The Markets

Analysts suggest infrastructure investments already have been doing fairly well in recent years despite heightened market volatility. 

Investors added $96 billion to the portfolios, giving Vanguard a 34% market share.

Equity exchange-traded funds (ETFs) garnered the most cash.

Pairing this with higher deferral rates can result in balances as much as 30% higher, the investment firm says.

A new report by Vanguard offers insight into TDF trends and participant demographics.

Investment product providers and consumers face many challenges in today’s dynamic markets—but a surge in equity investment in the last year shows a clear willingness to accept risk...

ETFs have taken on a central role in critical investment functions like risk and liquidity management. 

In the last few years, real-estate exposure has been gaining traction in the DC space; however, its potential for key benefits also poses several challenges.

While little concrete policy has yet been crafted, it is commonly assumed that the Trump administration will have little enthusiasm for promoting environmental, social and governance investing. 

Passive strategies continued to lead demand.

“Low growth, low interest rates and fully valued equities make the hope for strong future returns just that—a hope,” new research from Willis Towers Watson warns. 

For 13 of the 20 trading days in January, participants favored equities over fixed income funds in their trades.

Predictions vary around market returns and interest rates for 2017, although some have predicted rates solidly above 5% by the end of 2018. 

Investors are looking to allocate to higher yielding areas, and are increasingly considering non-traditional asset classes.

Some suggest it is little more than a lack of awareness that has prevented a big rush by DC plans towards smart beta investing.

Some experts see CITs gaining big ground in retirement plans; others see mutual funds holding them off. 

Experts argue bond ladders can work in a rising rate environment and across a variety of unpredictable macroeconomic scenarios—allowing investors to continually readjust their fixed-income exposure. 

More than half of Americans believe the Trump administration will have an impact on their retirement savings strategies.

Like individual investors, TDF portfolio managers feel pressure to react to short-term trends and speculative market headlines; as with individuals, performance depends on efficient portfolios and a principled...

Mercer suggests not-for-profit health care organizations keep an eye of 403(b) lawsuits, ACA regulations and DB funding, among other things, when making investment decisions in 2017.