Smith Barney has agreed to settle a class action alleging that the firm loaded up
customers of its broker-managed fee-based accounts with stocks of investment banking clients.
Assets invested in variable annuities have been growing at a faster rate recently than those in mutual funds. Unfortunately, many people are investing in annuities without understanding them.
As more investors turn to index funds, brokers and other fund salespeople continue to invent arguments favoring non-index funds, the kind they want you to buy.
Who gives you financial advice? Why does it matter how he or she is paid? Because it’s probably the most important thing determining the quality of advice you receive.