The Markets October 6, 2010

Russell Introduces Two Global Funds

Russell Global Infrastructure Fund and the Russell Global Credit Strategies Fund are the latest additions to Russell Investment offerings. 
Reported by

A Russell news release said the two funds also have been added to the Russell LifePoints Funds Target Portfolio Series and Russell CoreModel Strategies.

The Russell Global Infrastructure Fund is designed to offer investors access to “real assets,” a category often used by investors looking for enhanced diversification and broader opportunities beyond traditional markets, as well as a potential hedge against inflation. The fund will concentrate its investments in equity securities, including common stocks and preferred stocks of listed infrastructure companies located in all major global regions (including the U.S. market). The concentration will be in developed markets with a marginal allocation to emerging markets. 

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The Russell Global Credit Strategies Fund will offer tactical global bond opportunities, focusing on high yield bonds and emerging market debt. The fund’s investments will primarily be in high yield bonds and emerging market debt, but it also will consist of investment-grade securities.

Products October 6, 2010

Keep the Value-Add Programs Coming, Say Advisers

kasina and Horsesmouth found that advisers appreciate well-constructed value-added programs because they often lead to business growth.   
Reported by

A survey by the two companies also found that when a value-added program (meaning a series of information and tools that, when used correctly, grow an advisor’s book of business, educate the advisor in a meaningful way, or facilitate the adviser’s ability to meet specific client needs) helps an adviser gain or retain a client, the majority of advisers (63%) are more likely to keep the client’s assets with the company that provided the program.  

“The recent economic downturn and recovery has forced advisers to rethink not only the products that they invest in, but also their practice management,” says Steven Miyao, CEO at kasina. “Today more than ever, advisers are looking for product providers to help them with their businesses.”

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When looking for a value-added program to incorporate into a practice, kasina recommends that an adviser first figure out what sort of result are they looking for.   Whether it’s to grow a client base, educate the adviser on new trends, or facilitate the adviser’s ability to meet specific client needs, value-added programs are most effective when chosen to meet a specific need.  

The survey found the following value-added programs are the most highly recommended to advisers in these respective channels:

  • Traditional Wirehouse: BlackRock 
  • Regional Broker/Dealer: American Funds 
  • Independent Broker/Dealer: American Funds
  • Insurance Company: American Funds
  • Independent RIA: PIMCO

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