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☆ This is the easiest way for newbies to start investing, financial experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

For many people, investing is a necessity to grow one's savings and provide financial security in retirement. A 'fabulous, simple solution' for beginnersTarget-date funds, known as TDFs, are the simplest entry point to investing for the long term, according to financial pros. TDFs are based on age: Investors choose a fund based on the year in which they aim to retire. Other 'solid choices' for novice investorsInvestors who want to be a bit more hands-on relative to TDF investors have other simple options, experts said. Investing is not a game where the guy with the 160 IQ beats the guy with 130 IQ.

Persons: Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, Christine Benz, Lee Baker, Baker, Carolyn McClanahan, Benz, Charles Schwab, Rowe Price, it's, McClanahan Organizations: Getty, Berkshire, Fidelity Investments, Morningstar, Apex Financial Services, Investors, Benz, Planning Partners, Fidelity, Vanguard Group, BlackRock, Finance, Young Locations: Atlanta, Jacksonville , Florida, U.S

☆ Policy changes look to reduce 401(k) plan 'leakage'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

About 40% of workers who leave a job cash out their 401(k) plans each year, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The 401(k) ecosystem would have almost $2 trillion more over a 40-year period if workers didn't cash out their accounts, EBRI estimated. 85% of workers who cash out drain their 401(k)It's not all workers' faultIt's not all workers' fault, though. By law, employers can cash out the small account balances of former employees who leave their 401(k) accounts behind. It's not just workers who benefit: Administrators keep more money in the 401(k) ecosystem, likely padding their profits.

Persons: Craig Copeland, —, whittle, Spencer Williams, Vanguard Group —, wouldn't, Williams, who's, It's Organizations: Getty, Research, Fidelity Investments, Vanguard Group

☆ Why millennials' retirement outlook may be worse than older generations
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

'Deteriorating' retirement outlookAbout 38% of early millennials (those born in the 1980s) will have "inadequate" retirement income at age 70, according to projections from a 2022 Urban Institute study. watch now"We do see the retirement outlook deteriorating for future generations," including millennials, said Richard Johnson, director of Urban's retirement policy program and co-author of the report. Millennials' student loans dent their net worthA 2021 paper by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College had similar findings. Meanwhile, the last major Social Security overhaul, in 1983, gradually raised the program's "full retirement age" to 67 years old. That will make it easier to save for retirement, according to a Brookings Institution report.

Persons: Jamie Grill, Craig Copeland, Gen X, Xers, Richard Johnson, Johnson, aren't, Millennials, Gen Xers, CRR, X, EBRI, Anqi Chen, Copeland, millennials, they're, William Gale, Hilary Gelfond, Jason Fichtner, there's, Sean Deviney, Deviney Organizations: Social Security, Research Institute, Urban, Center for Retirement Research, Boston College, Research, Transamerica Center, Retirement Studies, Finance, IRA, Pensions, Social, Center, Budget, Brookings Institution, Vanguard Group Locations: U.S, Fort Lauderdale , Florida

The Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) logo is seen outside of a branch in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 14, 2019. It also disrupted Canada's prestigious Giller Prize Gala on Nov. 14, a literary award sponsored by Scotiabank. It claims in its petition that Scotiabank is the biggest foreign shareholder in Elbit, whose weapons were heavily used during Israel's 11-day operation in Gaza in May 2021. The email said Scotiabank was "not the biggest shareholder of Elbit, nor is it the biggest foreign shareholder of Elbit. Eko said it would not comment on the protests at Scotia branches and has not taken part in the protests.

Persons: Chris Wattie, Eko, unitholders, Angus Wong, Wong, Bezhalel Machlis, Nivedita Balu, Denny Thomas, David Gregorio Our Organizations: of Nova, REUTERS, Rights TORONTO, Bank of Nova, Elbit Systems, Scotiabank . Toronto Police, Scotiabank, Global Asset Management, Management, Vanguard Group, BlackRock Institutional Trust, Israel Ministry of Defence, Israel MOD, Thomson Locations: of Nova Scotia, Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, Israel, Elbit, Gaza, Toronto, Scotia

☆ Vanguard sells stake in joint venture with China's Ant
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A logo of Ant Group is pictured at the headquarters of Ant Group, an affiliate of Alibaba, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China October 29, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 17 (Reuters) - U.S. mutual fund issuer Vanguard Group said on Tuesday it had sold its stake in a joint venture with Chinese fintech giant Ant Group, hastening its retreat from the world's second-biggest economy. Vanguard said it will prioritize regions where it offers its own investment products and services. Its 49% stake in the venture, a digital investment advisory service, has been sold to Ant. A Reuters report in March said Vanguard was mulling a retreat from China after a six-year presence in the country.

Persons: Aly, Niket, Anil D'Silva Organizations: Ant Group, REUTERS, Vanguard, Ant, BlackRock, Fidelity, Reuters, Bloomberg News, Thomson Locations: Alibaba, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, Bengaluru

☆ Vanguard sells stake in joint venture with Ant - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A logo of Ant Group is pictured at the headquarters of Ant Group, an affiliate of Alibaba, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China October 29, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 17 (Reuters) - U.S. asset management giant Vanguard Group has sold its 49% stake in a joint venture with Jack Ma-backed Ant Group Co, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. An increase in geopolitical tensions recently, however, has prompted some investing giants to split off their China arms. Vanguard did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Ant did not respond to a request for comment outside business hours.

Persons: Aly, Jack Ma, Ant, Niket, Anil D'Silva Organizations: Ant Group, REUTERS, Vanguard, Ant, Bloomberg, BlackRock, Fidelity, Thomson Locations: Alibaba, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ How to Invest in Mutual Funds
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Mallika Mitra | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +20 min

Mutual funds are relatively cheap and simple to invest in, thanks to the many trading apps and online brokerages available nowadays. To get started, read on for our 10-step guide on how to invest in mutual funds. Once you open an account, you can invest in a wide range of securities, like stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Buy mutual fund sharesNow that you’ve solidified your strategy and done your research, you are almost ready to buy mutual funds. How to buy mutual fund sharesSome mutual funds require an investment minimum, often between $500 and $3,000, but not all do.

Persons: Mallika Mitra, Tricia Rosen, ”, Rosen, “, Ameritrade, Roth, Roth IRAs, Uncle Sam, you’ve, Randy Bruns, it’s, Morningstar, Russell, hasn’t, Amy Arnott, John Bogle, Morningstar’s Arnott, pitfall Arnott, You’ll, you’ll, Don’t, Sam, haven’t Organizations: Mutual, Fidelity, Vanguard, Morningstar, SEC, Apple, Fidelity Investments Fidelity, Target, Walmart, Funds, Capital Group, Capital Group’s, The Securities, Exchange Commission, Social, Consumer, Morgan, Capital Locations: Andover, Mass, Naperville , Illinois, U.S

☆ How this 77-year-old widow lost $661,000 in a common tech scam: 'I realized I had been defrauded of everything'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +19 min

Older adults, many of whom have saved their entire careers for retirement, can have the most to lose. The Covid pandemic was a disproportionate threat to older adults, keeping Americans indoors and quickly pushing them online. Outcomes hinge on a complex web of federal and state rules that govern banking and elder financial fraud. Such "heightened procedures" to protect older adults are part of the bank's duty of care relative to older customers, the lawsuit said. Scammers had her wire funds from her PNC bank account to an account at the now-defunct Signature Bank in New York.

Persons: Marjorie Bloom, she'd, Bloom, Roth, Ester, Ester Bloom, Rebecca Keithley, —, they'd, I'm, Kathy Stokes, Keithley, General Merrick Garland, she'll, Marjorie Bloom Bloom, trekked, Mount, Kriangkrai, I've, There's, Sergio Flores, scammers —, Carla Sanchez, Adams, Sanchez, Banks, Marve Ann Alaimo, Porter Wright Morris, Arthur, Alaimo, Cryptocurrency, Scammers, scammers, it's, Patrick Wyman, Wyman, Al Drago Organizations: PNC Bank, Finance, CNBC, Federal Bureau of Investigation, PNC, FBI, Social, Department of Justice's, Vanguard Group, Federal, Consumer Finances, AARP, Microsoft, Department of Energy, Guaranty Corporation, U.S, North Dakota ., Everest Base, Social Security, North Bethesda Camera, PNC Bank —, District of Columbia, Bloomberg, Getty, National Consumer Law, Signature Bank, Asset Unit Locations: Chevy Chase , Maryland, U.S, Vietnam, Mount Everest, North Dakota, liquidating, Nepal, Marjorie Bloom Maryland, District, —, Maryland, PNC, New York, Cayman Islands, Washington ,

☆ NextEra workers roll the dice with big bet on company stock
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Tim Mclaughlin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

America’s largest renewable power company is among several U.S. energy and utility companies, including Exxon and Southern Company, that continue to promote big, concentrated bets on company stock in worker retirement plans. Nearly 50% of the investments in NextEra’s employee-funded 401(k) retirement plan are in company stock, the highest among all 30 companies in the S&P 500 Utilities Sector (.SPLRCU). NextEra declined to comment on its use of company stock in employee 401(k) plans. "If we saw a concentration of more than 20% in a single company stock, we would definitely tell them it's a big risk." `Keith Rasmussen, a retired geologist, said he still feels the financial repercussions of holding big bets on company stock in his retirement plans.

Persons: Robert Knoche, Yoon, NextEra, ”, Alicia Munnell, Kristin McKenna, McKenna, Ryan Frazier, Keith Rasmussen, jolt, Rasmussen, “, ” Rasmussen, Richard Valdmanis, Anna Driver Organizations: REUTERS, Exxon, Southern Company, Corporate America, Enron, Utilities, Vanguard Group, Center for Retirement Research, Boston College, Employees, Silicon Valley Bank, Darrow Wealth Management, SEC, Corporations, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Southern Co, Dominion Energy Inc, Dominion, Chesapeake Energy Corp, Thomson Locations: Douglas County , Kansas, U.S, Silicon, Boston, Atlanta , Georgia

☆ This account is like an ‘extra strength’ Roth IRA, advisor says. Here's when to use it
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

That means a saver would generally rarely if ever pay tax on their HSA money, unlike retirement accounts such as a pre-tax or Roth IRA. Because health-care costs are "inevitable" in old age, the HSA functions like "an off-label account for retirement preparation," Vargas said. Anyone who can afford to do so should try to pay out of pocket for current health costs and allow HSA investments to grow, advisors say. The IRS counts qualified medical expenses as those generally eligible for the medical and dental expenses tax deduction. For example, if a saver has credit-card debt, paying that down would take priority over funding an HSA, McClanahan said.

Persons: Carolyn McClanahan, Vargas, Roth, HSAs, they'd, Luis Alvarez, McClanahan, Sabino Vargas Organizations: Maskot, Getty, Roth IRA, IRS, Digitalvision, Workers, Planning Partners, IRA, Vanguard Locations: Jacksonville , Florida

☆ Exclusive: Masimo shareholders poised to elect Politan's two director nominees to board -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Vanguard Group, one of Masimo's largest shareholders, has backed both Politan nominees, two sources said. The company, which is currently valued at $8.5 billion, is expected to make preliminary voting results public later on Monday. A representative for Politan declined to comment, and a representative for Masimo was not immediately available for comment. The hedge fund, founded by Koffey, received backing from proxy advisory firms Institutional Shareholders Services and Glass Lewis two weeks ago when both urged shareholders to elect the Politan nominees. In the end, Masimo reversed course and dropped the requirements after Politan sued in Delaware court.

Persons: Quentin Koffey, Michelle Brennan, Masimo, Koffey, Glass Lewis, Politan, Svea Herbst, Bayliss, Leslie Adler Organizations: YORK, Masimo, Politan Capital Management, Vanguard Group, Vanguard, Sound United, Shareholders Services, ISS, Svea, Thomson Locations: Delaware

☆ 401(k) plans have never been hotter. That’s changing the stock market
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The bill, signed into law late last year, requires employers to automatically enroll all eligible workers into their retirement plans at a savings rate of 3% of salary. Americans had pension plans, Social Security benefits, and their own savings through plans like the 401(k). Those funds tend to be controlled by large asset managers. But through a process called proxy voting, large asset managers are able to vote on shareholder resolutions on behalf of their clients. Asset managers have “significant influence over company practices,” wrote shareholder advocacy group ShareAction in a recent report.

Persons: New York CNN —, That’s, ”, Dave Stinnett, What’s, ShareAction, Tesla, Torsten Slok Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, BlackRock, Vanguard Group, Fidelity Investments, Street Global Advisors, Vanguard, Social Security, Social, Social Security Agency, Security, Lawmakers, Blackrock, Fidelity, Boston University School of Law, Harvard Law School, Vanda Research, EV, Apollo Global Management Locations: New York, United States

☆ Time is running out to repay Covid-era 401(k), IRA withdrawals — and claim a tax refund
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hundreds of thousands took distributionsData suggests hundreds of thousands of people took coronavirus-related distributions — and that few have repaid it. Nearly 6% of investors in workplace retirement plans took a CRD in 2020, according to internal administrative data from Vanguard Group. That amounts to about 268,000 people out of 4.7 million retirement investors for whom Vanguard provided administrative services that year. Amended return necessary to claim refundInvestors who repay all or part of their CRD by the three-year deadline must file an amended tax return to claim a tax refund, according to the IRS. This person would have to file an amended tax return for each year.

Persons: Sean Deviney, Deviney Organizations: Vanguard Group, Vanguard, IRS, Investors Locations: Fort Lauderdale , Florida

☆ Vanguard fined for providing misleading account statements to its customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Jaiveer Shekhawat | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 1 (Reuters) - Vanguard Group, the world's largest issuer of mutual funds, was fined and censured by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for errors appearing in about 8.5 million customer account statements. "From at least October 2019 to June 2021, certain VMC account statements inaccurately presented market appreciation/depreciation and investment returns," the filing said. The regulatory organization said Vanguard "accepts and consents" without admitting or denying the findings and the sanctions will come into effect on a later date to be determined by FINRA. FINRA said a technical issue caused the errors and further added it did not affect customers' actual returns. After FINRA began its investigation, Vanguard self-reported to the regulatory organization's staff that other errors affected the presentation on certain account statements, according to the filing.

Persons: FINRA, Jaiveer Singh, Jonathan Stempel, Krishna Chandra Organizations: Vanguard Group, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Vanguard, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru, New York

☆ How to invest in the S&P 500 — a guide to the funds that mimic the influential index's makeup and moves
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Martin Daks | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

After tracking the S&P 500 from 1965 to 2021, Berkshire Hathaway found the compound annual gain in the S&P 500 was 10.5%. In the case of S&P 500 index funds, the stocks are those of the companies listed in the S&P 500. With 500+ stocks in their portfolio, S&P 500 funds are especially diversified, their securities representing a range of industries. With 500+ stocks in their portfolio, S&P 500 funds are especially diversified, their securities representing a range of industries. The diversified, passive approach of S&P 500 funds — like most index funds — means an investor's downside is generally limited.

May 8 (Reuters) - Vanguard Group, the largest provider of mutual funds, has secured regulatory approval to continue to own big stakes in U.S. power utilities, overcoming Republican concerns over its environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies. Regulators had previously allowed Vanguard to exceed that antitrust limit on the basis that this would not interfere with the utilities' operations. Vanguard countered that its funds do not exert control over the decisions of the utilities. Vanguard reiterated in a statement on Monday that it leaves "management decisions to companies and policy decisions to policymakers." A representative for Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, one of the leaders of the group challenging the FERC extension, said he would comment in coming days.

☆ Factbox: Industry targets of U.S. Republicans' anti-ESG efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Here is a look at major efforts and, in some cases, their impact on specific industries. In addition, legislation pending in states, including Texas and Florida, aims to limit the consideration of ESG factors by pension funds, which could cut off fund firms from public contracts. Top fund firms such as BlackRock Inc (BLK.N) and State Street Corp (STT.N) - both NZAM members - have said their ESG efforts only support clients concerns, for instance the view that climate change poses investment risks. Several of the bills have been passed into law in states including Mississippi and West Virginia. Republicans failed to gain control of the U.S. Senate in elections held Nov. 8, however, limiting their investigative powers.

"Climate change is an existential risk and a risk to investor returns," said John Galloway, who oversees the Pennsylvania firm's engagement and proxy voting at portfolio companies, in an interview by teleconference. Galloway said in practice the proposal, which won 42% support, would have required a wholesale change to Valero's business, a decision best left to the board. "A proposal that’s asking a company to make a change that’s changing its strategy is not a proposal we're likely to support," Galloway said. U.S. Republican politicians applauded the move as responsive to their efforts to counter many companies' treatment of environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. Galloway said the decision was driven with an eye on the varied views of its largely retail client base.

☆ What Is a Money Market Fund?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

“Money market funds have become a much more interesting place,” says Jay McLaughlin, institutional sales manager for iMoneyNet, a research firm that follows the money market fund industry. How money market funds workThe first thing for investors to understand is that money market funds are mutual funds, not bank accounts. Municipal money market fundsMunicipal money market funds appeal to many high-income investors because of their tax-exempt nature. One popular muni money market fund is the $17 billion Vanguard Municipal money market Fund (VMSXX) and its current 7-day yield of 2.65%—a yield which on its face is lower than other fund types, but after taxes are considered, can actually be higher for some investors. How to get the best money market fund ratesTypically your stock trading platform may have a default money market fund for its clients, established at your initial sign-up, as a kind of placeholder to keep your cash.

Meanwhile, Republicans, many from energy-producing states, have raised a growing chorus of challenges on ESG. The latest letter built on concerns many of the same attorneys general brought to BlackRock last August. This can be a problem for fund participants who do not share ESG goals, the Republicans wrote. Another section of the Republicans' letter cites several pending shareholder resolutions that ask corporations to dial back the use of Vanguard Group retirement plan funds because of Vanguard's fossil fuel holdings. "Asset managers voting for the exclusion of one of their competitors has clear antitrust implications," the letter states.

Companies Vanguard Group Inc FollowMarch 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand's financial markets regulator issued a warning to U.S. fund giant Vanguard Group on Wednesday for failing to disclose details within the required time over infringement notices filed against it in Australia for alleged greenwashing. These funds were also offered to New Zealand investors via a mutual recognition scheme but Vanguard missed the deadline by nearly two months to notify the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) about the action by ASIC, Australia's securities regulator, it said. "Vanguard Australia regrets our oversight in failing to comply with our notification obligations to the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand," a spokesperson said in an emailed response. Vanguard failed to identify its obligations and did not have adequate processes in place to ensure that it filed the required notice within the required period, FMA said in a statement. Vanguard's breach, if not addressed, could harm the integrity of an agreement between Australia and New Zealand over market offerings, it added.

☆ Why moving in retirement can earn you an extra $100,000 — or more
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Getty ImagesMoving in retirement can unlock a big pot of money to help fund those post-work years. The typical person at the top 10th percentile made even more money — $347,000 — by using the "retire and relocate" strategy, Vanguard found. A quarter of all U.S. retirees have "the potential to shore up their retirement funding" by moving to a cheaper market, the report estimates. watch nowThis isn't necessarily a strategy Americans should use as the linchpin of their retirement savings strategy, however. "[However], if you're thinking of moving from a major metro area in one state to another, and your housing costs will be half, in general that's not going to be the case," Jenkin said.

☆ Fed Rate Policy Is Shaking Up the World of Muni Debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Heather Gillers | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Concerns that the Federal Reserve will continue to increase rates have affected municipal fund inflows. The markets’ bumpy start to 2023 is causing whiplash even in the historically placid realm of state and local government debt. Municipal bonds this month have erased nearly all of their January gains after fears of rate increases cooled investor appetites. “It has been a roller coaster,” said Nathan Will , head of municipal credit research at Vanguard Group.

☆ GOP lawmakers vilify ESG moves at BlackRock, Vanguard but take their money nonetheless
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

But Republicans have vilified BlackRock, Vanguard Group and State Street for leading the push on Wall Street to promote clean energy and what GOP lawmakers often title "left-wing social priorities." Still, many Republican lawmakers received money from the very firms their party is criticizing. It was the third election cycle in a row that both lawmakers took donations from the firm's PAC. Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., received $10,000 from BlackRock and a combined $6,500 from Vanguard and State Street in the 2022 cycle. Huizenga's spokesman Brian Patrick said the donations won't affect the lawmaker's position on ESG issues.

The withdrawal is the first by a foreign asset manager that has submitted an application for a China mutual fund license, as rising Sino-U.S. tensions cloud the prospects for foreign businesses in the world's second-biggest economy. China in 2020 removed foreign ownership caps in its mutual fund industry, allowing global asset managers such as BlackRock and Fidelity to set up fully owned retail fund units. It’s not publicly known how much the firm had planned to invest in the China business. Richard Tang, who was hired to lead Van Eck's China mutual fund unit, is on leave but has not officially terminate his role within the company, according to two sources. China only saw 1.8% growth in the size of its mutual fund market last year, ending a years-long streak of double-digit annual expansion.

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