFs benchmarked to the S&PCommunication Services Select Sector Index.
With this launch, tacticalinvestors can customize their exposure to the new communication servicessector, which focuses on the evolution of communication, entertainmentand information sharing.
XCOM, UCOM, YCOM and SCOM seek daily investment results that correspondto +/- 2x and +/- 3x the daily performance of the index, before fees andexpenses. The suite of ETFs is listed on NYSE Arca.
view more
Source: ProShares
Leveraged & Inverse ETFS Thematic Weight ETFs PortfolioPlus ETFs Twitter Direxion Launches First-Ever Relative Weight ETFs
January 16, 2019--Funds That Allow New Expression of Thematic Views Mark Evolution for Firm
Direxion announced today it has launched the first 10 ETFs of its new Relative Weight suite, part of a firm evolution offering new products to help a wider swath of investors more precisely express market views.
For more information on the funds, visit: direxioninvestments.com/RelativeWeightETFs.
With the launch, Direxion offers the first relative value strategy in an index-based fund, allowing investors to capture both sides of an expressed view-whether they believe, for example, value will outperform growth, emerging will outperform developed markets, or vice versa.
view more
Source: Direxion
Vanguard founder Jack Bogle dies at 89; pioneered the index fund
January 16, 2019--John C. "Jack" Bogle, a towering figure in finance who revolutionized American investment with his invention of the index fund, died Jan. 16 in Bryn Mawr, Pa. He was 89.
The announcement was made by the Malvern, Pa.-based Vanguard Group, the $5 trillion mutual fund organization he founded in 1974. No cause of death was reported. He had been diagnosed with an erratic heartbeat as a young man, had his first of six heart attacks at 31 and underwent a heart transplant at 66.
view more
Source: Washington Post
Federal Reserve Beige Book
January 16, 2019--Overall Economic Activity
Economic activity increased in most of the U.S., with eight of twelve Federal Reserve Districts reporting modest to moderate growth. Nonauto retail sales grew modestly, as several Districts reported more holiday traffic compared with last year.
Auto sales were flat on balance. The majority of Districts indicated that manufacturing expanded, but that growth had slowed, particularly in the auto and energy sectors. New home construction and existing home sales were little changed, with several Districts reporting that sales were limited by rising prices and low inventory.
view more
Source: federalreserve.gov