Nerd's Eye View

APRIL 5, 2024

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" - this week's edition kicks off with the news that customer arbitration claims related to the SEC's Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) nearly doubled between 2022 and 2023, suggesting that greater awareness among investors of the increased standards for broker-dealers and their registered representatives could lead to greater accountability for violations of the regulation.

Financial Planner 237

Financial Planner Fee Only Clients Investing 237

Abnormal Returns

APRIL 5, 2024

Markets The global universe of public equities is shrinking. (ft.com) Two stocks accounted for a third of the Russell 2000's 5.2% return in Q1. (wsj.com) Magnificent Seven earning revisions are slowing. (ft.com) Strategy Rebalancing isn't market timing. (awealthofcommonsense.com) Why you should 'diversify your diversifiers.' (rogersplanning.blogspot.com) FTX Behind the scenes, former FTX customers are struggling.

Financial Advising 219

Financial Advising Advertising Media Economy 219

The Big Picture

APRIL 5, 2024

This week, we speak with Ed Hyman, founder and chairman of Evercore ISI International Ltd. and vice chairman of Evercore Inc. He heads Evercore ISI’s economic research team. During his career, Hyman has been ranked as #1 in economics an unprecedented 43 consecutive times by Institutional Investor’s poll of investors. He explains the genesis of the broad and deep industry surveys ISI performs; the results provide a real-time snapshot of the economy weeks or months before it shows up in the

Economics 161

Economics Economy Investing Investments 161

Abnormal Returns

APRIL 5, 2024

The biz How Apple ($AAPL) Podcasts Subscriptions advantages select podcasters. (semafor.com) If Google Podcasts worked, why did Alphabet ($GOOGL) kill it? (theverge.com) It looks like the SB Nation Podcast network is no more. (barrettsportsmedia.com) Spotify ($SPOT) still has a bot problem. (wired.com) Economy Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway talk with Arpit Gupta, associate professor of finance at New York University's Stern School of Business about the risk of the 'urban doom loop.

Economy 219

Economy Economics Management Banking 219

Speaker: Nancy Wu, Head of Sales and Customer Success at SkyStem

Join us for an enlightening webinar as we delve into the transformative realm of modern accounting practices. In today's digital age, the convergence of outsourcing and automation has revolutionized how businesses manage their financial operations. In this webinar we will explore the synergistic potential of these two strategies to streamline processes, enhance accuracy, save cost and drive strategic decision-making.

Accounting

Calculated Risk

APRIL 5, 2024

The headline jobs number in the March employment report was above expectations; and January and February payrolls were revised up by 22,000 combined. The participation rate and the employment population ratio both increased, and the unemployment rate decreased to 3.8%. Leisure and hospitality gained 49 thousand jobs in March and is now above pre-pandemic levels.

Numbers 121

Numbers Economics Manufacturing 121

Calculated Risk

APRIL 5, 2024

From the BLS : Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 303,000 in March, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.8 percent , the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in health care, government, and construction. The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for January was revised up by 27,000, from +229,000 to +256,000, and the change for February was revised down by 5,000, from +275,000 to +270,000.

Government 117

Government 117

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 5, 2024

The weekly leading economic index (WLEI) is a composite for the U.S economy that draws from over 20 time-series and groups them into the following six broad categories which are then used to construct an equally weighted average. As of March 22nd, the index was at 26.456, down 0.454 from the previous week, with 5 of the 6 components in expansion territory.

Economics 105

Economics Economy 105

Calculated Risk

APRIL 5, 2024

From BofA: Since our update last week, 1Q GDP tracking is down two-tenths to 2.0% q/q saar. Also, 4Q GDP came in at 3.4% q/q saar in the third and final estimate, close to our 3.5% forecast. [Apr 5th estimate] emphasis added From Goldman: The details of the trade balance report were somewhat firmer than our previous expectations, and we boosted our Q1 GDP tracking estimate by 0.2pp to +2.5%.

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Truemind Capital

APRIL 5, 2024

As many of you know, I am an investment professional. Very few know that I am also a regular table tennis player. I play at least 4 to 5 times a week. Therefore, it’s natural for me to think of analogies from table tennis that apply to winning the game of investments. Here are three fundamental qualities that you need to win in sports and investments (applicable to many sports but I will stick to table tennis here): 1.

Investing 105

Investing Investments Risk Tolerance Asset Allocation 105

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As we step into 2024, the lending landscape evolves rapidly with technology, regulations, and market dynamics driving change. For banks and financial institutions to stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of their customers, these drivers must be understood and engaged with. Lenders can anticipate significant transformation fueled by technological advancements, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer behaviors.

Banking

The Irrelevant Investor

APRIL 5, 2024

Seven years ago I wrote a post about why negative catalysts are a million times easier to identify than positive ones: “Bad news smashes your face against an amplifier, while good news just plays quietly in the background.” Artificial intelligence, is one of the rare cases, like the internet before it, that opens up doors that where there were only walls, to quote Joseph Campbell.

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Wealth Management

APRIL 5, 2024

It was a remarkable week in the already indefatigable RIA market, with at least 14 deals announced, two new launches and more than $22 billion in transacted assets.

Assets 107

Assets Marketing Marketing 107

Calculated Risk

APRIL 5, 2024

From Manheim Consulting today: Wholesale Used-Vehicle Prices Declined in March Wholesale used-vehicle prices (on a mix, mileage, and seasonally adjusted basis) were down in March compared to February. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) fell to 203.1, a decline of 14.7% from a year ago. The decline in the index was driven by the seasonal adjustment, resulting in a 0.4% month-over-month decrease.

Consulting 78

Consulting Sales 78

Wealth Management

APRIL 5, 2024

F2 Strategy's co-founder and CEO provides his take on the most important wealth management technology news of the last month.

Wealth Management 119

Wealth Management Management 119

Speaker: Joe Buhrmann, MBA, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® Senior Financial Planning Practice Management Consultant eMoney Advisor

During an era of evolving consumer preferences, the banking sector is undergoing a profound shift. As customers continue to broaden their perspectives, banking professionals must support their customers' financial wellness by providing holistic financial advice that aligns with individual goals and circumstances. Without adapting, financial institutions will find that loyalty may crumble amid uncertainty.

Financial Advice

Alpha Architect

APRIL 5, 2024

Studies have found that there is a correlation between stock market downturns and an increase in hospital admissions for mental illness, an increase in domestic violence, deteriorating mental health among retirees, and increased depression rates. How the Stock Market Impacts Investor Mental Health was originally published at Alpha Architect. Please read the Alpha Architect disclosures at your convenience.

Marketing 74

Marketing Marketing Investing Investments 74

Wealth Management

APRIL 5, 2024

Historically, the real estate investment manager relied on independent broker/dealers to reach private wealth. It wants to diversify both its distribution and its investment offerings.

Distribution 100

Distribution Management Investing Investments 100

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 5, 2024

The S&P 500 started off the second quarter of 2024 in the red, finishing down 0.95% from last week. The index is currently up 9.73% year to date and has set a new record closing high 22 times so far this year.

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Wealth Management

APRIL 5, 2024

Gert van der Geer explains how financial advisors can incorporate thematic investments in their client's investment portfolios.

Investing 105

Investing Investments Financial Advisor Assets 105

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Digital platforms can provide you with plenty of solutions, yet many are still intimidated by them. It's time to end that worry and embrace what could make a major difference for your bank. Understanding how they work and how to best utilize them for your banks is key toward success. In this article, Biz2X breaks down all things digital platforms, including the many advantages of embracing them.

Banking

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 5, 2024

There is a general belief that there are four big indicators that the NBER Business Cycle Dating Committee weighs heavily in their cycle identification process. This commentary focuses on one of those indicators, nonfarm employment. March saw a 303,000 increase in total non-farm payrolls and the unemployment fell to 3.8%.

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Wealth Management

APRIL 5, 2024

Around four dozen new ETFs launched in March. The majority are equities-based with a handful based off bonds or other asset types.

Assets 103

Assets 103

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 5, 2024

As a retirement economist — not to be confused with a retired economist, which are rare — I often find myself talking to Wall Street types who happen to be in charge of a lot of other people’s money.

Retirement 59

Retirement 59

Random Roger's Retirement Planning

APRIL 5, 2024

Meb Faber interviewed Cliff Asness in a podcast format. There was plenty of great stuff of course, this post covers some points made that stood to me as worth expanding on and exploring. They talked about when a potential investor, the context is a large institutional investor, talks about investing a small amount to see how it does for a while. Both Cliff and Meb agreed that whatever this person has in mind for "does for a while" is going to be too short a timeframe to draw any useful conclusio

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Portfolio Numbers Taxes Investing 57

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All accounting teams know what it is like to dread the inevitable month-end scaries. If there was a way to feel less burdened and maybe even a little enthusiastic to work on your month-end close and reconciliation process, would you do it? No, don't answer that, of course you would! Automate your month-end close process by up to 40% with SkyStem's ART and see how much more alive you feel!

Accounting

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 5, 2024

A rough start to the year for bond traders just got worse as data showed a buoyant US labor market with few of the stresses that could prompt the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.

Marketing 52

Marketing Marketing 52

Validea

APRIL 5, 2024

The NASDAQ 100 has performed exceptionally well over the past decade, driven by the strong performance of technology companies that make up a significant portion of its holdings. The index is comprised of the top 100 largest non-financial stocks listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. Looking at a 10-year chart of the NASDAQ 100’s performance against the S&P 500 is all you need to do to understand just how well it has performed.

Retail 52

Retail Sales Manufacturing Management 52

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 5, 2024

Shares in Google-parent Alphabet Inc. have lagged competitors so far this year. There is worry its faltering progress in artificial intelligence means the outlook’s not so hot for its core business of selling ads alongside search results. But one part of its empire, minimally detailed on the company’s filings like some side hustle, shows no sign of being knocked from its throne.

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Sara Grillo

APRIL 5, 2024

Question from a subscriber: “I’d like to be funny but being a financial advisor is a serious job. I’m scared to lose credibility.” Agree. I wouldn’t want my heart surgeon trying to make me crack up, either. But there are certain stages in the process of earning a client’s trust where a leeeetle financial advisor humor can be a huge asset.

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Financial Advisor Media CFP Education 52

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Creating a winning digital lending experience requires plenty of focus on the needs of customers and more. Biz2X Chief Product Officer Aaron Traub covers everything from how to create such an experience, areas to hone in on, pitfalls to avoid, and plenty more in this insightful article. Discover how to utilize new technology without alienating existing customers, what to emphasize when working on your platform, and how to utilize the data at your disposal while not becoming overly reliant on it.

Communication

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 5, 2024

Foreign acquirers — mainly from the US — are targeting UK companies again. This time they’re being forced to pay up. Forget the apparent cheap valuations of London stocks when a handful of shares are traded. Buying an entire UK company means burning a hole in your pocket.

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Valuation 52

SEI

APRIL 5, 2024

Can inflation settle near 2% on a sustained basis? We are still doubtful. Read SEI's perspectives on the markets, from our Investment Management Unit.

Banking 52

Banking Marketing Marketing Management 52

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 5, 2024

We are normally reluctant to use trendy phrases to explain either our good and/or bad calls regarding the U.S. economy. However, saying that ‘this time is different’ is more than fitting today to understand what has happened to the U.S. economy since the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economy 52

Economy 52