Mutual fund cos. to fight more holdings disclosure.(Brief Article)

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said it is considering new rules to compel mutual funds to disclose the contents of their investment portfolios on a monthly basis.

Mutual fund companies, most notably Boston-based financial services behemoth Fidelity Investments, have opposed the rules, fearing that monthly disclosure would be tantamount to giving away their investment strategy for free while raising the price of stocks and bonds they want to buy. Also, releasing volumes of information, in addition to what already is made public, would increase funds' costs substantially, they said.

However, supporters, led by a former Clinton administration official, downplayed the industry criticism, saying the rules would greatly benefit mutual fund investors by making clear how results are achieved.

One …