Wed.Jan 08, 2025

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FOMC Minutes: "The process [of reaching inflation target] could take longer than previously anticipated"

Calculated Risk

From the Fed: Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, December 1718, 2024. Excerpt: With regard to the outlook for inflation, participants expected that inflation would continue to move toward 2 percent, although they noted that recent higher-than-expected readings on inflation, and the effects of potential changes in trade and immigration policy, suggested that the process could take longer than previously anticipated.

Economics 273
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How Employer Roth Contributions To Solo 401(k) Plans Reduce The QBI Deduction (And Increase Taxes) For Self-Employed Workers

Nerd's Eye View

Solo 401(k) plans are a popular retirement savings vehicle for self-employed business owners. One of their key features is the ability to make contributions both as an "employee" of the business and as the "employer", i.e., the business itself. By maximizing both the employee employer contributions, solo 401(k) plan owners can often save significantly more than is possible with other types of retirement plans available to self-employed workers, like SEPs and standard IRAs.

Taxes 246
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MBA: Mortgage Applications Decreased in Weekly Survey

Calculated Risk

From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey Mortgage applications decreased 3.7 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 3, 2025. This weeks results include an adjustment for the New Years holiday. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 3.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.

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Personal finance links: free of concern

Abnormal Returns

Podcasts Ryan Morrissey talks with Larry Swedroe author of "Enrich Your Future: Keys to Successful Investing." (youtube.com) Peter Lazaroff on the need for professional help in retirement planning. (peterlazaroff.com) Katie Gatti Tassin talks with Dana Miranda author of "You Don't Need a Budget." (podcast.moneywithkatie.com) The Purpose Code Why you should read "The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy" by Jordan Grumet.

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Live Demo - Supercharge your Month End Close

Automation generally supercharges any process and brings its value to the forefront. See how infusing automation such as ART (our month-end close solution), into your close can get you to the next level of closing. We will share a live demo of SkyStem's solution, ART and share the key elements of month-end close automation. Through ART, we'll take a look at: What month-end close automation entails Which process steps can and should be automated Benefits of achieving process automation, and Why i

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Leading Index for Commercial Real Estate Increased 10% in December

Calculated Risk

From Dodge Data Analytics: Dodge Momentum Index Grows 10% in December The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, grew 10.2% in December to 212.0 (2000=100) from the revised November reading of 192.3. Over the month, commercial planning increased 14.2% while institutional planning improved 2.5%. Commercial activity rebounded strongly in December, thanks to a re-acceleration in data center and warehouse planning activity, stated Sarah Martin, associate director of foreca

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At the Money: Matt Hougan on Crypto Technology

The Big Picture

SPOTIFY EMBED St. Vincent – Digital Witness [link] Digital witnesses, what’s the point of even sleeping? If I can’t show it, if you can’t see me What’s the point of doing anything? This is no time for confessing At The Money: with Matt Hougan on Crypto Technology (January 8, 2025) Are you crypto-curious? Are you interested in owning some bitcoin, Ethereum, or other crypto-coins?

Assets 130

More Trending

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The First 100 Days of the New Congress

Wealth Management

Tax reform is on deck for the new Congress.

Taxes 288
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ADP: Private Employment Increased 122,000 in December

Calculated Risk

From ADP: ADP National Employment Report: Private employers added 122,000 jobs in December The labor market downshifted to a more modest pace of growth in the final month of 2024, with a slowdown in both hiring and pay gains. Health care stood out in the second half of the year, creating more jobs than any other sector. emphasis added This was below the consensus forecast of 143,000.

Marketing 147
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Nareit: REITs Should be Viewed as Real Estate, Not Equities

Wealth Management

An analysis of defined benefit plans over 25 years finds REITs trailed only private equity for average annual net returns.

Planning 268
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Wholesale Used Car Prices Decreased in December; Up 0.4% Year-over-year

Calculated Risk

From Manheim Consulting today: Wholesale Used-Vehicle Prices Decreased in December Wholesale used-vehicle prices (on a mix, mileage, and seasonally adjusted basis) were lower in December compared to November. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) fell to 204.8, an increase of 0.4% from a year ago. The seasonal adjustment to the index reduced the change for the month, as non-seasonally adjusted values declined at a higher rate.

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2025 Industry Index: How Top Advisors Are Scaling Smarter (and Faster) This Year

Where are top advisors focusing in 2025? AcquireUp’s 2025 Industry Index reveals it all. Based on insights from 200+ financial professionals nationwide, discover why 74% say seminars and referrals deliver the best ROI, how automation is helping advisors scale faster, and why only 8% are tapping into niche marketing (a major growth opportunity!). Whether you're refining your client acquisition strategy or scaling your practice, this report gives you the real-world data, benchmarks, and action ste

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Edward Jones Will Pay $17M to Settle State Regulators’ Investigation

Wealth Management

The investigation, which spanned four years and involved 14 state regulators, revolved around how the firm supervised the transferring of brokerage account assets into advisory accounts.

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Why Should I Hire a Financial Advisor? 5 Benefits of Financial Advice

Carson Wealth

Navigating the complexities of personal finance can be challenging. While some individuals manage their finances independently or utilize automated platforms, the personalized guidance of a financial advisor may offer distinct advantages. One study found that an advisor-managed portfolio could produce an additional 3% value add annually over a self-managed (DIY) portfolio. 1 But working with a financial advisor has many additional benefits that can go beyond returns.

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Sanctuary Attracts $700M Truist Team Focused on International Clients

Wealth Management

Hillguard Wealth Management will join Sanctuary Global and work out of the firms Miami office. Sanctuary President Vince Fertitta said there was a demand for an alternative to the way most banks and wirehouses treat international business.

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Fundamentally Sound Growth Companies – Validea’s Top 10 G Score Stocks for January 2025

Validea

The G-Score, developed by Professor Parth Mohanram in 2005, is a fundamental analysis tool designed specifically for growth stocks, serving as a counterpart to Joseph Piotroski’s F-Score which was created for value stocks. The scoring system evaluates eight binary signals based on firm fundamentals, particularly focusing on aspects that are especially relevant for growth companies.

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Data Talks, CFOs Listen: Why Analytics Are Key To Better Spend Management

Speaker: Claire Grosjean, Global Finance & Operations Executive

Finance teams are drowning in data—but is it actually helping them spend smarter? Without the right approach, excess spending, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities continue to drain profitability. While analytics offers powerful insights, financial intelligence requires more than just numbers—it takes the right blend of automation, strategy, and human expertise.

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IRS Clarifies Implementation of Future Regulations Regarding RMDs

Wealth Management

Announcement 2025-2 applies to employer retirement plans.

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Which Regret Is Worse?

Random Roger's Retirement Planning

First up today, Eric Crittenden who is the manager of personal/client holding Standpoint Multi-Asset Fund (BLNDX/REMIX) sat for a podcast with The Monetary Matters Network. There were a couple of very useful nuggets that came out of the show. These points are really just different ways of articulating what we've been talking about since long before BLNDX started trading so there is an element of confirming my own beliefs.

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The Healthy Advisor: Betrayal on the Dock and the Road to Financial Independence With Michelle Begina

Wealth Management

At 17 years old, Michelle Begina found out her parents used her college fund to buy a yacht. The decisions she made after stepping off that dock have shaped the woman she is today.

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Key Tax Figures for 2025

Advisor Perspectives

A look at the 2025 tax rates and contribution limits means individuals may save or gift more this year. Our Bill Cass shares the updated key tax figures and some planning considerations for the year ahead.

Taxes 98
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What Your Financial Statements Are Telling You—And How to Listen!

Speaker: David Worrell, CFO, Author & Speaker

Your financial statements hold powerful insights—but are you truly paying attention? Many finance professionals focus on the income statement while overlooking key signals hidden in the balance sheet and cash flow statement. Understanding these numbers can unlock smarter decision-making, uncover risks, and drive long-term success. Join David Worrell, accomplished CFO, finance expert, and author, for an engaging, nontraditional take on reading financial statements.

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A Life Insurance Agent’s To-Do List for 2025

Wealth Management

Tactical refinements for a more productive year for life insurance agents and financial advisors.

Insurance 262
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Google’s Most Serious Rival Isn’t Microsoft. It’s a Startup

Advisor Perspectives

The AI boom of the past two years has largely been a two-horse race. Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Microsoft Corp.-funded OpenAI have duked it out for customers, while Amazon.com Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. have nibbled at the margins for market share.

Startup 98
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Cetera President Begins Term as FSI Board Chair

Wealth Management

The Financial Services Institute also brought on four new board members, including Commonwealth Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer Robert Molinari and Broadridge Financial Solutions President Chris Perry.

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Bitcoin Is Not a Nothing, But Not a Something Either

Advisor Perspectives

A few weeks ago, a reader emailed to challenge what he described as our “cautionary, skeptical and net negative” stance on Bitcoin.

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How to Avoid Pitfalls In Automation: Keep Humans In the Loop

Speaker: Erroll Amacker

Automation is transforming finance but without strong financial oversight it can introduce more risk than reward. From missed discrepancies to strained vendor relationships, accounts payable automation needs a human touch to deliver lasting value. This session is your playbook to get automation right. We’ll explore how to balance speed with control, boost decision-making through human-machine collaboration, and unlock ROI with fewer errors, stronger fraud prevention, and smoother operations.

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Bank of America Forms Specialist Group Serving the Ultra-Wealthy

Wealth Management

The roughly 25 specialists will help Merrill financial advisors and their clients navigate financial needs including loans, estate planning and investment management.

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PB US Stability + Innovation Contact Us Page

SEI

Schedule a consultation.

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Financial Literacy Isn’t Enough for Lasting Family Legacies

Wealth Management

Leadership education is a cornerstone of UHNW families aiming to achieve successful intergenerational transitions.

Education 246
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Attivo Investments Adopts SEI’s Co-CIO Solution

SEI

SEIs Co-CIO Solution Supports Client-Centric Operating Structure, Provides Personalized Investment Experience and Enhances Efficiency

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Book of Secrets on the Month-End Close

Based off SkyStem's popular e-Book, the book of secrets to the month-end close will be revealed in this one-hour webinar. Learn leading practices when it comes to building a strong and sustainable month-end close that has room to grow and evolve. Learn about the power of precise estimates, why reconciliations are critical to closing the books, how and when to automate, and how the chart of accounts play into your close process.

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EP Wealth Acquires $1.6B Michigan Firm

Wealth Management

The deal with Executive Wealth Management represents EPs largest Midwest acquisition to date, bringing its total AUM to over $31 billion.

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ADP National Employment Report: 122K Private Jobs Added in December

Advisor Perspectives

The ADP employment report revealed that 122,000 nonfarm private jobs were added in December, lower than the expected 139,000 addition. Private sector hiring has now slowed for six of the past eight months and December's reading marks the smallest addition since August.

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Unlock Specialized Client Services with the Private Bank

Wealth Management

(Sponsored Content) Discover how high-net-worth clients can have a full array of options for investing and banking capabilities at Wells Fargo.

Banking 244
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US 30-Year Mortgage Rate Just Shy of 7% Bridles Home Purchases

Advisor Perspectives

US mortgage rates edged up to just shy of 7% at the turn of year and a gauge of home-purchase applications tumbled to the lowest level since February, adding to evidence of a struggling housing market.

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Stop Falling Short When It Matters Most—The Elite Advisor’s Playbook to Success

Like being inches from the end zone, many advisors are frustratingly close to their next level of success. You work hard. You put in the hours. But if your closing rate is stuck or your pipeline feels like a revolving door… something has to change. Most advisors are just one small shift away from dramatically increasing their revenue. The difference?