Commentary

Looking Back at the Markets in May and Ahead to June 2023

After a continued rally in April, markets largely pulled back in May. Exceptions here were the Nasdaq, which rose, and the S&P 500, which was essentially flat.

White Paper

6 Reasons to Leave the Wirehouse

Being a financial advisor at a wirehouse can often feel like you’re living by someone else’s rules. The things that make your business approach unique can get lost in continuously shifting corporate goals and predetermined career paths. Download our infographic and learn six ways working at a wirehouse is holding you back—and why partnering with Commonwealth can make the transition worth the effort.

Commentary

Looking Back at the Markets in April and Ahead to May 2023

After moderate gains in March, markets continued to rally in April. U.S. markets were up by low single digits, while bond markets were moderately positive. International markets were mixed, with developed markets showing modest gains while emerging markets ticked down.

Commentary

What the Fed Will Do—and Why

The big economic story today will be the end of the regular meeting of the Fed and what it decides to do about interest rates. Markets are expecting a 25 bp increase, to a range of 5 percent to 5.25 percent, with a slight bet on no hike at all.

Commentary

All Eyes on Earnings Season: What to Expect for Q1 2023

We are at the start of the period when companies release their results for the first quarter of 2023, known as earnings season. With everything going on—inflation, rate hikes, a labor shortage, the weakness of the dollar, a pending recession, the list goes on and on...

Commentary

The Case Against the Collapse of the Dollar

I have been getting a lot of questions around the dollar in recent weeks. De-dollarization seems to be a thing, as do central bank digital currencies, along with the latest round of worries about what the government is going to do to our savings.

Commentary

Strong Jobs Report Could Spell Trouble for Markets

There is a lot riding on the monthly jobs report, which comes out tomorrow. For the economy, more jobs are good: more workers, more wage income, more spending ability, and so forth. There’s no real downside.

Commentary

Looking Back at the Markets in Q1 and Ahead to Q2 2023

After a weak February, markets rallied in March. U.S. markets were up by low single digits, while bond markets were in the same range. International markets also showed modest gains, with developed markets about the same as the U.S. and emerging markets doing slightly better.

White Paper

A Blueprint for Building an Enduring Practice

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your practice to the next level, having a clear plan to grow now and in the future is vital. From outsourcing business solutions to building a talent pipeline, there are strategic considerations you can take today to keep your business thriving for many years to come.

Commentary

Pay Attention When the Job Growth Dog Barks

There has been surprisingly little worry reported by advisors and readers in the past couple of weeks.

Commentary

Market Focus Moves from the Fed to Financial Crisis

Yesterday, the Fed completed its regular meeting and announced that it would increase interest rates by 25 bps, or a quarter percentage point.

White Paper

Identifying Inflection Points in Your Business

Whether you run a solo practice or a multiadvisor firm, if you’re looking to take your business to the next level, it’s time to decide if you’re at a critical growth juncture and what that means for your future.

White Paper

How to Command the Best Purchase Price for Your Business

Selling your practice is a process, not an event. So it’s critical to take the time—at least five years—to prepare your business and effectively position it to be bought at maximum value. How to Command the Best Purchase Price for Your Business provides key strategies to help you transform your practice into one that’s bought, not sold.

White Paper

2023 Economic and Market Outlook

What could go wrong—or right—for the economy and market in 2023? A lot, it turns out. Read Commonwealth’s Outlook for more on what they’ll be watching and why CIO Brad McMillan says he sees brighter skies ahead.

Video

Breakaway Implications: The Impact Your Firm Partner Can Have on Efficiency