Financial Research Corporation

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2012 Research Calendar

recent studies

recent studies


Future Outlook for Lifecycle Funds

Insights into Emerging Trends and Growth Opportunities FRC’s second study on the lifecycle fund marketplace provides a competitive analysis for both target-date and target-risk funds. In this study, FRC examines the current landscape, reviews emerging trends, and provides specific recommendations for firms that are already in or seeking to enter this increasingly competitive market. Designed as a reference guide, this study contains four main sections:

Profiles—Lifecycle Product by Provider
The industry’s most comprehensive and user-friendly review of the 70 leading target-date and target-risk providers, capturing performance benchmarks, highlighting top-selling funds and market share, evaluating asset allocations, fee and expense structures, and providing an in-depth analysis of strengths and weaknesses for each fund series.

Analysis—Product Trends
An overview of past, present, and future developments in the lifecycle fund industry, including new product introductions, alternative pricing approaches, and changes in market share rankings.

Survey Results—Advisor and Recordkeeper
FRC provides insights into the selection and use of lifecycle funds by recordkeepers and advisors, shedding light on how these key players position lifecycle funds on their platforms and to their clients.

Future Landscape of Lifecycle Funds Based on data analysis and survey results, FRC postulates emerging market trends and provides best practices for firms looking to build and sell targeted offerings. This section also includes an assessment of additional product structures outside of the ’40 Act, such as insurance, 529 plans, and variable annuities.

This report was created for product development managers at manufacturers, consultants for large DC plan sponsors, DC recordkeepers, DC advice providers, and sales executives at distributors.

Download the study table of contents.pdf

For more information contact FRC today at 617-963-8967 or e-mail frcinfo@frcnet.com