Products December 21, 2007

Principal Offers 403(b) Education Program

To help financial professionals and their clients face the effects of new 403(b) plan regulations, The Principal has created a comprehensive education program.
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In addition to providing support to help comply with the new requirements (see 403(b) aware), The Principal is offering a guide and two white papers that summarize the regulations and provide analysis of their implications, according to a Principal press release.

The program includes:

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The 403(b) guide and white papers are available at the Principal Research Center here.

The Markets December 21, 2007

Janus Closes 3 Funds to New Money

Janus Capital Group Inc has stopped accepting cash from new customers in three funds that invest in non-U.S. stocks.
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Janus said in a statement it has closed the $10.9 billion Overseas Fund, the $2 billion Adviser International Growth Fund, and the $3 billion Aspen International Growth Portfolio to new investors, effective immediately. All three funds are managed by Brent Lynn.

Existing Janus Overseas Fund shareholders, retirement plan sponsors, and their participants may continue to purchase shares and reinvest any dividends or capital gains distributions. Janus Adviser International Growth Fund and Janus Aspen International Growth Portfolio will continue to accept investments from current qualified retirement plan and variable product sponsors, Janus noted.

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“We believe that closing these portfolios is in the best interests of existing shareholders,” Janus Co-Chief Investment Officer Gibson Smith said in the statement. “By better controlling the flows coming into the portfolios we give Brent Lynn the flexibility to invest in the types of international growth stocks that are consistent with his style.’

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