Join the experts at SS&C ALPS Advisors as they discuss their approach to international dividend companies, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG).
The answer, along with the thinking behind it, speaks to whether and by how much you think you can beat the market in the long run, your level of personal risk-aversion, and the average tax rate you think you’ll pay on your investment returns.
After Friday’s close, Moody’s downgraded U.S. treasuries, as S&P had 14 years ago, in 2011. I criticized the downgrade then…and I do now. The government cannot technically default, as the Fed can always buy the bonds for any auction.
The shareholder meeting began to be streamed about ten years ago, but that has had no impact on attendance. This is one reason why I think Buffett is at peace with the idea of no longer presiding at the meeting – people will still come to Omaha the weekend before Mother’s Day.
Given the recent market volatility and the possibility of an adverse wealth effect, it's worth quantifying the relationship between stock returns and economic activity.
Don’t allow your middle-aged clients depending on their 401(k) plan to fool themselves. Markets can’t rescue a failure to save until it hurts. And don’t let them kid themselves that a smoother ride with bonds won’t come at the cost of increased shortfall risk.
As markets rebound from a brief but sharp correction, Journey’s investment team reflects on the impact of tariffs, global diversification, and the evolving role of alternatives in investor portfolios. With caution as the theme, this month’s commentary urges investors to revisit risk tolerance and stay grounded in disciplined, long-term strategies amidst ongoing economic uncertainty.
This is the story of how we got to a moment in history defined by global and national crises. It is the story about how a radical geopolitical transition is taking place as old socio-economic and institutional cycles in the US end and new ones begin.
Fisher Investments recently wrote an interesting article asking whether corporate stock buybacks affect markets.
US stocks delivered their second-best weekly gain of the year on Friday, as Big Tech fueled a rally that brought the S&P 500 Index closer to an all-time high set nearly three months ago.
Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang outlined plans to let customers deploy rivals’ chips in data centers built around its technology, a move that acknowledges the growth of in-house semiconductor development by major clients from Microsoft Corp. to Amazon.com Inc.
Long-dated Treasuries fell on Monday as investor attention turned to the US’ ballooning debt after Moody’s Ratings stripped the nation of its last top credit rating.
Wall Street’s emerging-market faithful are finally seeing better returns after missing out for years as US stocks soared.
The recent rally began when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent struck a more conciliatory tone with China, saying he expected a de-escalation shortly.
In a speech Thursday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted that the central bank’s five-year framework review will focus on the particulars of its maximum employment and stable price goals, as well as efforts to communicate clearly with the public.
One of the first and most promising uses scientists envision for the rapidly evolving technology of quantum computing is a new approach to drug development.
Chief Economist Eugenio J. Alemán discusses current economic conditions.
Stocks have rebounded since the White House delayed steep tariffs that were announced in early April, but trade policy remains a potential driver of volatility.
The House Ways & Means Committee advanced a comprehensive tax bill this week. Our Bill Cass discusses the key provisions and how they may impact taxpayers.
Retirement. It’s a phase of life that brings with it unique challenges, particularly when it comes to healthcare. In the U.S., the average lifespan is 79 years (compared to the global average of 73 years).
While April brought further welcome news on the inflation front, underlying consumer fundamentals painted a more concerning picture.
A recent Gallup poll shows gold just passed stocks as Americans’ favorite long-term investment. We explore why it might deserve the top spot.
Major gauges of investment-grade corporate bonds were stung by the April bout of volatility that permeated the bond market.
Technology and trends have made individual investors an important part of the private market.
A rushed exit from conservatorship could increase mortgage rates and worsen home affordability.
While equities are on their way to recovering January 1 levels, enhanced volatility lends itself to active ETF strategies this year.
The yield on the 10-year note ended May 16, 2025 at 4.43%. Meanwhile, the 2-year note ended at 3.98% and the 30-year note ended at 4.89%.
If only Europe could offer property investors the kind of buffet the US provides. For now, its listed real estate sector is fragmented and dysfunctional, the raison d’etre seemingly to create cheap takeover targets for buyout firms.
President Donald Trump said he would set tariff rates for US trading partners “over the next two to three weeks,” saying his administration lacks the capacity to negotiate deals with all of its trading partners.
Global funds are pouring money back into India, driving billion-dollar corporate financing deals and sending stocks prices to near a seven-month high, as investors bet that Asia’s third-largest economy can emerge as a winner in President Donald Trump’s trade war.
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. made no major purchases during the market slump that preceded President Donald Trump’s trade war, instead whittling or selling off holdings in financial stocks during the first quarter.
Technology stocks have been buffeted by market volatility in early 2025, with shares tied to artificial intelligence (AI) hit especially hard.
Emirates Global Aluminium plans to start building a $4 billion plant in Oklahoma next year as Donald Trump pushes for massive investments from oil-rich Gulf states to avoid his tariffs.
The share of outstanding US consumer debt that’s in delinquency rose in the first quarter to the highest in five years, reflecting an end to the pandemic-era pause on reporting delinquent student loan payments on credit reports.
In the latest report by the Census Bureau, building permits dropped to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.412 million in April, the lowest level in almost a year. This marks a 4.7% decrease from March and a 3.2% decline compared to one year ago.
In the latest report by the Census Bureau, housing starts inched up to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.361 million in April. This marks a 1.6% increase from March but a 1.7% decrease compared to one year ago.
The 90-day reduction on tariffs between the US and China is a positive development, but some questions remain.
529 plans provide tax benefits, estate planning advantages, and flexible education savings. Our Bill Cass explains how 529 plans can be part of an estate planning strategy.
So far in 2025, markets have had plenty to absorb: the Trump administration’s tariffs, Germany’s latest investment commitments, the implications of the DeepSeek moment, and escalating military conflicts (now including one on the India-Pakistan border).
While the CPI has dipped close to the mythical 2 percent target, core CPI remains elevated.
We maintain a focus on resiliency as elevated yields within high quality fixed income continue to offer attractive opportunities.
After a brief reprieve from all the recession talk while the Fed was raising rates to decades-old high watermarks, the ‘R’ word has come back into vogue once again post-Liberation day.
On Monday, the U.S. and China announced they will temporarily suspend the high import tariffs they imposed on each other earlier this year.
Despite the announcement of new tariffs, long-term inflation expectations—as measured by the 5y5y inflation rate—have remained stable
Alternative ETFs, which package exposures like commodities and digital assets, have experienced record-breaking adoption in the past year.
Nominal retail sales in April were up 0.06% month-over-month (MoM) and up 5.16% year-over-year (YoY). However, after adjusting for inflation, real retail sales were down 0.16% MoM and up 2.76% YoY.
Builder confidence fell sharply in May as uncertainty stemming from elevated rates, tariffs, building costs, and the cloudy economic outlook dragged builder sentiment to its lowest level in 18 months.
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for April showed consumer spending inched up last month, with head sales rising 0.1%. This comes on the heels of March's 1.7% surge in spending and was higher than the 0.0% forecast.
The latest Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index showed weak activity this month. The index rose nearly 22 points but remained negative for a second straight month at -4.0. The latest reading was better than the forecast of -11.3.
Manufacturing activity contracted for a third consecutive month in New York State, according to the Empire State Manufacturing May survey. The diffusion index for General Business Conditions fell 1.1 points to -9.2. The latest reading was worse than the forecast of -8.2.
Wholesale inflation unexpectedly fell in April, experiencing its largest monthly decline in five years. The producer price index for final demand was down 0.5% month-over-month after a flat reading in March. This was lower than the expected 0.2% growth.
The selloff in Japan’s long-dated bonds is drawing international investors, who expect the securities to rebound as global trade turmoil abates.
Saudi Arabia is ramping up efforts to lure high frequency trading firms — a campaign that’s already brought in major players from Citadel Securities to Hudson River Trading — as it looks to bolster activity on the Middle East’s largest stock market.
Gold steadied as investors pulled away from risky assets and waited for more clues on the Federal Reserve’s rate path.
JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s chief of global markets strategy said the US could dodge a recession as the probability of that scenario has decreased following better clarity over global trade.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said policymakers are weighing changes to key parts of the framework that guides their monetary policy decisions, including how they think about shortfalls in US employment and approach their inflation target.
Keeping your financial plan aligned with your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.
Our overarching theme for U.S. fixed income has been, and will continue to be, based on the premise that interest rates will stay at more historically “normal” levels, but that, within this backdrop, investors will face heightened volatility.
In this video – Part 2 – Extreme Risk of High Valuation – Chuck Carnevale, Co-Founder of FAST Graphs, aka Mr. Valuation discusses the volatility of the stock market, using the S&P 500 (SPY) as a proxy.
By the end of April, the S&P 500 rallied its way back, recovering nearly all the declines notched in the opening days of the month when President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff plans tipped markets towards bear territory.
China has been a focal point of American trade policy for many years, but tensions were escalated early in the second Trump term.
Emerging market equities and bonds could benefit if the US dollar weakens—a possible scenario amid tariff turmoil.
The artificial intelligence arms race has prompted a contest for America’s power plants.
When volatility ripped through markets last month, many investors scrambled to respond. Some wanted to quickly adjust specific security exposures. Others wanted to flee to cash or build in protection against additional downside moves. And some rushed to buy the dip.
Certificates of deposit (CDs) and Treasuries both can offer steady, predictable investment income—but how to decide between them? Here are five factors to help you choose.
Are you trying to grow a stable team of advisors and retain top talent? Young advisors are looking for RIA firms that offer remote work flexibility, a clear path toward advancement and role transparency.
Here is a look at real (inflation-adjusted) charts of the S&P 500, Dow 30, and Nasdaq composite since their 2000 highs. We've updated this through the April 2025 close.
A solution that merely saves time on administrative tasks will quickly become stale as the business grows. Success lies in determining how the AI tool you are implementing will have a lasting effect on the advisor’s workday routine.
It can be tempting to react when someone at work criticizes you at work, but take some time to consider the issue before you do.
To help exemplify the importance of UX, I’m breaking down a few of the most common UX myths, along with the top recommendations to avoid the pitfalls associated with them.
The agreement between the US and China to roll back their respective tariffs for 90 days has led to renewed optimism that the worst of America’s trade wars is over.
Equity investors pushed back into the market by a relentless rally are about to find out that the real challenge is just beginning.
Anyone betting on the end of the private credit boom has been on the back foot of late as the upstart $1.6 trillion asset class has notched up a string of wins. But the industry’s naysayers won’t be conceding defeat just yet.
Retail investors have won again. When trade tensions flared in early April and about $6.6 trillion in market value vanished from US stocks in just two business days – the fifth-worst two-day drop since the S&P 500’s creation in 1957 – they didn’t panic.
Warren Buffett has finally answered a question that has long intrigued investors: What sparked his interest in five Japanese trading houses in 2020, a bet that is now worth more than $25 billion?
Flows of gold into Asian ETFs exploded in April, driving global ETF gold holdings higher for the fifth straight month.
The chain-smoking protagonist of Landman, the American television drama series about the Texas oil industry, puts it better than anyone else: “You want oil to live above 60, but below 90,” says the fictional Tommy Norris. “Seventy-eight dollars a barrel, that’s about perfect.”
Assessing a bear market rally proves challenging when you experience it firsthand. It is only in hindsight that the complete picture reveals itself to investors. Of course, after a bear market rally, investors tend to review their investments and speculate on what they should have done differently.
The surprisingly large reduction in mutual tariffs between China and the U.S. announced early Monday morning has sent the markets flying. Trump has softened his approach dramatically and markets are expecting future deals. The base case: everyone at 10%, China at say 20% is still a jump, but at least will likely prevent a recession. Trade and tariffs remain the main focus for markets.
The more duration risk taken, the more reward or yield demanded by investors. This is why, historically, the yield curve provides incrementally more yield for longer-maturity bonds.
In the report, Portfolio Managers John Kerschner, Nick Childs, and Thomas Polus highlight three reasons why agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) look attractive in the present environment.
The U.S. may not walk back all of the new tariffs.
In this video, Chuck Carnevale, Co-Founder of FAST Graphs, aka Mr. Valuation discusses the volatility of the stock market, the truth about the S&P 500’s valuation, using the S&P 500 (SPY) as a proxy.
Commonwealth Financial Network®, a national RIA dedicated to providing financial advisors with holistic, integrated business solutions, has initiated a new partnership with Messina College, a two-year, all-residential degree program of Boston College that welcomed its first-ever class of students to the school’s Brookline Campus last summer.
Gas prices dropped to their lowest level in seven weeks. As of May 12th, the price of regular gas down 3 cents while premium gas was unchanged from the previous week.
While the U.S. and U.K. have different economic and regulatory landscapes, there are clear opportunities for the U.S. to improve retirement readiness by adopting some best practices from across the pond.
In 2025, liquidity is not a background variable — it's a front-line risk factor, one that’s being tested repeatedly as global markets navigate a web of geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic signals.
There is much serious discussion about the “rule of law” today. This discussion is good and should be applied to the affective meaning of fiduciary today. Pressures from the brokerage and insurance industries over the past 20 years have effectively nullified the clear purpose of the IAA and the Supreme Court decision in 1963.
Inflation affects everything from grocery bills to rent, making the Consumer Price Index (CPI) one of the most closely watched economic indicators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks this by categorizing spending into eight categories, each weighted by its relative importance.
Global Markets
LiveCast: Why International Developed Markets Could Weather the Storm
Join the experts at SS&C ALPS Advisors as they discuss their approach to international dividend companies, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG).
The Most Revealing Question in Personal Investing…and How Warren Buffett Helps Us Answer It
The answer, along with the thinking behind it, speaks to whether and by how much you think you can beat the market in the long run, your level of personal risk-aversion, and the average tax rate you think you’ll pay on your investment returns.
Downgrades, Debt, and Durable Optimism
After Friday’s close, Moody’s downgraded U.S. treasuries, as S&P had 14 years ago, in 2011. I criticized the downgrade then…and I do now. The government cannot technically default, as the Fed can always buy the bonds for any auction.
Warren Buffett and the Berkshire Hathaway Paradox
The shareholder meeting began to be streamed about ten years ago, but that has had no impact on attendance. This is one reason why I think Buffett is at peace with the idea of no longer presiding at the meeting – people will still come to Omaha the weekend before Mother’s Day.
The Wealth Effect Is Not Always Virtuous
Given the recent market volatility and the possibility of an adverse wealth effect, it's worth quantifying the relationship between stock returns and economic activity.
A 401(k) in Every Pot? The Glidepath to Nowhere
Don’t allow your middle-aged clients depending on their 401(k) plan to fool themselves. Markets can’t rescue a failure to save until it hurts. And don’t let them kid themselves that a smoother ride with bonds won’t come at the cost of increased shortfall risk.
Volatility, Valuations, and the Value of Staying the Course
As markets rebound from a brief but sharp correction, Journey’s investment team reflects on the impact of tariffs, global diversification, and the evolving role of alternatives in investor portfolios. With caution as the theme, this month’s commentary urges investors to revisit risk tolerance and stay grounded in disciplined, long-term strategies amidst ongoing economic uncertainty.
How We Got Here
This is the story of how we got to a moment in history defined by global and national crises. It is the story about how a radical geopolitical transition is taking place as old socio-economic and institutional cycles in the US end and new ones begin.
Corporate Stock Buybacks – Do They Affect Markets?
Fisher Investments recently wrote an interesting article asking whether corporate stock buybacks affect markets.
S&P 500 Notches Weekly Gain on Big Tech Strength, Trade Optimism
US stocks delivered their second-best weekly gain of the year on Friday, as Big Tech fueled a rally that brought the S&P 500 Index closer to an all-time high set nearly three months ago.
Nvidia Opens AI Ecosystem to Rival Chipmakers to Aid Global Push
Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang outlined plans to let customers deploy rivals’ chips in data centers built around its technology, a move that acknowledges the growth of in-house semiconductor development by major clients from Microsoft Corp. to Amazon.com Inc.
Treasuries, Dollar Fall as Moody’s Sharpens Focus on US Debt
Long-dated Treasuries fell on Monday as investor attention turned to the US’ ballooning debt after Moody’s Ratings stripped the nation of its last top credit rating.
Wall Street Banks Bet on Emerging Markets After Wasted Years
Wall Street’s emerging-market faithful are finally seeing better returns after missing out for years as US stocks soared.
Is It a New Bull Market?
The recent rally began when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent struck a more conciliatory tone with China, saying he expected a de-escalation shortly.
The Fed Should Correct for Overconfidence in Its Review
In a speech Thursday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted that the central bank’s five-year framework review will focus on the particulars of its maximum employment and stable price goals, as well as efforts to communicate clearly with the public.
Quantum Computing Could Be the Future of Drug Development
One of the first and most promising uses scientists envision for the rapidly evolving technology of quantum computing is a new approach to drug development.
Better Tariff News, but Uncertainty to Limit Potential Benefits Near Term
Chief Economist Eugenio J. Alemán discusses current economic conditions.
Schwab Market Perspective: The Tariff Effect
Stocks have rebounded since the White House delayed steep tariffs that were announced in early April, but trade policy remains a potential driver of volatility.
Special Tax Alert: House Committee Advances Tax Bill
The House Ways & Means Committee advanced a comprehensive tax bill this week. Our Bill Cass discusses the key provisions and how they may impact taxpayers.
Hidden Healthcare Costs: Understanding Financial Security for Retirees
Retirement. It’s a phase of life that brings with it unique challenges, particularly when it comes to healthcare. In the U.S., the average lifespan is 79 years (compared to the global average of 73 years).
Weekly Economic Snapshot: Inflation Relief Meets Consumer Woes
While April brought further welcome news on the inflation front, underlying consumer fundamentals painted a more concerning picture.
Gold Gains in Gallup’s Latest Poll
A recent Gallup poll shows gold just passed stocks as Americans’ favorite long-term investment. We explore why it might deserve the top spot.
Tap Into IG Corporate Debt Perks With IIGD
Major gauges of investment-grade corporate bonds were stung by the April bout of volatility that permeated the bond market.
A Universe of Potential Opportunity Lies Beyond the Public Markets
Technology and trends have made individual investors an important part of the private market.
The Future of the GSEs: Do No Harm
A rushed exit from conservatorship could increase mortgage rates and worsen home affordability.
As U.S. Stocks Recover YTD Losses, Look to Active Strategies
While equities are on their way to recovering January 1 levels, enhanced volatility lends itself to active ETF strategies this year.
Treasury Yields Snapshot: May 16, 2025
The yield on the 10-year note ended May 16, 2025 at 4.43%. Meanwhile, the 2-year note ended at 3.98% and the 30-year note ended at 4.89%.
The Embarrassing Transatlantic Divide in Real Estate Stocks
If only Europe could offer property investors the kind of buffet the US provides. For now, its listed real estate sector is fragmented and dysfunctional, the raison d’etre seemingly to create cheap takeover targets for buyout firms.
Trump Says US to Set Tariff Rates for Other Nations in Weeks
President Donald Trump said he would set tariff rates for US trading partners “over the next two to three weeks,” saying his administration lacks the capacity to negotiate deals with all of its trading partners.
India Is Hot Trade Again as Funds Chase Trump-Era Winners
Global funds are pouring money back into India, driving billion-dollar corporate financing deals and sending stocks prices to near a seven-month high, as investors bet that Asia’s third-largest economy can emerge as a winner in President Donald Trump’s trade war.
Buffett’s Berkshire Sat Out Market Drop, Trimmed Bank Stocks
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. made no major purchases during the market slump that preceded President Donald Trump’s trade war, instead whittling or selling off holdings in financial stocks during the first quarter.
Investing in the Great Tech Shake-Up Amid a Tariff Storm
Technology stocks have been buffeted by market volatility in early 2025, with shares tied to artificial intelligence (AI) hit especially hard.
EGA to Build US Aluminum Plant Touted by Trump Next Year
Emirates Global Aluminium plans to start building a $4 billion plant in Oklahoma next year as Donald Trump pushes for massive investments from oil-rich Gulf states to avoid his tariffs.
Student Loans Drive US Delinquency Rate to Highest Since 2020
The share of outstanding US consumer debt that’s in delinquency rose in the first quarter to the highest in five years, reflecting an end to the pandemic-era pause on reporting delinquent student loan payments on credit reports.
Building Permits Drop 4.7% in April
In the latest report by the Census Bureau, building permits dropped to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.412 million in April, the lowest level in almost a year. This marks a 4.7% decrease from March and a 3.2% decline compared to one year ago.
Housing Starts Inch Up 1.6% in April
In the latest report by the Census Bureau, housing starts inched up to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.361 million in April. This marks a 1.6% increase from March but a 1.7% decrease compared to one year ago.
How Does the US-China Trade Truce Impact our Market and Economic Views?
The 90-day reduction on tariffs between the US and China is a positive development, but some questions remain.
A 529 Plan Can be an Effective Component of an Estate Plan
529 plans provide tax benefits, estate planning advantages, and flexible education savings. Our Bill Cass explains how 529 plans can be part of an estate planning strategy.
India’s Power Play
So far in 2025, markets have had plenty to absorb: the Trump administration’s tariffs, Germany’s latest investment commitments, the implications of the DeepSeek moment, and escalating military conflicts (now including one on the India-Pakistan border).
What Is the Current Inflation Situation?
While the CPI has dipped close to the mythical 2 percent target, core CPI remains elevated.
Income Fund Update: Focus on Stability Amid Turbulence
We maintain a focus on resiliency as elevated yields within high quality fixed income continue to offer attractive opportunities.
Are We Half-Way to a Recession?
After a brief reprieve from all the recession talk while the Fed was raising rates to decades-old high watermarks, the ‘R’ word has come back into vogue once again post-Liberation day.
BIG NUMBER | 30%: A Tariff Turnaround
On Monday, the U.S. and China announced they will temporarily suspend the high import tariffs they imposed on each other earlier this year.
Inflation Expectations Hold Firm Amid Tariff Noise
Despite the announcement of new tariffs, long-term inflation expectations—as measured by the 5y5y inflation rate—have remained stable
ETFs Enhance Access to Alternative Investments
Alternative ETFs, which package exposures like commodities and digital assets, have experienced record-breaking adoption in the past year.
The Big Four Recession Indicators: Real Retail Sales Fall 0.2% in April
Nominal retail sales in April were up 0.06% month-over-month (MoM) and up 5.16% year-over-year (YoY). However, after adjusting for inflation, real retail sales were down 0.16% MoM and up 2.76% YoY.
NAHB Housing Market Index: Growing Uncertainty Drags Down Builder Confidence
Builder confidence fell sharply in May as uncertainty stemming from elevated rates, tariffs, building costs, and the cloudy economic outlook dragged builder sentiment to its lowest level in 18 months.
Retail Sales Inch Up 0.1% in April, Higher Than Expected
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for April showed consumer spending inched up last month, with head sales rising 0.1%. This comes on the heels of March's 1.7% surge in spending and was higher than the 0.0% forecast.
Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index: Activity Remained Weak in May
The latest Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index showed weak activity this month. The index rose nearly 22 points but remained negative for a second straight month at -4.0. The latest reading was better than the forecast of -11.3.
Empire State Manufacturing Survey: Activity Continued to Decline Modestly in May
Manufacturing activity contracted for a third consecutive month in New York State, according to the Empire State Manufacturing May survey. The diffusion index for General Business Conditions fell 1.1 points to -9.2. The latest reading was worse than the forecast of -8.2.
Producer Price Index: Wholesale Inflation Sees Biggest Monthly Drop Since 2020
Wholesale inflation unexpectedly fell in April, experiencing its largest monthly decline in five years. The producer price index for final demand was down 0.5% month-over-month after a flat reading in March. This was lower than the expected 0.2% growth.
Vanguard, RBC BlueBay Scoop Up Battered 30-Year Japanese Bonds
The selloff in Japan’s long-dated bonds is drawing international investors, who expect the securities to rebound as global trade turmoil abates.
Wall Street’s High-Frequency Traders Are Rushing Into Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is ramping up efforts to lure high frequency trading firms — a campaign that’s already brought in major players from Citadel Securities to Hudson River Trading — as it looks to bolster activity on the Middle East’s largest stock market.
Gold Steadies as Risk Appetite Fades With Fed Rate Path in Focus
Gold steadied as investors pulled away from risky assets and waited for more clues on the Federal Reserve’s rate path.
JPMorgan, Apollo Executives Say US Could Dodge a Recession
JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s chief of global markets strategy said the US could dodge a recession as the probability of that scenario has decreased following better clarity over global trade.
Powell Signals 2020 Fed Framework Language on Chopping Block
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said policymakers are weighing changes to key parts of the framework that guides their monetary policy decisions, including how they think about shortfalls in US employment and approach their inflation target.
How Rebalancing Helps Keep Your Portfolio on Track
Keeping your financial plan aligned with your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.
Income Without the Volatility…or Credit Exposure
Our overarching theme for U.S. fixed income has been, and will continue to be, based on the premise that interest rates will stay at more historically “normal” levels, but that, within this backdrop, investors will face heightened volatility.
The Extreme Risk of High Valuation: The Truth About the S&P 500’s Valuation (Part 2)
In this video – Part 2 – Extreme Risk of High Valuation – Chuck Carnevale, Co-Founder of FAST Graphs, aka Mr. Valuation discusses the volatility of the stock market, using the S&P 500 (SPY) as a proxy.
Is the Coast Clear Yet?
By the end of April, the S&P 500 rallied its way back, recovering nearly all the declines notched in the opening days of the month when President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff plans tipped markets towards bear territory.
Goods Trade: Delayed Aggravation
China has been a focal point of American trade policy for many years, but tensions were escalated early in the second Trump term.
Would a Weaker US Dollar Support Emerging Market Assets?
Emerging market equities and bonds could benefit if the US dollar weakens—a possible scenario amid tariff turmoil.
A $12 Billion Window Into AI’s Race for Power
The artificial intelligence arms race has prompted a contest for America’s power plants.
5 Ways an Overlay Can Smooth Out a Rocky Market
When volatility ripped through markets last month, many investors scrambled to respond. Some wanted to quickly adjust specific security exposures. Others wanted to flee to cash or build in protection against additional downside moves. And some rushed to buy the dip.
CD or Treasury? Five Factors to Consider
Certificates of deposit (CDs) and Treasuries both can offer steady, predictable investment income—but how to decide between them? Here are five factors to help you choose.
Want to Build a Strong Advisor Team? 3 Ways to Retain Top Talent
Are you trying to grow a stable team of advisors and retain top talent? Young advisors are looking for RIA firms that offer remote work flexibility, a clear path toward advancement and role transparency.
The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq Since 2000 Highs as of April 2025
Here is a look at real (inflation-adjusted) charts of the S&P 500, Dow 30, and Nasdaq composite since their 2000 highs. We've updated this through the April 2025 close.
The Next Chapter of AI? Proactivity.
A solution that merely saves time on administrative tasks will quickly become stale as the business grows. Success lies in determining how the AI tool you are implementing will have a lasting effect on the advisor’s workday routine.
Take a Breath When Unfairly Criticized
It can be tempting to react when someone at work criticizes you at work, but take some time to consider the issue before you do.
4 Common Myths of Website User Experience
To help exemplify the importance of UX, I’m breaking down a few of the most common UX myths, along with the top recommendations to avoid the pitfalls associated with them.
The China Trade Deal Doesn’t Solve the Fed’s Problems
The agreement between the US and China to roll back their respective tariffs for 90 days has led to renewed optimism that the worst of America’s trade wars is over.
Stock Rally Nobody Is Comfortable With Makes It Hard to Chase
Equity investors pushed back into the market by a relentless rally are about to find out that the real challenge is just beginning.
Private Credit’s Latest Golden Moment Is Hiding the Cracks
Anyone betting on the end of the private credit boom has been on the back foot of late as the upstart $1.6 trillion asset class has notched up a string of wins. But the industry’s naysayers won’t be conceding defeat just yet.
Buying the Dip Still Works — Even in This New World
Retail investors have won again. When trade tensions flared in early April and about $6.6 trillion in market value vanished from US stocks in just two business days – the fifth-worst two-day drop since the S&P 500’s creation in 1957 – they didn’t panic.
Buffett’s Little Japan Handbook and Other Lessons
Warren Buffett has finally answered a question that has long intrigued investors: What sparked his interest in five Japanese trading houses in 2020, a bet that is now worth more than $25 billion?
A Surge of Gold into Asian ETFs Drove Global Holdings Higher in April
Flows of gold into Asian ETFs exploded in April, driving global ETF gold holdings higher for the fifth straight month.
US Oil Output Has Peaked. But Don’t Expect a Rapid Decline.
The chain-smoking protagonist of Landman, the American television drama series about the Texas oil industry, puts it better than anyone else: “You want oil to live above 60, but below 90,” says the fictional Tommy Norris. “Seventy-eight dollars a barrel, that’s about perfect.”
A Bear Market Rally? Or, Just A Correction?
Assessing a bear market rally proves challenging when you experience it firsthand. It is only in hindsight that the complete picture reveals itself to investors. Of course, after a bear market rally, investors tend to review their investments and speculate on what they should have done differently.
Fed's Rigidity Risks Recession as Tariffs Start to Bite
The surprisingly large reduction in mutual tariffs between China and the U.S. announced early Monday morning has sent the markets flying. Trump has softened his approach dramatically and markets are expecting future deals. The base case: everyone at 10%, China at say 20% is still a jump, but at least will likely prevent a recession. Trade and tariffs remain the main focus for markets.
Market Chaos is Harvesting Income Opportunities
The more duration risk taken, the more reward or yield demanded by investors. This is why, historically, the yield curve provides incrementally more yield for longer-maturity bonds.
Indicators Flashing Green for Agency MBS
In the report, Portfolio Managers John Kerschner, Nick Childs, and Thomas Polus highlight three reasons why agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) look attractive in the present environment.
U.S./Japan Trade Negotiations
The U.S. may not walk back all of the new tariffs.
Dissecting the Stock Market: The Truth About the S&P 500’s Valuation (Part 1)
In this video, Chuck Carnevale, Co-Founder of FAST Graphs, aka Mr. Valuation discusses the volatility of the stock market, the truth about the S&P 500’s valuation, using the S&P 500 (SPY) as a proxy.
Commonwealth Partners with Messina College, Creating Career Paths for First-Generation College Students
Commonwealth Financial Network®, a national RIA dedicated to providing financial advisors with holistic, integrated business solutions, has initiated a new partnership with Messina College, a two-year, all-residential degree program of Boston College that welcomed its first-ever class of students to the school’s Brookline Campus last summer.
Gas Prices Drop to 7-Week Low
Gas prices dropped to their lowest level in seven weeks. As of May 12th, the price of regular gas down 3 cents while premium gas was unchanged from the previous week.
Why Tariffs Won’t Bring Back the “Good Old Days”
While the U.S. and U.K. have different economic and regulatory landscapes, there are clear opportunities for the U.S. to improve retirement readiness by adopting some best practices from across the pond.
Liquidity Risk in 2025: A Strategic Priority, Not a Side Concern
In 2025, liquidity is not a background variable — it's a front-line risk factor, one that’s being tested repeatedly as global markets navigate a web of geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic signals.
Fiduciary & Compensation
There is much serious discussion about the “rule of law” today. This discussion is good and should be applied to the affective meaning of fiduciary today. Pressures from the brokerage and insurance industries over the past 20 years have effectively nullified the clear purpose of the IAA and the Supreme Court decision in 1963.
Cross-Atlantic Retirement Readiness: What the U.S. Can Learn from the U.K.
While the U.S. and U.K. have different economic and regulatory landscapes, there are clear opportunities for the U.S. to improve retirement readiness by adopting some best practices from across the pond.
Inside the Consumer Price Index: April 2025
Inflation affects everything from grocery bills to rent, making the Consumer Price Index (CPI) one of the most closely watched economic indicators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks this by categorizing spending into eight categories, each weighted by its relative importance.