Products December 9, 2010

Barclays Releases Commodities Index

Barclays Capital unveiled the Barclays Capital Commodities Research Index (BCRI), designed to make Barclays Capital’s commodities research investable.
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A news release said analysts assign rankings to individual commodity markets based on fundamentals, which are then applied to benchmark portfolio weights to produce a set of overweight/underweight positions. The result is an index reflecting the Barclays Capital commodities research team’s fundamental views by market and sector.

“Via the Barclays Capital Commodities Research Index, clients will be able to invest, for the first time, in a product where returns are driven by the views of our research team,” said Philippe J.J. Comer, Head of Commodity Investor Structuring, Americas, for Barclays Capital, in the news release.

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Products December 9, 2010

Principal Ready for Roth Conversion Requests

The Principal Financial Group will begin processing plan changes for in-plan Roth conversions and for participant requests for such conversions beginning December 16, 2010.
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A Principal news release said 401(k) and 403(b) sponsors have until December 15 to request the change in writing, in order for participants to take advantage of special tax benefits for conversions made in 2010. Participants can either claim the conversion as income on their 2010 tax return or split it between their 2011 and 2012 tax returns.

“With the IRS unveiling final guidance on the in-plan Roth conversions, we’re hearing from more sponsors who want to allow the conversion option,” said Joni Tibbetts, vice president of retirement and investor services at The Principal, in the news release  “We’re ready to help sponsors with plan amendments and we’ll be ready for participants who want to make the conversion.”

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