Crypto assets may provide an alternative form of exposure when compared to traditional investments or fiat currencies through their unique characteristics.
Join us as speakers from crypto-expert Hashdex, renowned index provider Nasdaq and global asset manager Victory Capital help you gain a better understanding of the current crypto landscape and the longer-term investment opportunity at hand.
BlackRock Inc. said active investors have an opportunity to beat the market by digging deeper into information about the sustainability of companies.
Look forward to moderating inflation, 2% to 3% growth and full employment in 2022, according to Ben Bernanke.
We are in uncharted waters on many fronts, so no one can really answer that inflation/deflation question with any degree of certainty. We can however, look to the technical condition of commodity markets for guidance, since they have usually, acted as a barometer for more generalized swings in inflationary and deflationary pressures. Commodity prices look poised to signal a new secular bull market, which would likely broaden out to result in the highest more generalized inflation rates since the 1970’s.
Marketing occurs in the advisory profession in the absence of common sense. Here are five brazen misunderstandings shared by the readers of my articles.
Excerpts from Cerulli Associates' report on asset owner and manager perspectives when it comes to promoting diversity & inclusion.
Leaving an established firm to go out on your own might solve some of your problems, but they will be replaced by a new host of obstacles and challenges.
In a society with a weak social safety net, homelessness is the inevitable result of exuberant real estate prices. Those living on the street are the indirect victims of loose monetary policy and low interest rates that foster high property and rental prices.
We have announced our Venerated Voices™ awards for commentaries published in Q3 2021.
Recently there has been a backlash against ESG-based investing. Some of this backlash is on target; some of it is completely wrong. None of it, however, fully identifies the worst thing about the ESG industry.
We’re all familiar with inflation. But did you know there’s another form of inflation that’s just as corrosive on our purchasing power and yet is nearly impossible to measure? Read on to learn more.
The ongoing, intensifying supply chain problems are raising costs in ways that add broad inflation pressure everyone will feel. And the zeitgeist in the workplace is literally changing before our eyes.
After solid performance in both July and August, the S&P 500 was considerably weaker in September. It was more than just passing weakness, however. The stock market looked much less the cocksure prize fighter than the contender who took a shot to the jaw that wobbled his knees.
This morning we got the latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The diffusion index for General Business Conditions at 19.8 was a decrease of 14.5 from the previous month's 34.3 . The Investing.com forecast was for a reading of 27.
September closed with a whimper (from folks hoping the seven-month stretch of positive performance months for the S&P 500 would make it to eight). The month also held true to the history of September being the worst month for performance on average since the index’s inception in 1928.
Fed funds futures for 2022 and 2023 have broken out to new highs, likely on the back of rising inflation expectations. As things stand now, the market is looking for three hikes by the end of 2023, with the effective fed funds moving from 8bps today to 85bps.
They may not realize it, but the Sussexes just joined one of the hottest trends on Wall Street.
Diversity initiatives are being prioritized now more than ever—just a few weeks ago, the SEC approved Nasdaq’s board diversity policy. My guest today is here to discuss diversity and inclusion within the financial planning profession as well as the efforts the CFP Board’s Center takes to increase diversity within the profession.
Several key technical indicators show that the recent stock market weakness may be much more concerning than most investors believe.
No. We are not repeating the “Roaring 20’s” analog. Ben Carlson had a recent post asking if the “Roaring 20’s” are already here?
We transitioned from scrambling to manage priorities to a technology-driven company where everything is viewable (and actionable) with a mouse click. Here’s what worked for us.
The recent synchronized selloff in equities and Treasuries was likely just the beginning of what’s to come for the popular 60/40 stock-bond portfolio strategy, a growing chorus of Wall Street strategists warn.
Let's take a closer look at Friday's employment report numbers on Full and Part-Time Employment.
Investors need to understand the differences between Chinese capitalism and Western capitalism in order to properly assess the opportunities in China. Meanwhile, norms in India more closely resemble those in the United States— but India has dramatically larger headroom for growth.
The fact we have the lowest interest rates in 5000-years is indicative of the economic challenges we face.
US stocks, as seen by the S&P 500, ended the third quarter unchanged, having shed over 4% in September as fears over the debt ceiling and the Fed’s options erased the summer’s progress. Certainly, the market environment has changed a lot over the past 18 months. Valuations are up, economic data is varied, and the prospects of potential Fed action are growing.
Bitcoin topped $56,000 on Friday for the first time since May as a number of positive crypto developments galvanized investors in the month of “Uptober.”
Take a look at real (inflation-adjusted) charts of the S&P 500, Dow 30, and Nasdaq Composite since 2000. We've updated this through the September 30, 2021 close.
There are a few important lessons that every aspiring entrepreneur should know.
GEA is one of the largest global suppliers of food processing technology, building the machinery, plants, processes and systems that help producers deliver food to people.
The next decade will see an urgent and widespread boom in investments in innovation across all economic sectors, according to Stephen Dover and Kim Catechis of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute. They say this technology wave will be experienced in both private and public sectors, and in every facet of investment portfolios for years to come.
As the world becomes more digitally connected, cybersecurity’s role in business, technology, and society has become mission critical. Simply put, the modern world is built on cybersecurity. Without it, capital cannot flow freely, information cannot be stored safely, and businesses, governments and critical infrastructure cannot operate securely. Hear from CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity company, along with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), and First Trust on noteworthy trends in cybersecurity as well as the importance of the cybersecurity investment theme. The Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index (NQCYBR) is tracked by the world’s largest cybersecurity ETF, the First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR).
The index is comprised of cybersecurity companies, classified by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), this index provides investors with a way of tracking and accessing this critical theme.
In August, the Israeli brokerage eToro hired Lule Demmissie, a longtime wealth-management director at TD Ameritrade and, more recently, president at Ally Invest, to head its growing presence in the U.S. Demmissie, who moved to the U.S. from Ethiopia when she was a teenager, has a lot on her plate.
I am neither for nor against cryptocurrency. If someone wants to use their hard-earned fiat currency to buy bitcoin or ether, go for it. But when you buy cryptocurrency, you own nothing.
In business as in life, a healthy sense of self-awareness is often the first step to meaningful change. Companies that are conscious of their flaws and eager to address the root problems offer a source of solid return potential for equity investors who identify the turnaround stories early.
Robust engagement with company management can be key in sparking catalysts that unlock shareholder value and potentially lead to better returns over the longer term, according to Franklin Mutual Series Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Ambassador Tim Rankin.
The record surge in commodities has intensified investor angst that inflation could upend what has been a Goldilocks period for many markets.
Fiduciary, from the Latin fiducia, means trust. In this article, I contemplate the promise of a new paradigm for earning investor trust.
Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses the latest market data.
Bulls betting that a revival of the reopening trade would keep the U.S. stock market afloat had to face a hard fact on Monday: The technology giants are hard to ignore.
Inflationary pressures are mounting, based on evidence from the recent earnings season. The question for investors is, which companies can pass on those costs to help protect profit margins?
Gold’s average daily trading volume for the one-year period was $183 billion, compared to the S&P 500 with nearly $235 billion. That dollar amount is enough to beat currency swaps as well as all government and corporate debt.
A few months ago in Xi’s Big Mistake, I said Beijing risked killing the entrepreneurial activity that had spurred the country’s rapid growth. As we learn more, this is looking less like a mistake and more like a mistakenly-conceived plan.
If the U.S. and other countries sit idly by, we may look back at today as a turning point in global economic affairs. The U.S. does not have to cede economic growth. But it must readapt capitalistic logic, which, ironically, China is slowly grasping.
We’re upgrading the Staples sector, but only incrementally. Here’s why.
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.
Lay away. Credit cards. Installment loans. We’ve been engaging in “buy now, pay later” practices for decades. The latest model actually bears the title.
Registered investment advisors (RIAs) and financial professionals working within trust companies have been resistant to using annuities for years. In this paper, K. Orian Williams, JD, LL.M, CFP®, highlights exciting new developments in many advisory-friendly annuities. Forward-thinking fiduciary financial professionals may just change their views about these viable strategies.
Recent advisory annuity Innovations:
The country’s leadership has designed a new development model, based on a ‘common prosperity’ philosophy, aimed at modernising the economy by improving the country’s future demographic profile via lowering inequality and promoting sustainable, even if slower, GDP growth which is both less dependent on financial leverage and in harmony with nature.
The COVID-19 crisis has kept our industry on its toes, pushing firms and clients to find new ways to communicate and collaborate in spite of new difficulties. If anything, it has underscored how important it is to use technology to your benefit.
This case study covers how advisors like Mike McCann have used technology to automate routine tasks, stay connected with clients and colleagues, and ensure they provide responsive service for every client. His firm, Perspective Financial Services, has used technology to power growth in the face of these challenges – growth for both their clients and their firm.
In reading Mike’s story and his advice, you too can learn to apply these technology tools to your own practice and be better prepared to take on the unexpected.
We’ll cover powerful and practical tech insights and guidance, including:
Download this case study to learn how your firm can power a better client experience.
As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), knowing how the industry will change and what tomorrow’s clients will want can make you unstoppable. At Schwab Advisor ServicesTM, our mission is to equip you with the innovative products and solutions that firms and investment advisors need to maximize their potential.
In this white paper, we paint a picture of the future of the investment industry – and how independent RIAs will thrive in it – with attention given to these specific areas:
These critical trends have put RIAs in a position to excel, and as a trusted custodian, we are here to help you seize the opportunity. Download this white paper to learn more.
The past year has taught us to reimagine how we connect, learn, and work. As an independent RIA, having the right digital tools and platforms can offer a simpler, faster, and more secure way to support your clients and manage your business.
This case study explores how Clear Sky Wealth’s Stephanie Barnier has boosted her firm’s efficiency by going independent and customizing her tech stack using Schwab’s flexible, best-in-class technology platform. Now, she’s running a modern, digitally enabled practice that is known for being client-forward, fast-acting, and flexible.
Her story covers key findings about tech you can use in your journey, including:
To read more about Stephanie’s story and hear her advice about choosing the tech that’ll make your firm ready to support clients in any environment, follow the link below.
A three-party coalition could soon govern Germany for the first time in the country’s history following recent elections. Matthias Hoppe, senior vice president and portfolio manager, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, believes uncertainty caused by coalition talks is likely to increase volatility in Europe’s financial markets, but changing a conservative attitude to public spending is the real challenge for a new government as Germany wrestles with the reality of increasing macro-economic imbalances and a stated aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
U.S. stocks fell Tuesday on persistent concerns over the debt ceiling, along with a continued increase in Treasury yields. The S&P 500 closed down 2%, the Nasdaq fell 2.8%, and the Russell 2000 fell 2.3%.
Cathie Wood sold a near $270 million stake in Tesla Inc. as the bond selloff hit rate-sensitive technology stocks to spur outflows from her growth-focused funds.
We have become famous (or infamous) regarding our views that there is a bubble in long-duration assets. In this report, we investigate what’s causing such widespread bubbles, their potential effects on the overall economy, and the interesting investment opportunities resulting from the bubble’s misallocation of capital.
Seeking income with Treasury yields at rock bottom levels and investors enduring widespread dividend cuts this year presents a daunting challenge. The HNDL ETF was created to address this challenge, and to meet the cash flow needs of its investors. It is a target distribution strategy that leverages a modern portfolio theory approach focused on risk-adjusted returns to deliver steady cash flow to investors while maintaining the principal over the long-run.
The Chinese government may yet succeed in insulating the broader market from the financial crisis at real estate giant Evergrande. But the larger challenge is to rebalance an economy that has depended for far too long on the bloated housing market for jobs and growth.
As the globe enters the waning months of 2021, concerns over inflation, the delta variant of COVID-19 and the unwinding of easy-money policies loom large for markets. Despite this, we believe that the business cycle is still in a recovery phase, although it’s maturing. We expect more cyclical upside for economic growth outside the U.S. in the months ahead, allowing market leadership to rotate toward the rest of the world.
Alumni of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are the graduates best positioned to find a job as the global economy roars back and employers look to fill open positions.
Evergrande Group, the “too big to fail” Chinese property developer, rattled markets last Monday when it missed interest payments to at least two of its lenders. This gave more than a few investors flashbacks to Lehman Brothers’ demise in 2008, which helped trigger the global financial crisis.
I have found great success in providing a fun, energetic learning environment to meet the needs and diverse goals of each office and advisor I encounter through deep consideration of the following three things: diverse learning styles, varying experience levels, and the importance of repetition.
Dirty work, by its very nature, is simultaneously everywhere and, by design, invisible, from our dinner plates to our cell phones. The more aware of it we are, the better chance we have of preserving our way of life, and likely, in the end, our portfolios as well.
The new dual thrust of Chinese policy – redistribution plus re-regulation – will subdue the entrepreneurial activity that has been so important in powering China’s dynamic private sector. Without animal spirits, the case for indigenous innovation is in tatters.
Investors and financial advisors alike want to understand the fascinating trends that are transforming the investment industry.
Against the backdrop of a potential Evergrande failure, gold and Bitcoin look very attractive as stores of value, and both happen to be on sale right now.
The Delta variant and supply constraints are the biggest worries for the global outlook.
Emerging markets have evolved over the last few decades. Today, Asia is the core of growth, rising consumption and innovation within emerging markets, and world class industry leaders in innovation have changed the game of investing.
Prior to today, the S&P 500 index was down four days in a row, and many market observers are blaming China, specifically the recent news about Evergrande, a major Chinese real estate company that looks to be heading to default on its loans.
Senior Sovereign Analyst Bo Zhuang clears up some key questions about China's regulatory crackdown.
People can be just the worst borrowers, failing to pay what they owe especially if defaulting doesn’t cost them their house or their car. That’s why credit cards charge eye-watering interest rates and late fees.
Following the strong performance in the first half of the year, economic growth was bound to moderate in the second half. Growth is still expected to be strong by historical standards. Yet, it may be disappointing for some investors.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought college financial-planning platform Frank, the latest in a string of acquisitions the largest U.S. bank has made this year to compete with both big technology firms and fintech upstarts.
There’s a fallacy among advisors that selecting a platform partner is an either/or proposition: a TAMP or an open-architecture solution. There is a middle ground. Some describe it as a “full-service portfolio management platform.” The team at SEI calls it a TechstodianSM.
Meeting cash flow needs through distributions is becoming challenging with Treasury yields at rock bottom levels and investors enduring widespread dividend cuts this year. Trying to generate a meaningful yield often means unacceptable credit risk. For investors looking to fund their day-to-day lives, a better approach may be to focus on maximizing risk-adjusted returns and manufacturing a distribution to meet individual cash flow needs while managing risk and return. Target distribution strategies seek to leverage a modern portfolio theory approach focused on risk-adjusted returns to deliver steady cash flow to investors while maintaining the principal over the long-run.
Let us share some of the “bizarre red-blue lights flashing” in the S&P 500 Index.
Given today’s high debt ratios, supply-side risks, and ultra-loose monetary and fiscal policies, the rosy scenario that is currently priced into financial markets may turn out to be a pipe dream. Over the medium term, a variety of persistent negative supply shocks could turn today’s mild stagflation into a severe case.
It’s becoming more and more difficult to be in the fossil fuel business. On both sides of the Atlantic, lawmakers and unelected bureaucrats are turning up the heat, so to speak, on companies over the issue of climate change.
As I have discussed in a number of recent posts, leading economic data continues to suggest a cyclical slowdown in the business cycle is upon us and is likely to continue to persist for the coming months.
The inflation outlook has become a hotly debated topic in recent months. So far, this has had only a minor impact on financial asset pricing, but bond yields may be a coiled spring at risk of painfully adjusting higher when investors eventually discover inflation is an issue.
The Fed governors will soon decide when and how to taper asset purchases.
Let’s address the pros and cons of joining an existing RIA.
The expectations our clients and prospects have for technology are continually evolving and we must evolve with them.
The four emotions that I encounter in client interactions are fear, guilt, shame and envy. By anticipating and learning how to address them, we can tailor solutions to each client.
After 40-years of economic erosion, there are still deficit deniers.
Grim as things seem, most of us are in better shape than we’d be in a higher rate environment. Before inquiring about the strength of the product purchased from my local cannabis outlet, let me explain.
New research shows that private investments in public equities (PIPEs) offer attractive returns, but those are driven by a small number of deals that deliver exceptional returns (“home runs”).
Today we’ll take another walk through the inflation debate. Is it still transitory or should we expect a light-1970s inflation going forward? The answer is critically important.
About the Episode
Recent supply chain issues have shed light on the importance of semiconductors in everyday life. Tariq Siddiqi, Senior Research Analyst at Eagle Asset Management joins Matt Orton, CFA, Director and Portfolio Specialist at Carillon Tower Advisers, to discuss how the chip shortage could impact the future of the semiconductor industry.
About our Guest
Tariq Siddiqi serves as a Senior Research Analyst, technology, for Eagle Asset Management. He is a tech generalist with 18 years of experience covering small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap technology companies globally.
Innovative ETFs
The Case for Crypto Assets: The Next Digital Revolution
Crypto assets may provide an alternative form of exposure when compared to traditional investments or fiat currencies through their unique characteristics.
Join us as speakers from crypto-expert Hashdex, renowned index provider Nasdaq and global asset manager Victory Capital help you gain a better understanding of the current crypto landscape and the longer-term investment opportunity at hand.
BlackRock Says Active Managers Should Seize ESG to Beat Market
BlackRock Inc. said active investors have an opportunity to beat the market by digging deeper into information about the sustainability of companies.
Bernanke: Inflation will Moderate in 2022 with 2% to 3% Growth and Full Employment
Look forward to moderating inflation, 2% to 3% growth and full employment in 2022, according to Ben Bernanke.
Impending Super Cycle Commodity Signal Argues Against Transitory Inflation
We are in uncharted waters on many fronts, so no one can really answer that inflation/deflation question with any degree of certainty. We can however, look to the technical condition of commodity markets for guidance, since they have usually, acted as a barometer for more generalized swings in inflationary and deflationary pressures. Commodity prices look poised to signal a new secular bull market, which would likely broaden out to result in the highest more generalized inflation rates since the 1970’s.
Five Marketing Truths You Don't Want to Hear
Marketing occurs in the advisory profession in the absence of common sense. Here are five brazen misunderstandings shared by the readers of my articles.
10x10, Part 1: Asset owner and manager perspectives on diversity & inclusion
Excerpts from Cerulli Associates' report on asset owner and manager perspectives when it comes to promoting diversity & inclusion.
Reluctant About Going Solo? Join a Network
Leaving an established firm to go out on your own might solve some of your problems, but they will be replaced by a new host of obstacles and challenges.
Fed Policy is Driving Homelessness
In a society with a weak social safety net, homelessness is the inevitable result of exuberant real estate prices. Those living on the street are the indirect victims of loose monetary policy and low interest rates that foster high property and rental prices.
Venerated Voices™ Q3 2021 Rankings
We have announced our Venerated Voices™ awards for commentaries published in Q3 2021.
Stop the ESG Nonsense
Recently there has been a backlash against ESG-based investing. Some of this backlash is on target; some of it is completely wrong. None of it, however, fully identifies the worst thing about the ESG industry.
What Is Shadow Inflation? It Could Be More Prevalent Than You Realize
We’re all familiar with inflation. But did you know there’s another form of inflation that’s just as corrosive on our purchasing power and yet is nearly impossible to measure? Read on to learn more.
Logistical Sandpiles
The ongoing, intensifying supply chain problems are raising costs in ways that add broad inflation pressure everyone will feel. And the zeitgeist in the workplace is literally changing before our eyes.
Areté market review Q3 21
After solid performance in both July and August, the S&P 500 was considerably weaker in September. It was more than just passing weakness, however. The stock market looked much less the cocksure prize fighter than the contender who took a shot to the jaw that wobbled his knees.
Empire State Mfg Survey: Solid Growth in October
This morning we got the latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The diffusion index for General Business Conditions at 19.8 was a decrease of 14.5 from the previous month's 34.3 . The Investing.com forecast was for a reading of 27.
Flavor of the Weak: Notable End to Some Key Winning Streaks
September closed with a whimper (from folks hoping the seven-month stretch of positive performance months for the S&P 500 would make it to eight). The month also held true to the history of September being the worst month for performance on average since the index’s inception in 1928.
Is Inflation Starting to Impact Equity Returns?
Fed funds futures for 2022 and 2023 have broken out to new highs, likely on the back of rising inflation expectations. As things stand now, the market is looking for three hikes by the end of 2023, with the effective fed funds moving from 8bps today to 85bps.
Even Harry and Meghan Are Joining the Build-Your-Own Index Craze
They may not realize it, but the Sussexes just joined one of the hottest trends on Wall Street.
Achieving Diversity in the Financial Planning Profession
Diversity initiatives are being prioritized now more than ever—just a few weeks ago, the SEC approved Nasdaq’s board diversity policy. My guest today is here to discuss diversity and inclusion within the financial planning profession as well as the efforts the CFP Board’s Center takes to increase diversity within the profession.
What Stock And ETF Investors Need To Know About The Recent Stock Market Weakness
Several key technical indicators show that the recent stock market weakness may be much more concerning than most investors believe.
Why We Aren’t Repeating The Roaring 20’s Analog
No. We are not repeating the “Roaring 20’s” analog. Ben Carlson had a recent post asking if the “Roaring 20’s” are already here?
The Two Decisions That Drove Growth for My Business
We transitioned from scrambling to manage priorities to a technology-driven company where everything is viewable (and actionable) with a mouse click. Here’s what worked for us.
Banks Analysts Warn That 60/40 Portfolios Could Be Battered by Inflation
The recent synchronized selloff in equities and Treasuries was likely just the beginning of what’s to come for the popular 60/40 stock-bond portfolio strategy, a growing chorus of Wall Street strategists warn.
Full-time and Part-time Employment: A Deeper Look
Let's take a closer look at Friday's employment report numbers on Full and Part-Time Employment.
Our Take on China and India
Investors need to understand the differences between Chinese capitalism and Western capitalism in order to properly assess the opportunities in China. Meanwhile, norms in India more closely resemble those in the United States— but India has dramatically larger headroom for growth.
The 5000-Year View Of Rates & The Economic Consequences
The fact we have the lowest interest rates in 5000-years is indicative of the economic challenges we face.
Q3 2021 Market Commentary Answers to Our Most Recent Client Questions
US stocks, as seen by the S&P 500, ended the third quarter unchanged, having shed over 4% in September as fears over the debt ceiling and the Fed’s options erased the summer’s progress. Certainly, the market environment has changed a lot over the past 18 months. Valuations are up, economic data is varied, and the prospects of potential Fed action are growing.
"Uptober" Doesn't Disappoint as Bitcoin Touches $56,000
Bitcoin topped $56,000 on Friday for the first time since May as a number of positive crypto developments galvanized investors in the month of “Uptober.”
The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq Since Their 2000 Highs
Take a look at real (inflation-adjusted) charts of the S&P 500, Dow 30, and Nasdaq Composite since 2000. We've updated this through the September 30, 2021 close.
What Every Aspiring Entrepreneur Can Learn from Christopher Columbus
There are a few important lessons that every aspiring entrepreneur should know.
Spotlight GEA Group: Processing Half of All Beer on Earth
GEA is one of the largest global suppliers of food processing technology, building the machinery, plants, processes and systems that help producers deliver food to people.
Quick Thoughts: Innovation Builds Deep Water Technology Waves
The next decade will see an urgent and widespread boom in investments in innovation across all economic sectors, according to Stephen Dover and Kim Catechis of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute. They say this technology wave will be experienced in both private and public sectors, and in every facet of investment portfolios for years to come.
Cybersecurity: The Investment Theme for a Secure Future
As the world becomes more digitally connected, cybersecurity’s role in business, technology, and society has become mission critical. Simply put, the modern world is built on cybersecurity. Without it, capital cannot flow freely, information cannot be stored safely, and businesses, governments and critical infrastructure cannot operate securely. Hear from CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity company, along with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), and First Trust on noteworthy trends in cybersecurity as well as the importance of the cybersecurity investment theme. The Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index (NQCYBR) is tracked by the world’s largest cybersecurity ETF, the First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR).
The index is comprised of cybersecurity companies, classified by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), this index provides investors with a way of tracking and accessing this critical theme.
U.S. CEO of Crypto-Focused Broker Has Regulation on Her Mind
In August, the Israeli brokerage eToro hired Lule Demmissie, a longtime wealth-management director at TD Ameritrade and, more recently, president at Ally Invest, to head its growing presence in the U.S. Demmissie, who moved to the U.S. from Ethiopia when she was a teenager, has a lot on her plate.
When You Buy Cryptocurrency, You Own Nothing
I am neither for nor against cryptocurrency. If someone wants to use their hard-earned fiat currency to buy bitcoin or ether, go for it. But when you buy cryptocurrency, you own nothing.
Self-Help for Companies Unlocks Equity Return Potential
In business as in life, a healthy sense of self-awareness is often the first step to meaningful change. Companies that are conscious of their flaws and eager to address the root problems offer a source of solid return potential for equity investors who identify the turnaround stories early.
The Value of Being Actively and Constructively Engaged
Robust engagement with company management can be key in sparking catalysts that unlock shareholder value and potentially lead to better returns over the longer term, according to Franklin Mutual Series Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Ambassador Tim Rankin.
These Assets Are Most Exposed to Commodity-Fueled Inflation
The record surge in commodities has intensified investor angst that inflation could upend what has been a Goldilocks period for many markets.
Investor Trust in 2021 – No Longer Hitched to Wall Street?
Fiduciary, from the Latin fiducia, means trust. In this article, I contemplate the promise of a new paradigm for earning investor trust.
Weekly Market Snapshot
Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses the latest market data.
Faang’s Dominance Too Hard to Overcome as 10% Correction Looms
Bulls betting that a revival of the reopening trade would keep the U.S. stock market afloat had to face a hard fact on Monday: The technology giants are hard to ignore.
Searching for Companies with Pricing Power as Inflation Looms
Inflationary pressures are mounting, based on evidence from the recent earnings season. The question for investors is, which companies can pass on those costs to help protect profit margins?
Gold Is Now the Second Most Liquid Asset on Earth
Gold’s average daily trading volume for the one-year period was $183 billion, compared to the S&P 500 with nearly $235 billion. That dollar amount is enough to beat currency swaps as well as all government and corporate debt.
Xi’s Changing Plan
A few months ago in Xi’s Big Mistake, I said Beijing risked killing the entrepreneurial activity that had spurred the country’s rapid growth. As we learn more, this is looking less like a mistake and more like a mistakenly-conceived plan.
China and the Turning Point in Global Economic Affairs
If the U.S. and other countries sit idly by, we may look back at today as a turning point in global economic affairs. The U.S. does not have to cede economic growth. But it must readapt capitalistic logic, which, ironically, China is slowly grasping.
Schwab Sector Views: Neutral on Consumer Staples
We’re upgrading the Staples sector, but only incrementally. Here’s why.
Looking Back at the Markets in Q3 and Ahead to Q4 2021
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.
Yes, You Can Buy Now, Pay Later. But Should You?: Erin Lowry
Lay away. Credit cards. Installment loans. We’ve been engaging in “buy now, pay later” practices for decades. The latest model actually bears the title.
Annuity Innovation in the RIA World
Registered investment advisors (RIAs) and financial professionals working within trust companies have been resistant to using annuities for years. In this paper, K. Orian Williams, JD, LL.M, CFP®, highlights exciting new developments in many advisory-friendly annuities. Forward-thinking fiduciary financial professionals may just change their views about these viable strategies.
Recent advisory annuity Innovations:
China’s new development strategy: greener, less unequal, more sustainable
The country’s leadership has designed a new development model, based on a ‘common prosperity’ philosophy, aimed at modernising the economy by improving the country’s future demographic profile via lowering inequality and promoting sustainable, even if slower, GDP growth which is both less dependent on financial leverage and in harmony with nature.
Schwab Tech Smarts, Insight #1
The COVID-19 crisis has kept our industry on its toes, pushing firms and clients to find new ways to communicate and collaborate in spite of new difficulties. If anything, it has underscored how important it is to use technology to your benefit.
This case study covers how advisors like Mike McCann have used technology to automate routine tasks, stay connected with clients and colleagues, and ensure they provide responsive service for every client. His firm, Perspective Financial Services, has used technology to power growth in the face of these challenges – growth for both their clients and their firm.
In reading Mike’s story and his advice, you too can learn to apply these technology tools to your own practice and be better prepared to take on the unexpected.
We’ll cover powerful and practical tech insights and guidance, including:
Download this case study to learn how your firm can power a better client experience.
Mastering the Moment
As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), knowing how the industry will change and what tomorrow’s clients will want can make you unstoppable. At Schwab Advisor ServicesTM, our mission is to equip you with the innovative products and solutions that firms and investment advisors need to maximize their potential.
In this white paper, we paint a picture of the future of the investment industry – and how independent RIAs will thrive in it – with attention given to these specific areas:
These critical trends have put RIAs in a position to excel, and as a trusted custodian, we are here to help you seize the opportunity. Download this white paper to learn more.
Schwab Tech Smarts, Insight #2
The past year has taught us to reimagine how we connect, learn, and work. As an independent RIA, having the right digital tools and platforms can offer a simpler, faster, and more secure way to support your clients and manage your business.
This case study explores how Clear Sky Wealth’s Stephanie Barnier has boosted her firm’s efficiency by going independent and customizing her tech stack using Schwab’s flexible, best-in-class technology platform. Now, she’s running a modern, digitally enabled practice that is known for being client-forward, fast-acting, and flexible.
Her story covers key findings about tech you can use in your journey, including:
To read more about Stephanie’s story and hear her advice about choosing the tech that’ll make your firm ready to support clients in any environment, follow the link below.
Coalition Politics: Compromise is Key to Funding Germany’s Future
A three-party coalition could soon govern Germany for the first time in the country’s history following recent elections. Matthias Hoppe, senior vice president and portfolio manager, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, believes uncertainty caused by coalition talks is likely to increase volatility in Europe’s financial markets, but changing a conservative attitude to public spending is the real challenge for a new government as Germany wrestles with the reality of increasing macro-economic imbalances and a stated aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
Market Volatility: Schwab’s Quick Take
U.S. stocks fell Tuesday on persistent concerns over the debt ceiling, along with a continued increase in Treasury yields. The S&P 500 closed down 2%, the Nasdaq fell 2.8%, and the Russell 2000 fell 2.3%.
Cathie Wood Sells $270 Million in Tesla as Bond Selloff Hits
Cathie Wood sold a near $270 million stake in Tesla Inc. as the bond selloff hit rate-sensitive technology stocks to spur outflows from her growth-focused funds.
Anatomy of a Bubble
We have become famous (or infamous) regarding our views that there is a bubble in long-duration assets. In this report, we investigate what’s causing such widespread bubbles, their potential effects on the overall economy, and the interesting investment opportunities resulting from the bubble’s misallocation of capital.
How Target-Distribution Strategies Deliver a 7% Yield
Seeking income with Treasury yields at rock bottom levels and investors enduring widespread dividend cuts this year presents a daunting challenge. The HNDL ETF was created to address this challenge, and to meet the cash flow needs of its investors. It is a target distribution strategy that leverages a modern portfolio theory approach focused on risk-adjusted returns to deliver steady cash flow to investors while maintaining the principal over the long-run.
China's Housing Conundrum
The Chinese government may yet succeed in insulating the broader market from the financial crisis at real estate giant Evergrande. But the larger challenge is to rebalance an economy that has depended for far too long on the bloated housing market for jobs and growth.
2021 Global Market Outlook – Q4 update: Growing pains
As the globe enters the waning months of 2021, concerns over inflation, the delta variant of COVID-19 and the unwinding of easy-money policies loom large for markets. Despite this, we believe that the business cycle is still in a recovery phase, although it’s maturing. We expect more cyclical upside for economic growth outside the U.S. in the months ahead, allowing market leadership to rotate toward the rest of the world.
MIT Wins Ranking of Most-Employable Colleges for Third Year
Alumni of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are the graduates best positioned to find a job as the global economy roars back and employers look to fill open positions.
Gold Maintained Its Haven Status During the Evergrande Selloff
Evergrande Group, the “too big to fail” Chinese property developer, rattled markets last Monday when it missed interest payments to at least two of its lenders. This gave more than a few investors flashbacks to Lehman Brothers’ demise in 2008, which helped trigger the global financial crisis.
The Role of Education in Financial Technology Adoption
I have found great success in providing a fun, energetic learning environment to meet the needs and diverse goals of each office and advisor I encounter through deep consideration of the following three things: diverse learning styles, varying experience levels, and the importance of repetition.
The Dirty Jobs that Lie Beneath Economic Growth
Dirty work, by its very nature, is simultaneously everywhere and, by design, invisible, from our dinner plates to our cell phones. The more aware of it we are, the better chance we have of preserving our way of life, and likely, in the end, our portfolios as well.
Connecting the Dots in China
The new dual thrust of Chinese policy – redistribution plus re-regulation – will subdue the entrepreneurial activity that has been so important in powering China’s dynamic private sector. Without animal spirits, the case for indigenous innovation is in tatters.
Digital Trends Impacting Investors and Advisors
Investors and financial advisors alike want to understand the fascinating trends that are transforming the investment industry.
Gold Passed the Evergrande "Stress Test"
Against the backdrop of a potential Evergrande failure, gold and Bitcoin look very attractive as stores of value, and both happen to be on sale right now.
The Initial Acceleration Stage Of The Recovery Is Behind Us
The Delta variant and supply constraints are the biggest worries for the global outlook.
Why EM Still Fits in Your Portfolio
Emerging markets have evolved over the last few decades. Today, Asia is the core of growth, rising consumption and innovation within emerging markets, and world class industry leaders in innovation have changed the game of investing.
China Worries Unwarranted
Prior to today, the S&P 500 index was down four days in a row, and many market observers are blaming China, specifically the recent news about Evergrande, a major Chinese real estate company that looks to be heading to default on its loans.
A Guide to Understanding China's Regulatory Crackdown
Senior Sovereign Analyst Bo Zhuang clears up some key questions about China's regulatory crackdown.
Even Goldman Sachs Is Jumping Aboard Buy Now, Pay Later: Paul J. Davies
People can be just the worst borrowers, failing to pay what they owe especially if defaulting doesn’t cost them their house or their car. That’s why credit cards charge eye-watering interest rates and late fees.
Downshift
Following the strong performance in the first half of the year, economic growth was bound to moderate in the second half. Growth is still expected to be strong by historical standards. Yet, it may be disappointing for some investors.
JPMorgan Adds to Tech Acquisitions With College Platform Frank
JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought college financial-planning platform Frank, the latest in a string of acquisitions the largest U.S. bank has made this year to compete with both big technology firms and fintech upstarts.
Is Custody Free? The New Generation of Custodial Options for Advisors
There’s a fallacy among advisors that selecting a platform partner is an either/or proposition: a TAMP or an open-architecture solution. There is a middle ground. Some describe it as a “full-service portfolio management platform.” The team at SEI calls it a TechstodianSM.
Yield is Just a Number: How Nasdaq Dorsey Wright’s Approach Can Help Investors Meet Cash Flow Needs
Meeting cash flow needs through distributions is becoming challenging with Treasury yields at rock bottom levels and investors enduring widespread dividend cuts this year. Trying to generate a meaningful yield often means unacceptable credit risk. For investors looking to fund their day-to-day lives, a better approach may be to focus on maximizing risk-adjusted returns and manufacturing a distribution to meet individual cash flow needs while managing risk and return. Target distribution strategies seek to leverage a modern portfolio theory approach focused on risk-adjusted returns to deliver steady cash flow to investors while maintaining the principal over the long-run.
How Bizarre
Let us share some of the “bizarre red-blue lights flashing” in the S&P 500 Index.
Goldilocks Is Dying
Given today’s high debt ratios, supply-side risks, and ultra-loose monetary and fiscal policies, the rosy scenario that is currently priced into financial markets may turn out to be a pipe dream. Over the medium term, a variety of persistent negative supply shocks could turn today’s mild stagflation into a severe case.
Running a Fossil Fuel Business Isn't What It Used to Be
It’s becoming more and more difficult to be in the fossil fuel business. On both sides of the Atlantic, lawmakers and unelected bureaucrats are turning up the heat, so to speak, on companies over the issue of climate change.
Economic Growth Outlook: The Slowdown Continues
As I have discussed in a number of recent posts, leading economic data continues to suggest a cyclical slowdown in the business cycle is upon us and is likely to continue to persist for the coming months.
Inflation
The inflation outlook has become a hotly debated topic in recent months. So far, this has had only a minor impact on financial asset pricing, but bond yields may be a coiled spring at risk of painfully adjusting higher when investors eventually discover inflation is an issue.
Fed Preview: Time To Taper
The Fed governors will soon decide when and how to taper asset purchases.
Ask Brad: Should I Join an Existing RIA?
Let’s address the pros and cons of joining an existing RIA.
Technology Strengthens Client Relationships, Attracts New Investors
The expectations our clients and prospects have for technology are continually evolving and we must evolve with them.
The Four Drivers of Client Emotions
The four emotions that I encounter in client interactions are fear, guilt, shame and envy. By anticipating and learning how to address them, we can tailor solutions to each client.
Deficit Deniers & 40-Years Of Economic Erosion
After 40-years of economic erosion, there are still deficit deniers.
Who Wins with Low Interest Rates?
Grim as things seem, most of us are in better shape than we’d be in a higher rate environment. Before inquiring about the strength of the product purchased from my local cannabis outlet, let me explain.
The Unappealing Economics of PIPEs
New research shows that private investments in public equities (PIPEs) offer attractive returns, but those are driven by a small number of deals that deliver exceptional returns (“home runs”).
Fossil Fuels Are Under Siege. Is Misinformation to Blame?
It’s becoming more and more difficult to be in the fossil fuel business. On both sides of the Atlantic, lawmakers and unelected bureaucrats are turning up the heat, so to speak, on companies over the issue of climate change.
Inflation: More Transitory than Expected
Today we’ll take another walk through the inflation debate. Is it still transitory or should we expect a light-1970s inflation going forward? The answer is critically important.
Not enough chips on the table
About the Episode
Recent supply chain issues have shed light on the importance of semiconductors in everyday life. Tariq Siddiqi, Senior Research Analyst at Eagle Asset Management joins Matt Orton, CFA, Director and Portfolio Specialist at Carillon Tower Advisers, to discuss how the chip shortage could impact the future of the semiconductor industry.
About our Guest
Tariq Siddiqi serves as a Senior Research Analyst, technology, for Eagle Asset Management. He is a tech generalist with 18 years of experience covering small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap technology companies globally.