Corporate Finance

The relentless rise in government bond yields in the United States and around the world may represent the “new normal” for both investors and companies.

A federal judge in Texas ruled that the company violated its ERISA duties by not focusing “on the best financial benefit” for its 401(k) plan—the biggest victory yet in a case involving ESG investing.

“Issuers are taking advantage of calm markets, low volatility, and tight spreads before Trump’s tariffs might spoil the party. ... For a record amount of issuance, there must also be a large amount of investors ready to put money at work. This is indeed the case.”

Ex-employees are suing Verizon, as well as State Street Global Advisors, which served as the “independent fiduciary” in putting together the deal to manage the pensions of 56,000 retirees.

The online retailer has been hit with a class-action lawsuit, alleging it violated its ERISA fiduciary duties by using forfeited 401(k) funds to offset company contributions instead of reducing administrative fees for participants.

The lawsuit alleged that UnitedHealth CFO John Rex interfered with the company’s decision to drop “one of the worst-performing target-date options in the entire market.”

SAG-AFTRA Health Plan, which provides healthcare benefits to eligible members of the entertainment industry, was hit with three class actions in California following a data breach incident that occurred in September.

Employees of Seattle-based Weyerhaeuser Company filed a class-action lawsuit over the transfer of plan assets to Athene Annuity & Life Assurance, alleging a breach of fiduciary duty, according to law firm Schlichter Bogard.