While the majority of the capital markets are anticipating rate cuts, certain economic data continues to run counter to the forecast. That’s why in times of persistent inflation, getting commodities exposure can be beneficial.
The shift away from pure robo models does not reflect a rejection of digital tools. Instead, the industry is increasingly embracing hybrid frameworks — combining automated portfolio construction with human advisory support.
Most FAs I see work long hours but spend less than two hours a week attempting to grow their business. One of the first things I do when coaching them is to learn five things.
Today we look like geniuses, but there will be times when, by making rational and unpopular decisions, we’ll look like idiots. There are few guarantees I can give in this business, but this is one of them.
A group of multi-billion dollar businesses could help stage a comeback for Europe’s market for initial public offerings this fall, compensating for the region’s slowest first half in more than a decade.
US orders for business equipment increased in July by more than projected, suggesting companies are moving forward on investment plans as some of the trade and tax policy uncertainty gradually diminishes.
Apple Inc.’s stock is showing signs of life after struggling through most of 2025, as the tariff-related risks that have weighed on the company start to ease.
China is in the midst a stock boom. The blue-chip CSI 300 Index is up 9% so far this month, while the tech-heavy ChiNext Index has soared 18%, leaving the S&P 500 in the dust.
If I told you Argentina is the world’s hottest new market for copper, you might be likely either to scratch your head or just laugh.
Last Friday, Jerome Powell gave the Fed Chief’s annual speech at the Kansas City Fed’s 2025 meeting in Jackson Hole, WY.
Nvidia, the biggest AI-chip firm, reports Wednesday. Watchlist items include the pathway toward resuming H20 chip sales in China, revenue guidance, and Blackwell growth.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy! Heading into summer, markets faced a wave of uncertainty—from shifting tariffs and debt ceiling debates to questions around the fate of the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill.’
Chair Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole was a proper and long overdue pivot—and the markets immediately rejoiced. This was the dovish signal investors had been hoping for, and even stronger than I expected Powell to deliver.
For nearly two decades, U.S. electricity demand was flat. Between 2005 and 2020, consumption barely budged, thanks to efficiency gains in appliances and slower economic growth. Utilities planned for more of the same.
The Federal Reserve notes the balance of risks to the U.S. economy may warrant a shift in policy stance – in other words, a rate cut.
Few have accomplished as much as Janet Yellen during the course of their careers. She broke two significant glass ceilings, becoming the first woman to serve as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve and as U.S. Treasury secretary.
Last week, a tech rout that began on Tuesday led to notable declines in the Nasdaq Composite (-2.5%) and S&P 500 (-1.2%) by market close on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average roughly flat. Investors engaged in profit-taking, amidst concerns about the high valuations of many technology companies.
The tariff recession is cancelled, but with the Fed strangling rates, we are nowhere near the boom Trump wants.
Are there enough options among foreign equities ETFs? Plenty of funds exist, but some regions and markets may lack options.
As financial planning becomes more digital, more automated, and more standardized, this human layer becomes even more critical. The ability to connect, to coach, and to support emotionally charged decisions will remain one of the most valuable skills an advisor can offer.
On this episode of the ETF of the Week podcast, VettaFi’s head of research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discussed several topics related to the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF overall.
The latest economic data suggests the US economy is decelerating. That means growth is slowing, jobs are shrinking, and households are spending less.
The Federal Reserve’s annual gathering in the Rocky Mountains is usually a time for central bankers and their wonky friends to kick back, discuss a few complicated economic topics and then go for a hike in the shadow of Grand Teton.
An avalanche of cheap Chinese stuff is landing on doorsteps across Latin America. Bargain-hungry consumers are giddy, local retailers are getting pummeled and customs agencies are swamped.
For years software companies were the toast of Wall Street. High profit margins, low capital requirements and vast runway for growth prompted the venture capitalist Marc Andreessen in 2011 to famously declare “software is eating the world.”
The difference in wealth and income between the top 1% and the rest of America tends to get more attention, but one of the more striking wealth gaps is generational: Older Americans are far richer than young Americans.
Our economic-number friends are behaving badly, leaving us unsure where to turn. Maybe in time we will see who was right and wrong. This week we’ll look at some of the data and then at the wide array of diverse opinions from my favorite sources.
At the risk of assaulting an already deceased equine, happy talk about decreased spending in retirement strikes us as the whistling-past-the-graveyard rationalization of those who fear they haven’t saved enough. In plain English, the average retiree spends less than while working because they have to, not because they want to. Advisors and prospective retirees should take care not to confuse the two.
Different clients may prefer different ways to invest in bonds. This article isn’t about identifying which fixed income vehicle offers the highest yield or lowest fee. It’s about matching strategies to real-world investor behavior.
The battle of words between the alternative investments industry and all others about whether alts belong in 401(k)s is far too familiar today. The two sides speak different languages. They don’t engage each other.
Despite not meeting three of the four criteria, UPS valuations provide a better margin of safety than many stocks. However, while it may fare better comparatively, we would want to see improvement in earnings and sales trends before committing UPS to our roster of rainy-day stocks.
US investors are more concentrated than they think. Franklin Mutual Series believes diversifying into local, non-US currencies yields benefits, particularly in an environment of downward US-dollar pressure.
Chief Economist Eugenio J. Alemán discusses current economic conditions.
AI’s long-term potential remains strong, but supply chain risks and uneven adoption may impact near-term gains.
Corporate bankruptcies hit a 14-year high in 2024, and the pace continued through the first seven months of 2025.
VettaFi Voices provided a trailer on the current state of the ETF landscape and what's to come for the rest of 2025.
To some, $1 billion of ETF net inflows is not what it used to be. The US ETF industry has gathered more than $700 billion of net inflows this year.
In economic news other than that from Jackson Hole, the week included a new record high for margin debt and more.
2025 has seen international equities provide some significant upside following a spring swoon for U.S. stocks.
The regular college and professional football seasons are just around the corner. The smart money is betting on further upside with the Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF (BETZ).
For much of this month, Wall Street traders piled into stocks and bonds, betting that the Federal Reserve was finally ready to start cutting interest rates again. All they were waiting on was the green light from Jerome Powell to keep the rally going.
Walmart Inc., TJX Cos Inc. and Lowes Cos. each upgraded their forecasts this week; Home Depot Inc. returned to sales growth. All the good news means the retail sector is doing fine, right?
Oracle Corp.’s Larry Ellison used to scoff at the idea of cloud computing, saying in 2008 that it was “complete gibberish.”
Consumer companies can cope with the baby bust. They just have to pivot to baby boomers.
Active ETF have been in favor in 2025 but there remains confusion. Two industry experts discuss what investors should know.
Since the global financial crisis, value investing has been a lonely grind. Yet I know several managers who never gave up on value, and others who are uncomfortable with tech valuations and have been reallocating to lower P/E stocks.
Treasuries soared and traders added to bets on a September interest-rate cut after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated a reduction may be warranted to support the labor market.
Investors are clamoring to buy the one kind of security that few companies want to sell now: long-dated bonds.
Bond investors are heading into Friday’s much-anticipated Jerome Powell speech largely expecting the Federal Reserve chair will indicate policymakers will start cutting interest rates next month.
Bitcoin, once the unruly child of finance, is showing signs of maturity as its wild swings fade, forcing speculative traders to hunt for a new playground.
