Commentaries
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S&P 500 Snapshot: Down 0.65% from Last Week
Treasury Snapshot: 10-Year Yield at 2.19%
ECRI Weekly Leading Index: "Womenomics Falls Short for Japan"
Michigan Consumer Sentiment: August Preliminary Highest Since January
The Big Four Economic Indicators: Industrial Production Rose 0.2% in July
The Philly Fed ADS Business Conditions Index Update
Conference Board Leading Economic Index: Continued Increases in July, Another All-Time High
Secular Trends in Residential Building Permits and Housing Starts
Philly Fed Manufacturing Index: Continued Advancement in August
Weekly Unemployment Claims: Down 12K, Beats Forecast
Articles
Seven Reasons Why Advisors Should Use Bond Ladders
I often hear criticisms about the use of bond ladders. Whenever the criticism comes from professional advisors, however, I’ve noticed it generally involves firms that use only bond mutual funds or ETFs instead of individual, tailored bond portfolios, whether in the form of a bond ladder or not. Unfortunately, much – if not all – of this criticism is based on falsehoods and the conflicts that can arise when advisors employ only mutual funds and ETFs.
The Awesome Power of Giving Away Your Expertise
Every one of my coaching clients asks the same question: What works and what doesn’t when it comes to generating new leads? Most have had experience (often at considerable expense) with marketing that fits into the latter category. Here’s the activity I’ve found works best.
Strategies for Motivating Team Members
We have been hearing grumblings that some of our longer term people believe they are being overlooked. As far as career pathing there aren’t many other places they can go.
White Papers
Six Ratios for Benchmarking Your Practice
One of the trickiest aspects of being a financial advisor is simultaneously navigating your dual responsibilities as both a financial advisor and business owner. In order to gain a well-rounded perspective of your firm’s performance, there are several key metrics you should use to assess and interpret its financial health. We’ve outlined six ratios that will offer deeper and more valuable insights into where you stand and help you maximize your firm's performance.
Five Ways to Grow Your Business Beyond Your Book
Often, in an effort to serve their clients, advisors neglect their own business. However, growth in business is imperative. There’s even a popular saying: “If you aren’t growing, you’re dying.” One of our core goals at Kestra Financial is to help you maximize the value of your business. We work one-on-one, encouraging you to manage your business as a personal asset with the same level of care and diligence as you manage client assets. We help you find the time and tools to work on your business not just in it. When evaluating the health of your practice, here are five key areas to jump-start your growth plan:
Pricing Your Advisory Business
Take a fresh look at pricing your advisory business. Download our free guide to learn how small changes to your fee structure can have a big impact on your bottom line, protect you against market downturns and withdrawals, and entice clients to consolidate more assets with your firm.
Fiscal Policy to the Forefront
Despite a risk-friendly market environment and high levels of business sentiment, U.S. gross domestic product continues to struggle to grow about 2%. Pacific Funds portfolio managers discuss the current market environment, fiscal and regulatory policy, and their broad positioning for the second half of 2017.
