The Charles Schwab Corporation - SCHW STOCK NEWS

New insights from Schwab Retirement Plan Services highlight the growing demand for virtual retirement education, particularly post-pandemic. In 2020, a significant 207% increase in attendance for on-demand sessions was reported. Virtual options enhanced convenience for employers, leading to a 57% drop in meeting cancellations. Attendance for holistic personal finance topics surged by 54%, indicating a shift in worker preferences. Overall, the trend towards virtual education is likely to continue, shaping future retirement planning strategies.

Charles Schwab Investment Management announced the Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) set to begin trading around April 29, 2021. With an operating expense ratio of 0.14%, it positions itself as a low-cost option for investors seeking exposure to international dividend equities. This ETF will track the Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index, expanding Schwab's suite of ETFs to 26. The launch responds to rising demand for income-focused investment strategies, particularly among Baby Boomers.

The Charles Schwab Corporation announced a public offering of depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series J, with a liquidation preference of $1,000. The company aims to use net proceeds to redeem some of its outstanding Series C Preferred Stock. BofA Securities, Credit Suisse, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo are the joint book-running managers for the offering, complying with SEC regulations. This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to various risks and uncertainties.

The ETF Investor Study by Charles Schwab reveals a significant increase in ETF investments among individual investors. The study shows that ETF allocations in portfolios are expected to rise from 29% to 38% over five years. A remarkable 94% of current ETF investors plan to continue purchasing, while 45% of non-ETF investors are likely to consider ETFs. Millennials lead in ETF adoption, with 29% planning significant investments in the next year. Key factors for interest include diversification (60%) and ease of transactions (49%).

Charles Schwab Investment Management announced that the Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index Fund (SFNNX) received a 2021 US Refinitiv Lipper Fund Award for outstanding performance, marking the fourth consecutive year of recognition for its Fundamental Index fund suite. The fund was ranked best-in-class among 43 peers for a five-year period ending November 30, 2020. David Botset, SVP of Product Strategy, emphasized the importance of diversification in investing, noting the fund's low-cost complement to traditional strategies, aiming to help investors achieve financial goals.

The Charles Schwab Corporation reported strong performance in its February 2021 Monthly Activity Report. The company attracted $51.4 billion in net new assets, with a total client asset portfolio reaching $6.90 trillion, marking a 79% year-over-year increase. New brokerage accounts surged to 1.2 million, reflecting a substantial rise of over 200% compared to February 2020. This growth is partially influenced by the acquisition of TD Ameritrade, completed in October 2020.

Charles Schwab's SDBA Indicators Report reveals a 13% year-over-year increase in average account balances to $331,664, with a 31% gain since Q1 2020 lows. Equities hold 35% of assets, with major allocations to large-cap mutual funds and U.S. equity ETFs. Advised accounts average $517,849 vs. non-advised at $288,513. Baby Boomers lead in SDBA balances. The report uses data from around 161,000 retirement plan participants.

Schwab Advisor Services launched its inaugural virtual Technology Forum, bringing together over 150 technology professionals from the independent advisor sector. The event highlighted Schwab's commitment to enhancing its technology platform through third-party integrations, showcasing a new developer portal for streamlined API development. The company reported a 100% increase in API integration partners over the past three years, with over 250 active integrations. Future collaborations aim to unify the Schwab and TD Ameritrade technology platforms, enhancing services for independent investment advisors.