Household equity allocations are again sharply rising, as the “Fear Of Missing Out” or “F.O.M.O.” fuels a near panic mentality to chase markets higher.
Since their inception, exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue to grow their market share and popularity with investors. The tax efficiency for which they are known comes down to three primary mechanisms from which the vehicle wrapper benefits.
Global elections may lean towards nationalist policies that could hinder trade in goods via tariffs, but also boost growth in domestic industries to counter inflationary effects.
Let’s look at a few approaches to leadership that will be better suited to the current moment than the more traditional styles.
In a new piece, GMO’s long-term investment strategist Jeremy Grantham reexamines the ‘great paradox’ of the U.S. market.
The average expected return on asset (EROA) assumption for the largest U.S.-listed pension plan sponsors increased to 6.70% in 2023—the first time a year-over-year increase has been observed in 19 years of records.
Crypto exuberance is hitting overdrive thanks to the game-changing launch of Bitcoin ETFs — with seven issuers now pushing US regulators to greenlight funds tracking Ether, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency.
This lessening of government involvement, and the change in the corporate culture, together with a new or reinterpreted economic philosophy all combined to produce an unraveling of the United States that had for some time been incredibly materially productive for the benefit of all.
Not all investment returns are the same. Some are taxed at a higher rate than others. The Form 1099-DIV can help you analyze the Investment Tax Health of your clients. By looking at how much the investor received in different investment returns, you can calculate how much federal tax they will need to pay.
Losing a parent is devastating. Losing both in a short time creates a unique set of emotional and practical challenges.
In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people with the means to do so left New York City and New York state. With state finances in particular highly dependent on high earners’ income taxes, this was a worrying development.
The second-largest stock market has captured the interest of investors, supported by stronger, more broad-based earnings, and incentivized by Japan's fiscal and monetary policies.
When it comes to differentiating your message, here are some tips we offer our clients.
In the first installment of this series, I pledged to unveil a retirement strategy with such merit that it warrants widespread adoption by the investment advisor community. Let's delve into the compelling case for this approach.
For high income earners, a 4.5% after-tax return is equivalent to an 8%+ pre-tax return. Whole-life insurance can provide the same after-tax return of an investment with a higher pre-tax return – but without the higher investment risk.
Debt levels will likely continue to rise absent policy changes, and the yield curve is likely to steepen.
Your clients have their own sub language. The more you use their words, the more trust and rapport you will have.
If you’re a parent or grandparent, you may know of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” storybook series. Written in second person, they make “you” the hero.
Two seasoned investment professionals bring us up to date on the intersection of commercial real estate and bank lending.
While it may seem natural to entrust family members or close friends with an end-of-life choice, there are valid concerns about the emotional bias loved ones bring to decision-making.
We see the usual mess and risks in the world as you do, but we also are seeing more than enough interesting things in which to invest capital.
The private equity industry has rediscovered its mojo. The latest updates from the publicly traded firms specializing in the asset class satisfied investors’ appetite for bullish vibes from the leadership teams. As shares in alternative investment managers build on an already strong recovery, the risks of disappointment can only mount.
A roughly $61 trillion global benchmark of developed-market equities rose to an all-time high on Wednesday, with Wall Street’s technology behemoths leading the way.
Janus Henderson Investors Portfolio Managers Greg Wilensky and Jeremiah Buckley discuss what they consider the three essential elements of an effective balanced strategy in the current environment.
While the ability of humans to demonstrate empathy is invaluable, few appreciate the impact of “artificial empathy,” which is incorporated into AI and is likely to become more sophisticated.
To successfully navigate the minefield of acquisitions and consolidations, advisory clients should consider the cultural integration of an acquired firm and pay meticulous attention to the motives of the acquiring organization.
I received an email this past week concerning George Soros’ “Theory Of Reflexivity.” It’s an interesting question, and I have previously written about the “Theory of Reflexivity.” Notably, this theory begins to resurface whenever markets become exuberant.
I highlight six important ways advisors can best prepare to sell their RIA to an external third party.
The era of US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds is a chance to repair the decay in crypto markets caused by the collapse of the FTX exchange and its sister hedge fund Alameda Research, according to market makers.
A renewed sense of optimism emerged during the fourth quarter, sparking an increase in U.S. equity trading volumes and a rally in risk-on fixed income assets.
Income investors have an overwhelming number of investment options today. The menu ranges from traditional fixed income to equity investments like REITs to innovative covered call ETFs to more exotic vehicles.
The biggest recipients of the "great wealth transfer" aren't happy with their advisor. These investors – women and NextGen (GenX, millennial and Gen Z) prospects – seek a modern advisory relationship focused on a personal connection with an advisor who they can trust to understand their unique needs and help them achieve their financial and life goals.
According to McKinsey and Company’s research, an estimated $59 trillion will be passed down from baby boomers to their spouses and heirs in the next 40 years. By 2030, $30 trillion will be controlled by women.
With the great wealth transfer as the catalyst for change, advisors need to update their strategy and tactics to better connect with, retain and grow relationships with these clients who stand to inherit the bulk of the assets. Demographic shifts will drive the need for advisors to better understand how to connect with and support traditionally underrepresented groups.
As the stock market hit all-time highs this past week, there remains an interesting disconnect from the more dour economic concerns of the average American. A recent survey by Axios, a left-leaning website that supports the current Administration, addressed this issue.
The fourth quarter of 2023 was a more favorable environment for active managers in the UK, Europe, Emerging Markets, U.S. Small Cap and Listed Infrastructure, while being more challenging for U.S. Large Cap, Global, Global ex-U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, Long/Short and Global Real Estate managers.
The euro celebrates 25 years of virtual existence this month, with its digital creation in 1999 followed by the introduction of physical notes and coins in 2002. It's embedded successfully as the domestic means of exchange within the 20-nation euro zone.
One powerful and underutilized marketing strategy is client testimonials and reviews.
Financial advisors are gearing up for a successful year and preparing for client reviews. We offer four actionable ideas and practices to help advisors address some key concerns many investors are having about the year ahead.
Fast-money bears are feasting in the new-year equity selloff as traders recalibrate bets on the path of Federal Reserve policy.
Why we believe small companies present key opportunities to tap into the heart of innovation and expansion in emerging markets.
The January effect, named for the market anomaly where stock returns in January are typically higher than in other months, has been a subject of interest since it was first documented in 1942.
To be considered a best-in-class outsource trading provider, one must excel in many areas.
In December 2022, I published Sea Change, a memo that primarily discussed the 13-year period from the end of 2008, when the U.S. Federal Reserve cut the fed funds rate to zero to counter the effects of the Global Financial Crisis, to the end of 2021, when the Fed abandoned the idea that inflation was transitory and readied what turned out to be a rapid-fire succession of interest rate increases.
20 years into retirement, most retirees have spent only 20% of their savings. We talked to retired participants to understand why–and what it means for the next generation of retirees.
Our current 10-year outlook highlights better opportunities for cash and bonds, primarily driven by higher starting yields, and a steady outlook for stocks.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest winners and losers in 2023, plus a few investments that sat somewhere in the middle.
The surge in consumer prices that drove inflation way past central banker’s targets in recent years triggered a wave of interest-rate hikes.
The strongest stock market returns in the coming decade, perhaps longer, are likely to emerge during advances in the S&P 500 that attempt to catch up with the cumulative return of risk-free Treasury bills.
As we near the end of 2023, Head of Franklin Institute Stephen Dover reviews how his forecasts for the year panned out and shares the themes his team is watching out for in 2024.
After a year marred by the biggest US bank failures since the 2008 financial crisis, the nation’s largest lender is on familiar footing — scooping up a weakened rival, reeling in its clients and minting record profits along the way.
On the surface, it was your run-of-the-mill private credit deal. A bunch of heavy hitters in the industry — Oak Hill Advisors, Antares Capital and Golub Capital — were providing half-a-billion dollars to fund the buyout of an engineering firm.
