We hit a milestone just recently, although it’s certainly not one we wanted to hit.

Did you know that 89 percent of advisors who are looking for independence want more autonomy over their business, and nearly all of them want higher payouts? In Demystifying the Independent Channel, the first white paper in a four-part series from Cerulli Associates, you’ll find a further breakdown of which advisors seek independence, and why. You'll also discover what it really means to manage your own business, and how advisors can make a successful transition.

Markets stabilized in May after one of the worst months since the start of the pandemic.

Yesterday was another bad down day in the markets.

April was a hard month for the markets.

As more and more people approach their golden years, you may see a shift in your practice—from a focus on accumulation and growth to one of income and distribution. It’s important that you’re prepared to not only ensure that your clients have enough to live comfortably, but to help them properly allocate the assets they have.

The economy seems to be doing well, with job growth still at high levels, consumer spending still healthy, and businesses continuing to invest.

Markets rebounded in March, but it was not enough to offset earlier losses in January and February.

We saw a bit of a bounce in stock markets in March, but not enough to recover from a terrible first quarter.

All compliance teams are bound by the same rules, but it’s how they create policies to comply with those rules that may make them different.

In this white paper, you’ll learn:

• How to define your ideal compliance partnership
• Which questions to ask about potential firms’ compliance teams
• How to use practical resources to help your evaluation
• What an ongoing relationship should look like

We’ve talked a lot about higher interest rates and what they mean for the market.

Yesterday, I laid out why I am not concerned, in general, about what a yield curve inversion means for the economy, while still being very aware of the increasing risks.

Have you experienced sticker shock at the pump recently?

You may think that going independent means you’ll have less time for client interactions—after all, you’ll have an office to run. Well, that’s not true for breakaway advisors who partner with the right firm. A recent study from Cerulli Associates breaks down how much time breakaway advisors save by choosing a collaborative firm partner.

Recent equity market volatility is being partially attributed to potential Fed tightening, as the Fed has signaled a shift from an accommodative monetary policy stance to one that is more restrictive.

I have been holding off on commenting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict until some sort of resolution occurred.

How do advisors leave the employer-based channel stress free? John Pratti did it by finding a collaborative partner who was right for him. Learn how his move to independence and client focus led to revenue growth and a better work-life balance. You’ll take a deep dive into what drove John’s need for change, how Commonwealth supported his goals, and how he more than doubled his fee-based AUM since joining!

Over the past decade, interest in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing has grown dramatically.

January was a terrible month.

The official jobs report comes out this Friday. Expectations are for another slowdown, with about 175,000 jobs added, down from 199,000 in December.

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine are showing no signs of abating.

On February 1, China bids farewell to the Year of the Ox and rings in the Year of the Tiger.

The panic of the day is the news about interest rates.

We are just starting earnings season, when companies will be reporting how much money they made in the fourth quarter of last year.

What’s in store for the markets and economy? According to Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan and his A-team of analysts, the recovery is no longer dancing to the tune of the pandemic. While the emerging Omicron variant and factors like the Fed’s tightening of monetary policy make for uncertainty, the team outlines the upside possibilities for regaining balance and redefining normal in the year ahead.

As we closed out 2021, the world looked both different from a year ago and very much the same. Another wave of the virus was underway, with a new variant that may be even worse than the one before.

High-net-worth clients can play an integral role in the profitability of your advisory practice. Are you prepared to meet their multifaceted financial planning needs? Follow this guide for a walkthrough of advanced wealth management strategies, including estate planning, special needs care planning, asset protection, and charitable giving.

Inflation and what it means for investing is one of the biggest issues I have been hearing about recently. The topic can generate quite a bit of anxiety. But before we start to worry, let’s take some time to understand what actually happens when inflation hits the economy. Then we can panic—or not.

What really happens when you go fee-only and run your own RIA? The Road to RIA-Only: One Firm’s Journey follows the story of two advisors who are doing both. In it, they speak candidly about the highs and lows of the experience and offer advice for others considering a similar path.

It’s been a while, but it’s time for another COVID update. Compared with a month ago, the medical situation continues to improve, which is good news, although there are reasons to be concerned over the next month or two.

After a great start to the quarter in July and August, September was when the storms hit. Here in the U.S., markets pulled back significantly.

Clients looking to give to charity often already know where they want their money to go based on a personal connection or passion for a particular cause. Where they’ll need your help is deciding how to make those donations.

A Quick Guide to Charitable Giving Options reviews a variety of giving methods—offering potential benefits and other considerations for each—and includes a glossary of related terms. With it, you’ll be better equipped to help your clients find the right giving method based on their philanthropic goals.

For those who haven’t heard, global markets slumped yesterday as a Chinese real estate developer, Evergrande, was reported to be approaching bankruptcy. For many, this news brings to mind the great financial crisis of 2008.

U.S. equity markets continued to rally in August, with all three major indices setting new record highs during the month. We did see some midmonth volatility, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.50 percent, while the S&P 500 experienced a 3.04 percent gain.

You’ve put time and effort into cultivating great relationships with your clients. As you prepare to leave the wirehouse for independence, learn how to mitigate risk, announce your departure, and create a seamless transition process for your assets.

My colleague Sam Millette, manager, fixed income, on Commonwealth’s Investment Management and Research team, has helped me put together this month’s Market Risk Update.

Breaking away from your wirehouse is a life-changing decision. If you know it’s the best move for you and your clients, you’ve taken the first big step. We can help you with what comes next. Download our guide to learn about picking an affiliation model, choosing the right firm to partner with, and starting a new business.

Yesterday was an interesting day.

What’s the story for the rest of the year? In his Midyear Outlook 2021, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan says it will depend on whether the economy can find its way through a maze of problems—including rising inflation, labor shortages, and supply-chain gaps. Despite these risks, we’ve made real progress, and a return to normal could soon be in sight.

If we could travel back in time to the beginning of 2020, many of us would be surprised at how good things were.

The regular meeting of the Fed starts today.