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.
It is certainly a confusing economic environment. Jobs growth is strong yet there are constant reports of high-profile company layoffs. The yield curve is inverted suggesting a recession yet the stock market is at a record high.
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.
The can has been kicked down the road several times but it feels like the end of the road is in sight.
To stay competitive with their peers, big tech companies will need to continue leveraging the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI). Given this competitive landscape, an alternate play on AI could be single-stock exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in companies like Microsoft.
Here are seven ways to be great at sales for those who don’t consider themselves “salesy.”
It’s up to advisors to deploy technology without losing sight of what clients want. Consider these examples.
I highlight six important ways advisors can best prepare to sell their RIA to an external third party.
Treasuries are headed for their biggest two-day loss in months as strong economic data reinforced the message of Federal Reserve officials including Chair Jerome Powell that interest-rate cuts are unlikely to begin before May.
The energy transition requires subsidies, policy support and technological progress. Above all, though, it needs people to literally buy into it, and nothing exemplifies that better than electric vehicles.
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.
Copper was one of only two metals that finished 2023 in the black, gold being the other metal.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is making the titans of private credit markets very anxious.
In Russell Investments’ factor portfolios, the Global Large Cap Growth, Momentum and Size factors outperformed the MSCI All-Country World Index during Q4, while the Global Large Cap Value and Low Volatility factors underperformed the index. The Global Lage Cap Quality factor was flat for the quarter.
Meta Platforms Inc.’s efficiency-obsessed investors don’t like to see the company spend money. Unless — and this will shock you — it’s going into their pockets.
As the market prepares for Apple Inc.’s earnings on Thursday, all I can think is this: Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has problems. Plenty of them.
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.
Healthy profit margins matter for your practice and your clients. Here are tips you can use to boost your profitability.
To celebrate the pending Exchange conference, VettaFi and some key industry partners were at the Nasdaq MarketSite to help ring the opening bell last week. Exchange will be the industry’s largest ETF-, and most valuable advisor-focused, conference.
If you aren’t familiar with neurofinance, this article will be an eye-opener.
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.
Can inflation continue to decline, and what will drive it down?
More institutional investors are exploring infrastructure for diversification, income and stable return potential as well as inflation protection. Investors are looking at both the traditional segments and newer digital sectors along with renewables.
Value investing is the lens through which many view financial markets. Yet, a simple value factor has performed poorly for the last 16 years. Is the value effect over, or will it come back in 2024?
Capital spending by US manufacturers will probably cool in 2024 after a banner year of investment in plants as still-elevated borrowing costs and demand concerns temper a lingering desire to upgrade operations.
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.
A recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that AI will affect almost two out of every five jobs done by humans around the world. AI of course will impact work that is already somewhat or totally automated.
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.
A new report by BMO Capital Markets suggests that the price of gold is no longer being driven by real interest rates. What replaced them? I unveil the answer below.
The housing market, a key driver of the economy, has struggled of late. Sales of previously owned US homes just had their worst year since 1995, and affordability recently hit a record low by one measure.
When markets are volatile, it's tempting to move into cash. But those high yields on short-term cash instruments aren't as attractive once taxes and inflation are factored in.
There will be a lot of firsts for the economic history books if this business cycle can survive a labor market slowdown, 525 basis points (bps) of rate hikes and an extremely inverted U.S. Treasury yield curve.
As we get ready to review the Q4 earnings report, stocks have rallied sharply over the last two months
Today, VettaFi’s groundbreaking financial services conference Exchange rang the Nasdaq bell in Times Square. Exchange is slated to start on February 11 in Miami, Florida.
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.
Last Friday, Bloomberg Senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas joined VettaFi vice chairman Tom Lydon and head of research Todd Rosenbluth for the VettaFi Cryptocurrency Symposium to talk about the launch of the first spot bitcoin ETFs the day before.
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.
Investor sentiment toward China has soured after a tough year for the economy and stock market. But the painful economic transition is also creating real opportunity.
Here are the 10 steps to take before termination.
Here is how to make lasting changes in your practice so you can reach your goals instead of wasting your time and burning out.
Tech sector stocks gained more than 50% last year, fueled by AI and signs of improvement in the cloud and chip markets. Upcoming Q4 results could give investors clues into 2024.
Institutional investors may want to consider an allocation to Quality equities as well as a sufficient allocation to government bonds.
Exchange kicks off the same day as the most important game in American sports — the Super Bowl. Here are the four main reasons you’re better off seeing the game at Exchange than anywhere else.
The race for the White House intensified this week as Donald Trump won the Iowa caucus with 51% of the vote, handily beating rivals Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. Results from the online prediction market PredictIt now show that Trump has become the betting favorite to win November’s general election.
An emerging-market money manager who is outperforming 99% of his peers says equity investors can make money in 2024 whether the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates or not, by focusing on countries undergoing economic transformations.
Initiate the year with direct indexing, encompassing tax planning, personalized investing strategies, rejuvenating sidelined cash, and navigating concentrated stock positions or financial windfalls.
While elections can be newsworthy, we think that investors shouldn’t be too concerned about the impact on financial markets. Staying disciplined will help investors in the long run.
