Investing April 14, 2016

March Flows Spell Positive Quarter for Mutual Funds

Passive funds continued to drive the strongest inflows, according to Strategic Insight. 

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Monthly mutual fund flow data published by Strategic Insight (SI), an Asset International company, shows inflows of $46.7 billion to long-term mutual funds during March lifted “quarterly long-term non-VA ’40 Act fund flows” to $54.3 billion for the first quarter of 2016.

Passive funds continued to drive even stronger inflows, SI finds, attracting $47.4 billion during the month and totaling $83.4 billion on the quarter.

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U.S. equity funds netted $7.4 billion during March, ending the month in positive net flow territory for the second time in the trailing 12 months. Outflows from active U.S. equity persisted, SI finds, totaling $13.6 billion in March. International equity funds netted $2.6 billion on demand for index exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds, while passive emerging market stock funds attracted $5.8 billion during the month.

The SI data shows that among broad asset classes, taxable bond funds led monthly net inflows, collecting $31.1 billion on strong demand for both active and passive corporate bond exposure. Municipal bond funds continued to see steady positive net investment, attracting $5.6 billion during the month and lifting quarterly net inflows to $16 billion. As of March, net new investment to bond funds year-to-date totals $55.7 billion.

Monthly net redemptions from money-market funds totaled $13.4 billion.

More information on obtaining Strategic Insight research is at www.sionline.com. 

Products April 14, 2016

Video Series Focuses on Women’s Personal Finances

Lincoln Financial Group has launched a video interview series about women and personal finance.
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Lincoln Financial Group has created a new video series designed to start a dialogue about personal finance issues that women face.

The first installment features three financial planning tips for women from Elizabeth Liechty, who is senior partner and founder of Charter Financial Group, as well as a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors and board member of Lincoln Financial’s WISE (Women Inspiring, Supporting, Educating) group.

“Our M.O.O.D of America survey found that 48% of women feel comfortable having conversations about their finances versus 54% of their male counterparts,” Liechty says. “We want to get women engaged in financial planning, and feel[ing] empowered in the process so we can help drive that figure higher.”

In the video, Liechty discusses how to create a financial road map, choose the right financial adviser and start financial planning early. She suggests women review spending and saving habits; find advisers through online resources and referrals from friends; and think about the future now to ensure they meet their financial goals and leave a legacy to the next generation. 

The video is available here.

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