The best investor education resources from 21 leading non-profit, governmental and self-regulatory associations and agencies. AIE provides investors with access to a full range of information needed to make wise investment decisions. http://www.investoreducation.org/inveduweek en-us Fri, 9 May 2008 19:34:33 -0500 FPA: Despite their tarnished reputation due to questionable sales tactics, high expenses and weaker investment performance compared with mutual funds, popular variable annuities (VA) with "living benefit" riders may still be a sound choice for some retirees, concludes an article in the May 2008 issue of the Journal of Financial Planning, published monthly by the Financial Planning Association. In his article, "A Context for Considering Variable Annuities with Living Benefit Riders,"  John H. Robinson examines how the investment performance of a particular type of VA rider stacks up against an index mutual fund as each tries to weather two bear markets.... ]]> http://www.investoreducation.org/inveduweek.cfm#345 FiPA: The "It" equity -- the exchange-traded mutual fund -- is no spring chicken. It's been around since the early 1990s. But ETFs are still turning heads. It's no wonder: The combination of index investing with the handiness --- and lower costs -- of individual stock ownership is irresistible. Are ETFs a good match for your portfolio? "Exchange-traded" refers to shares that trade all day long on the major stock market exchanges (just like regular stocks, although ETFs are found mainly on the American Stock Exchange). "Funds" are investing vehicles that hold dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of companies under one umbrella unified by a particular investing theme (such as companies that comprise the Dow or ones whose main business is in the biotech industry). For more, see this story from The Motley Fool ...]]> http://www.investoreducation.org/inveduweek.cfm#344 FINRA: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has issued an Investor Alert warning investors about the risks of speculating on natural disasters with event-linked securities, such as catastrophe bonds or "cat bonds." Cat bonds offer high yields but can quickly lose most or all of their value if a triggering event, such as a hurricane, earthquake or pandemic, occurs in specified geographical regions. The new Investor Alert, "Catastrophe Bonds and Other Event-Linked Securities," describes how event-linked securities work and helps investors determine whether and to what extent the funds they hold invest in these securities ... ]]> http://www.investoreducation.org/inveduweek.cfm#343 SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the launch of its latest offensive targeting online boiler rooms, cold calls, and other potentially fraudulent financial solicitations circulating to unsuspecting investors. Such solicitations often use phony claims of SEC registration, false U.S. addresses, or endorsements from make-believe government agencies or international organizations to make their investment opportunities appear more credible. Some also falsely claim to be affiliated with established brokerage firms. The SEC's initiative is called "PAUSE" for Public Alert: Unregistered Soliciting Entities ... ]]> http://www.investoreducation.org/inveduweek.cfm#342 NFA: In conjunction with Chicago's Seventh Annual Money Smart Week (April 20-26), National Futures Association (NFA) is co-sponsor three upcoming events designed to teach investors how to avoid becoming victims of investment fraud. NFA staff will present "Don't Become a Victim of Investment Fraud" at two Chicago Public Library locations.  Attendees will learn how to tell a legitimate investment sales pitch from a fake one, as well as what questions to ask and actions to take when reviewing any investment offer. Admission to the program is free ...  ]]> http://www.investoreducation.org/inveduweek.cfm#341