Products September 27, 2010

Putnam Unveils Multi-Cap Fund Lineup

Putnam Investments has launched a suite of multi-cap equity funds designed to provide investors with exposure to the U.S. stocks within the value, core/blend and growth style universes.
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A Putnam news release said each fund manager has the flexibility to invest in the stocks of companies within their style universe, regardless of the company’s market capitalization.

“Putnam seeks to provide advisers a streamlined approach to investing across the broad universe of stocks within each style category. As a firm, we increasingly believe there is much opportunity to be gained for clients through vehicles that place less constraint on where good investments can be found,” said Putnam Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Robert L. Reynolds, in the news release.

The new offerings include:

Putnam Multi-Cap Core Fund (Class A: PMYAX) seeks capital appreciation using a blend strategy, investing in both growth stocks and value stocks of small, midsize and large companies. The fund is managed by Gerard Sullivan, who also manages Putnam Investors Fund.

Putnam Multi-Cap Value Fund (Class A: PMVAX) seeks capital appreciation by investing in value stocks of companies of all sizes. Formerly known as Putnam Mid Cap Value Fund, the fund’s investment strategy was expanded to give the fund the flexibility to invest across all capitalization levels. The fund continues to be managed by James Polk, who has been Portfolio Manager since 2004.

Putnam Multi-Cap Growth Fund (Class A: PNOPX) seeks capital appreciation by investing in growth stocks of small, midsize and large companies. Formerly known as Putnam New Opportunities Fund, the fund has a new name to better reflect its investment strategy. In addition, this month, Putnam Vista Fund (also a growth fund) was merged into Putnam Multi-Cap Growth Fund.

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Products September 27, 2010

Mutual of Omaha Announces New Online Enrollment System

Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company has announced a new online enrollment system that it says will expand the personalization of services the company provides to support voluntary insurance enrollment.
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According to the announcement, employees will receive communication about their employer’s specific benefit offerings, as well as the ability to enroll online. The enhanced online enrollment option will also streamline the creation of personalized enrollment materials (both paper and Web); enhance online options for open enrollment and new hire periods; offer a wide range of tracking and reporting options for employers and their benefit brokers; and reinforce the need for coverage before prompting an employee to enroll or decline.   

Other benefits include a secure environment for confidential employee information, a portal for new hires, and additional flexibility in coordinating benefit enrollment events with core plan enrollment periods.   

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“Improving our online enrollment options satisfies the enrollment needs of the increasing number of employers that have workers dispersed across several locations, and employees who are unable to attend a group meeting,” said Marty Traynor, vice president of voluntary benefits at Mutual of Omaha, in the announcement.

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