Calculated Risk

APRIL 16, 2025

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported the housing market index (HMI) was at 40, up from 39 last month. Any number below 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as poor than good. From the NAHB: Builder Confidence Levels Indicate Slow Start for Spring Housing Season Growing economic uncertainty stemming from tariff concerns and elevated building material costs kept builder sentiment in negative territory in April , despite a modest bump in confidence likely due t

Sales 277

Sales Numbers Economics Marketing 277

Nerd's Eye View

APRIL 16, 2025

The White House's tariff policies have dominated headlines in recent weeks, raising concerns among investors, consumers, and businesses. A rapid sequence of policy announcements and reversals has created volatility across nearly every asset class, with the S&P 500 falling to near-bear-market levels before rebounding sharply. In these moments, the conversations that advisors have with their clients play a crucial role in helping clients maintain perspective, avoid emotional decisions, and sta

Clients 227

Clients Financial Planning Financial Advice Planning 227

Calculated Risk

APRIL 16, 2025

From Fed Chair Powell: Economic Outlook Excerpt: Looking forward, the new Administration is in the process of implementing substantial policy changes in four distinct areas: trade, immigration, fiscal policy, and regulation. Those policies are still evolving, and their effects on the economy remain highly uncertain. As we learn more, we will continue to update our assessment.

Economy 222

Economy Economics Marketing Marketing 222

The Big Picture

APRIL 16, 2025

I had a fun and wide-ranging conversation with Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers to unpack all of the wildest tariff news. We discuss the “uniquely unpredictable situation” where markets are trading based on the whims of a single person. This mercurial unpredictability is having a huge effect on prices. I try to help the hosts understand investing in this environment with lessons and ideas from How NOT to Invest.

Economics 179

Economics Economy Investments Investing 179

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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

Accounting

Calculated Risk

APRIL 16, 2025

Note: Mortgage rates are from MortgageNewsDaily.com and are for top tier scenarios. Thursday: At 8:30 AM: The initial weekly unemployment claims report will be released. The consensus is for 224 initial claims up from 223 thousand last week. At 8:30 AM ET: Housing Starts for March. The consensus is for 1.410 million SAAR, down from 1.501 million SAAR in February.

Manufacturing 173

Manufacturing 173

Abnormal Returns

APRIL 16, 2025

Podcasts Christine Benz and Amy Arnott talk with Jean Chatzky about what women need to do different with their money. (morningstar.com) Barry Ritholtz talks with the Slate Money crew about "How NOT to Invest." (ritholtz.com) Adam Grant talks with Dan Gilbert about why we are often wrong about what will make us happy. (podcasts.apple.com) Investing If your portfolio is too risky, take less risk.

Retirement 147

Retirement Financial Planning Accounting Portfolio 147

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

The mobile-focused trading platform now boasts more than 23 million customers and almost $14 billion in assets, according to its prospectus.

Assets 255

Assets 255

Calculated Risk

APRIL 16, 2025

From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey Mortgage applications decreased 8.5 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 11, 2025. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 8.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.

Economics 162

Economics Marketing Marketing 162

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

Lee-ford Tritt, professor and the David H. Levin Chair of Law, University of Florida Levin College of Law.

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252

Calculated Risk

APRIL 16, 2025

On a monthly basis, retail sales increased 1.4% from February to March (seasonally adjusted), and sales were up 4.6 percent from March 2024. From the Census Bureau report : Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for March 2025, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $734.9 billion, up 1.4 percent from the previous month, and up 4.6 percent from March 2024.

Retail 147

Retail Sales Food 147

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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

Clients

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

In 2024, high-net-worth households captured a disproportionate share of the $90 trillion in U.S. wealth, meaning more demand for holistic advisor services and a risk/reward decision in serving younger, less wealthy clients.

Clients 244

Clients 244

Harness Wealth

APRIL 16, 2025

Tax planning serves as the cornerstone of the entire acquisition deal, extending far beyond a simple checkbox. Every element, from structure to price negotiations, hinges on understanding tax implications for all parties involved. Get it right, and you will have set yourself up for a smooth transition and maximized returns. Get it wrong, and you could be leaving millions on the table.

Taxes 52

Taxes Tax Planning Startup Compliance 52

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

Misjudging this rule now has serious consequences.

Taxes 243

Taxes 243

Harness Wealth

APRIL 16, 2025

Roth IRA conversions present a significant challenge for retirement planners: pay taxes now or later? Moving funds from traditional IRAs to Roth accounts triggers immediate taxation but promises tax-free withdrawals in retirement. The stakes became higher after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated recharacterizationthe ability to reverse conversions that did not work as planned.

Taxes 52

Taxes Retirement Retirement Planning Distribution 52

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.

Management

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

Opal Wealth snags former Goldman VP to head growth; Cetera recruits former Osaic advisor; Bleakley details acquisitions with over $1 billion in assets.

Recruitment 232

Recruitment Assets 232

Harness Wealth

APRIL 16, 2025

Let us face ittech startups encounter a unique set of tax challenges that can make or break their financial future. The complex interplay between traditional tax regulations and the innovative nature of tech businesses demands smart planning from day one. Strategic tax planning serves both to keep companies on the right side of IRS regulations and to preserve necessary capital during those precarious early stages when the startup is most vulnerable.

Startup 52

Startup Taxes Tax Planning Transportation 52

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

Explore the latest news and expert commentary on Estate Planning, brought to you by the editors of WealthManagement.

Estate Planning 227

Estate Planning Planning 227

Validea

APRIL 16, 2025

In this episode of Excess Returns, Matt Zeigler sits down with Andrew Cohen, who shares his extraordinary journey from Goldman Sachs trader to working directly with Bernie Madoff, and ultimately becoming a victim of history’s largest Ponzi scheme. Now a respected finance professor, Cohen offers unique insights into Wall Street’s trading culture, the shock of Madoff’s fraud, and how he rebuilt his life in academia after losing almost everything.

Communication 52

Communication Investments Investing Marketing 52

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.

Numbers

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

Mark Glover, professor of law, University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law.

225

225

Validea

APRIL 16, 2025

When evaluating investment opportunities in today’s unpredictable market, one metric stands out for its ability to reveal a company’s true financial health: free cash flow yield. This powerful indicator spotlights businesses that excel at converting their operations into tangible cash resources relative to their market valuation. What makes these cash-generation champions particularly attractive is their financial autonomy.

Valuation 52

Valuation Investing Investments Economics 52

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

People don't think much about tolerating pain in a rising market and make poor decisions when equities crash.

Marketing 223

Marketing Marketing 223

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 16, 2025

If your business isn’t strategically managing its digital presence, it could be losing customers without even realizing it. The brands that master GEO and SEO today will be the ones shaping the marketplace of tomorrow.

Management 99

Management 99

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.

Accounting

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

The five LPL Financial executives will now be managing directors as a sign of the broadening scope and impact of leadership at the broker/dealer.

Management 201

Management 201

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 16, 2025

Builder confidence inched up in April thanks to a recent dip in mortgage rates however economic uncertainty stemming from tariff concerns kept sentiment negative for a 12th straight month. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index (HMI) rose to 40 this month, up 1 point from March. The latest reading was above the 38 forecast.

Marketing 86

Marketing Marketing Economics 86

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

Victoria J. Haneman, Frank J. Kellegher Professor of Trusts & Estates, Creighton University School of Law.

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196

Advisor Perspectives

APRIL 16, 2025

If the goal is to use technological platforms to customize and maximize the experience for your clients, it seems many of us still have a way to go.

Clients 59

Clients 59

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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.

Accounting

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

Using settlor-trained artificial intelligence to carry out the settlors wishes in perpetuity.

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196

Cornerstone Financial Advisory

APRIL 16, 2025

All Bible verses in this article are English Standard Version (ESV). As Christians, giving is not just an act of charity but a reflection of our faith and commitment to God. Smart giving is rooted in biblical principles and is an essential part of being a faithful steward of the resources God has entrusted to us. By giving thoughtfully, we can make a lasting impact on others while also supporting the growth of God’s Kingdom.

Budgeting 52

Budgeting Education Clients Management 52

Wealth Management

APRIL 16, 2025

Emigrant Partners-backed Pure Financial has made its second acquisition of 2025 by bringing on a $900 million firm in the Chicago area.

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166

SEI

APRIL 16, 2025

Technology, outsourced operation and asset management provider, SEI, on how AI could power the future of wealth management. Listen to the conversation.

Wealth Management 52

Wealth Management Management Assets 52

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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?

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