Advisor Perspectives

OCTOBER 11, 2023

The financial planning landscape is undergoing a great transformation, driven by emerging trends that have accelerated in recent years.

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Financial Planning Planning 114

The Big Picture

OCTOBER 20, 2023

“I need the US Dollar to be a store of value between the time I make it until I spend it, invest it, pay my taxes with it, or give it away. It does that splendidly.” 1 Today, we’re going to look at a perennial (un)favorite #chartfail. To be more precise, I want to discuss the type of chart that reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of money, currency, spending, investing, and taxes.

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Investments Investing Math Medicine 340

The Big Picture

OCTOBER 2, 2023

We all love to use quotations in our arguments. It’s both an appeal to higher authority as well as social proof ( Hey! I’m not the only one who believes this stuff ). I find it useful occasionally to go back to first principles and reconsider the sources that have influenced my thinmking. Along those lines, here are in chronological order, the thinkers who have helped shape how I view the world view, including how I philosophically think about the economy, markets, and investing.

Investing 345

Investing Investments Economy Portfolio 345

Abnormal Returns

OCTOBER 22, 2023

Top clicks this week We are living through the worst bond bear market in history. (awealthofcommonsense.com) Just how expensive are the 'Magnificent Seven' stocks? (blog.validea.com) Why TIPS now merit 'serious consideration.' (morningstar.com) There is no single definitive model for the term premium. (wsj.com) Do investors really understand the return profile of options-writing funds?

Marketing 305

Marketing Marketing 305

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It's the time of year to give our close process some TLC. Join us in this one hour webinar where we discuss how to adopt leading practices and infuse technology into the month-end close process to improve our experience and increase our productivity during month-end and quarter-end close. Learning Objectives: This course's objective is to understand how the month-end close can be improved with automation and adoption of leading practices.

Accounting

The Reformed Broker

OCTOBER 24, 2023

Conservatory at Biltmore, by Ann Vasilik via Our State There are four million households in North Carolina. Approximately half of those households (1.922 million) are comprised of a married male and female with children. Another half million are a female head of household with kids. There’s 180,000 or so male-led homes with children and then 1.4 million non-family households.

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Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 23, 2023

Many financial advisors take pride in the comprehensive nature of the advice they provide to clients and use the variety of services offered as a point of differentiation between themselves and other types of advisors. Though, at some point, covering a large number of financial planning topics can eat into an advisor's time, which is problematic if clients won't pay substantially more to receive that more comprehensive advice.

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Financial Planning Planning Clients Financial Planner 246

Carson Wealth

OCTOBER 23, 2023

A late week sell-off saw stocks barely break their early October lows, with the S&P 500 now down 7.9% from the late-July peak. Although the weakness the past few months hasn’t been fun for investors, it is important to note that stocks are still up more than 10% for the year and a fourth-quarter rally is still expected. October volatility continued, but a major late-October low could be forming.

Marketing 143

Marketing Marketing Economy Retail 143

The Big Picture

OCTOBER 19, 2023

One of my favorite responsibilities as chief investment officer at Ritholtz Wealth Management is the quarterly conference call I do for our clients. I run through 30 charts in 30 minutes that explain where we are in the economic cycle, what markets are doing, and what it means to their portfolios. I like to finish with a thought-provoking, often “investing-adjacent” idea they might not have previously considered.

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Media Economy Economics Wealth Management 351

Abnormal Returns

OCTOBER 29, 2023

Top clicks this week A big regime shift has happened in the economy and financial markets. (ritholtz.com) The bond market bear market is pretty epic. (mrzepczynski.blogspot.com) Byron Wien's 20 rules for investing and life. (ritholtz.com) Why aren't stocks down more? (theirrelevantinvestor.com) Remember the guy who forgot the password for a hard drive with 7,002 Bitcoin on it?

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Valuation Economy Financial Market Portfolio 297

The Reformed Broker

OCTOBER 17, 2023

Join Downtown Josh Brown and Michael Batnick for another round of What Are Your Thoughts? On this week’s episode, Josh and Michael discuss the biggest topics in investing and finance, including: ►Earnings – “Average commercial and consumer loans were both down from the second quarter as higher rates and a slowing economy have weakened loan demand, and we’ve continued to take some credit tighteni.

Economy 289

Economy Investing Investments Marketing 289

Speaker: Sierre Lindgren

Fraud is a battle that every organization must face – it’s no longer a question of “if” but “when.” Every organization is a potential target for fraud, and the finance department is often the bullseye. From cleverly disguised emails to fraudulent payment requests, the tactics of cybercriminals are advancing rapidly. Drawing insights from real-world cases and industry expertise, we’ll explore the vulnerabilities in your processes and how to fortify them effectively.

Assets

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 6, 2023

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" - this week's edition kicks off with the news that a recent survey found that clients across several countries who work with a CFP professional have better outcomes on a range of measures compared to those working with other advisors or no advisor at all, suggesting that the potential benefits of gaining CFP certification can accrue not only to the advisor themselves, but also to their clients.

Financial Planner 241

Financial Planner CFP Certification Communication 241

A Wealth of Common Sense

OCTOBER 20, 2023

There’s this guy on Twitter, Paul Fairie, who does these threads using old newspaper clippings to show how the stuff we worry about today is the same stuff people have been worrying about for decades. There was one called a brief history of we are raising a generation of wimps. Every older generation thinks this (and will always think this…it’s called progress).

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Carson Wealth

OCTOBER 5, 2023

By Beth Schanou, JD, CExP, Senior Wealth Planner Who wants to spend an afternoon thinking about their mortality? No one, which is why more than half of Americans don’t even have a will. The foundation of your estate plan is a Last Will and Testament. Without a will, you are leaving the disposition of your assets and the guardianship of your minor children to a court.

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Estate Planning Planning Assets Taxes 142

The Big Picture

OCTOBER 23, 2023

The chart in this morning’s reads shows what it is going to cost to fund the interest payments on the federal debt. It’s gone vertical as rates have moved from effectively 0 to over 5%. When rates were zero all of corporate America refinanced, lowering the cost of their debt to historically low levels. Households did the same; today 61% of homeowners with a mortgage are paying 4% or less in interest.

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Government Economics Taxes Budgeting 334

Speaker: Aaron Berson

Managing spend is more than a cost cutting exercise – it's a pathway to smarter decisions that unlock efficiency and drive growth. By understanding and refining the spending process, financial leaders can empower their organizations to achieve more with less. Explore the art of balancing financial control with operational growth. From uncovering hidden inefficiencies to designing workflows that scale your business, we’ll share strategies to align your organization’s spending with its strategic g

Management

Abnormal Returns

OCTOBER 9, 2023

Podcasts Dan Haylett talks with George Kinder on the true impact of Life Planning on retirement. (humansvsretirement.com) Daniel Crosby talks financial wellness and therapy with Amanda Clayman. (standarddeviationspod.com) Brendan Frazier talks about why advisers should shift from "advice giver" to "thinking partner." (wiredplanning.com) Michael Kitces talks with Brett Danko who is the Founder of Brett Danko Educational Center, and the CEO and Managing Partner for Main Street Financial Solutions.

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The Reformed Broker

OCTOBER 8, 2023

My partner Barry Ritholtz speaks to Michael Lewis, whose latest book is “Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon,” on FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Lewis has been the subject of a massive uproar on social media for the way his book portrays SBF and the way he’s spoken about his subject during the promotion tour, specifically on ’60 Minutes’ last Sunday.

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Media Marketing Marketing 177

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 3, 2023

Welcome back to the 353rd episode of the Financial Advisor Success Podcast ! My guest on today's podcast is Brett Danko. Brett is the Founder of Brett Danko Educational Center, a CFP Board Education and Exam Prep provider, and the CEO and Managing Partner for Main Street Financial Solutions, an independent RIA based in Newtown, Pennsylvania, that oversees almost $2 billion in assets under management for nearly 1,700 client households.

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Certified Financial Planner CFP Education Financial Advisor 239

Wealth Management

OCTOBER 4, 2023

Advisors are overdelivering services such as health care, estate and business planning, while falling short in the areas their clients most desire.

Retirement Planning 141

Retirement Planning Planning Retirement Business Planning 141

Speaker: Duke Heninger, Partner and Fractional CFO at Ampleo & Creator of CFO System

Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Duke Heninger, a seasoned fractional CFO and CPA passionate about transforming back-office operations for finance teams. This session will cover critical best practices and process improvements tailored specifically for accounting professionals.

Accounting

A Wealth of Common Sense

OCTOBER 27, 2023

Here’s something Henry Blodget wrote about notorious stock market bear John Hussman: Every historical indicator Hussman is looking at is suggesting that the stock market is wildly overvalued and headed for a period of lousy returns. How lousy? John Hussman thinks there’s a good chance the stock market will soon crash 40-50 percent. And even if the market doesn’t crash, Hussman thinks stocks are priced to.

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Marketing Marketing 135

The Big Picture

OCTOBER 12, 2023

In August of 2022, I explained how Amazon became ordinary. Today I want to discuss how they have become bad. Since I first discussed the companies that lost my affection during the pandemic nearly two years ago, Amazon continues to stand out as delivering an ever-worsening set of experiences. I wanted to wait until after the (faux retail holiday) Prime Day(s) ended before sharing a few tales of further (to use Cory Doctorow’s phrase) “ Enshittification.” There are many problem

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Advertising Retail Accounting 334

Abnormal Returns

OCTOBER 8, 2023

Markets Good luck getting a good handle on this stock market. (theirrelevantinvestor.com) Under what conditions is the stock market more likely to crash. (morningstar.com) Rates The increase in bond yields is as impressive as the actual rise in rates. (econbrowser.com) Why higher interest rates aren't have a bigger effect on the economy. (tker.co) Why are mortgage rates are as high as they are.

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Financial Advising Economy Government Media 291

The Reformed Broker

OCTOBER 28, 2023

ALERT: Michael, Barry, Ben and about twenty of our most highly skilled advisor / client service superstars are coming to North Carolina from November 6th through 8th to meet with clients and celebrate our new branch office in downtown Charlotte. I’ll be there too, of course. If you’d like to chat with us about your financial plan and portfolio in-person and you’re within driving distance of CLT, hit us u.

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Financial Planning Clients Portfolio Planning 169

Speaker: Abdi Ali, Sr. Lease Accounting Consultant

Join this insightful webinar with industry expert Abdi Ali, who will discuss the challenges that can arise from managing lease accounting with spreadsheets! He will share real-world examples of errors, compliance issues, and risks that may be present within your spreadsheets. Learn how these tools, while useful, can sometimes lead to inefficiencies that affect your time, resources, and peace of mind.

Accounting

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 30, 2023

After several years of turmoil caused by the pandemic, financial advisor conferences seem to have found a "new [post-pandemic] normal", with events once again growing (some already surpassing their pre-pandemic highs). But that's not to say that the conference landscape was not altered by the pandemic; instead, the pandemic appears to have served as a catalyst that accelerated trends that were already underway, such that financial advisor conferences today look substantively different than they

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Financial Advisor Numbers Budgeting Financial Planning 234

Wealth Management

OCTOBER 15, 2023

Wealth Management recently asked readers to nominate the investment book that most helped them in their investing careers.

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Investments Investing Wealth Management Management 140

Calculated Risk

OCTOBER 3, 2023

Wards Auto released their estimate of light vehicle sales for September: September U.S. Light-Vehicles Sales Bounce Back Despite Gloomy Conditions (pay site). Hard to say exactly how much but sales could have been slightly stronger in September if not for some lost inventory caused by production cuts related to plant shutdowns from UAW strikes at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

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The Big Picture

OCTOBER 4, 2023

Source: Visual Capitalist Batnick also takes a swing at this: What’s the Stock Market Worth? The post $109 Trillion Global Stock Market appeared first on The Big Picture.

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Marketing Marketing Investments Investing 334

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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

Abnormal Returns

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Factors Why corporate bond factor research is more challenging. (papers.ssrn.com) Why do stocks with high idiosyncratic volatility underperform? (alphaarchitect.com) Momentum Fund investors are momentum chasers. (klementoninvesting.substack.com) Momentum in the sports betting markets. (papers.ssrn.com) Research Do stocks really become less risky over the long run?

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Investing Investments Management Marketing 284

The Reformed Broker

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Join Downtown Josh Brown and Michael Batnick for another round of What Are Your Thoughts? On this week’s episode, Josh and Michael discuss the biggest topics in investing and finance, including: ►4th Quarter Rally? – Positive economic surprises say we are due for a Q4 meltup. ►Great News – American wealth hitting new highs. ►Effective Interest Rates – “This increased cost of capital is.

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Economics Investing Investments Marketing 161

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Welcome to the October 2023 issue of the Latest News in Financial #AdvisorTech – where we look at the big news, announcements, and underlying trends and developments that are emerging in the world of technology solutions for financial advisors! This month's edition kicks off with the news that custodial platform Altruist is eliminating the $1 per account monthly fee for its portfolio management and reporting technology for advisors on its platform, which on the one hand suggests that the e

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Communication Portfolio Management Clients Tax Planning 228

Wealth Management

OCTOBER 30, 2023

Former rep Sidney Lebental is citing FINRA’s legal sparring match with Alpine Securities to halt disciplinary proceedings against him. Meanwhile, FINRA has responded to Alpine’s allegations.

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Change is difficult, whether in our private or work life. However, without change, growth and learning are difficult not to mention keeping up with the market and staying competitive. We have all worked for or ourselves are the bosses that prefer to keep the status quo. We will discuss how to address the "change challenge" to enable you to be a changemaker and a graceful recipient of change.

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