Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 24, 2025

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" – this week's edition kicks off with the news that while overall financial advisor headcount remains relatively flat, the RIA channel continues to gain share in terms of both headcount (as brokers break away to start their own independent firms and aspiring advisors seek positions that don't rely on an 'eat what you kill' approach) and assets managed (as consumers might be attracted to the differentiated service prop

Financial Planner 206

Financial Planner Asset Allocation Clients Commission 206

Abnormal Returns

JANUARY 28, 2025

Surprises Stuff happens every year that no one foresaw. (ritholtz.com) How markets deal with surprises. (behaviouralinvestment.com) Yesterday shows how dependent the stock market is on the AI theme. (herbgreenberg.com) Strategy Your allocation (or not) to international stocks matters, but not a lot. (ofdollarsanddata.com) Investing success is more about temperament than intelligence.

Media 157

Media Economy Investing Investments 157

Abnormal Returns

JANUARY 23, 2025

Books An excerpt from "Gambling Man: The Secret Story of the World's Greatest Disruptor, Masayoshi Son" by Lionel Barber. (politico.com) An excerpt from "The Siren's Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource" by Chris Hayes. (theatlantic.com) A Q&A with Mnica Guzmn, author of "Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.

Economics 184

Economics Management 184

The Big Picture

JANUARY 24, 2025

This week, we speak with Mike Freno , Chairman and CEO at Barings. The firm is owned by Mass Mutual, and half of its $431 billion in invested assets are from the insurance giant, with the rest coming from institutional investors. Over 20 years with the firm, Freno has held various positions including Managing Director, Head of Global High Yield, and Head of Global Markets.

Insurance 196

Insurance Assets Management Banking 196

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Accounting

A Wealth of Common Sense

JANUARY 21, 2025

One of my favorite ongoing economic stats is the fact that the U.S. economy has been in a recession for just two months out of the past 15-and-a-half years. We’ve been in a recession just 1% of the time since the end of the Great Financial Crisis in the summer of 2009. Sure, there have been some bumps along the way but the U.S. economy has been remarkably resilient throughout the 2010s and 2020s.

Economy 128

Economy Marketing Marketing Economics 128

Calculated Risk

JANUARY 22, 2025

Note: This index is a leading indicator primarily for new Commercial Real Estate (CRE) investment. From the AIA: ABI December 2024: Business conditions end the year on a weak note The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score fell to 44.1 for the month as the share of firms reporting a decline in firm billings increased. Firm billings have now decreased for the majority of firms every month except two since October 2022.

Clients 108

Clients Investing Investments Economics 108

The Big Picture

JANUARY 21, 2025

The transcript from this weeks, MiB: Jonathan Clements on Why Dying is Hard Work , is below. You can stream and download our full conversation, including any podcast extras, on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube , and Bloomberg. All of our earlier podcasts on your favorite pod hosts can be found here. ~~~ This is Masters in business with Barry Ritholtz on Bloomberg Radio Barry Ritholtz : This week on the podcast.

Investing 148

Investing Investments Management Retirement 148

Wealth Management

JANUARY 23, 2025

The combined startups will provide advisors with seamless health planning from analysis to enrollment once integrations are complete.

Startup 124

Startup Planning 124

Calculated Risk

JANUARY 22, 2025

Today, in the CalculatedRisk Real Estate Newsletter: NMHC on Apartments: "Looser market conditions for the tenth consecutive quarter" Excerpt: From the NMHC: Apartment Market Experiences Loosening Conditions, Decreased Deal Flow and Less Available Financing to Start the New Year Apartment market conditions declined in the National Multifamily Housing Councils (NMHCs) most recent Quarterly Survey of Apartment Market Conditions.

Marketing 110

Marketing Marketing Sales 110

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 22, 2025

Financial advisors often engage with a variety of prospects, each with unique needs and motivations. Some prospects approach an advisor with an immediate 'problem to be solved', such as a fast-approaching retirement date. These situations often narrow the focus of the prospecting conversation, giving the advisor a clear opportunity to affirm their value (e.g., "I help clients in retirement by doing X, Y, and Z.").

Financial Advice 130

Financial Advice Financial Planning Retirement Clients 130

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

Abnormal Returns

JANUARY 21, 2025

Alternatives Why CTA volatility is falling over time. (mrzepczynski.blogspot.com) Hedge fund fees have historically taken up nearly 50% of gains. (institutionalinvestor.com) Research How do the three big arguments against passive investing hold up? (ofdollarsanddata.com) The Russell 2000 is not a great index. (scheplick.com) Quality value stocks perform well in the wake of an inflation shock.

Investing 157

Investing Investments 157

The Big Picture

JANUARY 22, 2025

At the Money: Compounding Health and Wealth , with Phil Pearlman (January 22, 2025) We understand how wealth compounds over time, but did you know you can also compound your health? Full transcript below. ~~~ About this weeks guest: Phil Pearlman, is former Chief Behavioral Officer at the Bank of the Ozarks and founder of the Pearl Institute. For more info, see: Personal Bio Professional Site Prime Cuts Newsletter LinkedIn Twitter ~~~ Find all of the previous At the Money episodes here , and i

Wealth Management 130

Wealth Management Management Food Investing 130

Wealth Management

JANUARY 22, 2025

In 2024, 40% of the new ETFs listed in the U.S. used derivatives as a significant component of their investment strategy, up from 20% in 2014.

Investing 123

Investing Investments 123

Calculated Risk

JANUARY 28, 2025

S&P/Case-Shiller released the monthly Home Price Indices for November ("November" is a 3-month average of September, October and November closing prices). This release includes prices for 20 individual cities, two composite indices (for 10 cities and 20 cities) and the monthly National index. From S&P S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index Records 3.8% Annual Gain in November 2024 The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S.

Banking 94

Banking Assets Marketing Marketing 94

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

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 23, 2025

Since the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the mainstream technological landscape, conversations about which areas of the financial planning industry would be most likely impacted by AI have proliferated. These discussions have ranged from questioning whether everyone would be out of a job in five years to wondering if anything of substance would change at all.

Financial Advisor 130

Financial Advisor Clients Communication Financial Planning 130

Abnormal Returns

JANUARY 28, 2025

Lottery-like behavior Does legal sports betting shift manager risk profiles? (papers.ssrn.com) Does high inflation increase gambling like behavior? (papers.ssrn.com) Earnings How highly covered stocks react post-earnings announcement. (klementoninvesting.substack.com) Sell-side analysts do help in assessing earnings reports. (papers.ssrn.com) Why investors shouldn't take growth guidance at face value.

Valuation 144

Valuation Management Marketing Marketing 144

Investment Writing

JANUARY 23, 2025

I’ve long wondered why there is no apostrophe in words like “writers room,” ‘homeowners association,” or “teachers college.” Is the noun descriptive or possessive? I found a good explanation in Emmy J. Favilla’s A World Without “Whom.” Do not use an apostrophe when a word is primarily descriptive rather than possessive… The word is acting more like an adjective than a possessive noun.

Commission 98

Commission Marketing Marketing Investing 98

Wealth Management

JANUARY 23, 2025

Dan Bolton said Wealth.com is building something truly remarkable. Most recently, he was a vice president of corporate marketing for Nitrogen (formerly Riskalyze).

Recruitment 113

Recruitment Marketing Marketing 113

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

Calculated Risk

JANUARY 24, 2025

From the NAR: Existing-Home Sales Ascended 2.2% in December Existing-home sales climbed in December, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales advanced in three major U.S. regions and slipped in the Midwest. Year-over-year, sales accelerated in all four regions. On an annual basis, existing-home sales (4.06 million) declined to the lowest level since 1995 , while the median price reached a record high of $407,500 in 2024.

Sales 102

Sales 102

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 21, 2025

Welcome everyone! Welcome to the 421st episode of the Financial Advisor Success Podcast ! My guest on today's podcast is Daniel Friedman. Daniel is the CEO of WMGNA, a hybrid advisory firm based in Farmington, Connecticut, that oversees approximately $270 million in assets under management for 200 client households. What's unique about Daniel, though, is how his firm has expanded its tax focus to include "in-house" tax return preparation for its clients as a one-stop shop, but actually outsource

Taxes 130

Taxes Tax Planning Financial Advisor Compensation Planning 130

Abnormal Returns

JANUARY 23, 2025

Strategy Bonds vs. bond funds: you're still exposed to interest rate risk. (awealthofcommonsense.com) Why your portfolio may need rebalancing. (morningstar.com) Just because you can launch a meme coin doesn't mean you should. (howardlindzon.com) Finance MicroStrategy ($MSTR) is the convertible bond king. (wsj.com) Ramp is expanding its offerings. (techcrunch.com) Even institutional investors can't get information on their private equity investments.

Media 167

Media Economy Portfolio Investing 167

Advisor Perspectives

JANUARY 22, 2025

Gas prices jumped to their highest level in three months this week. As of January 21st, the price of regular and premium gas were up 7 and 6 cents from the previous week, respectively. The WTIC end-of-day spot price for crude oil closed at $75.83, down 1.9% from last week.

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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

Wealth Management

JANUARY 21, 2025

The survey from Capintel also looked at what factors contribute to a sense of trust between investors and financial advisors.

Financial Advisor 112

Financial Advisor 112

Calculated Risk

JANUARY 24, 2025

Today, in the CalculatedRisk Real Estate Newsletter: NAR: Existing-Home Sales Increased to 4.24 million SAAR in December Excerpt: Sales in December (4.24 million SAAR) were up 2.2% from the previous month and were 9.3% above the December 2023 sales rate. This was the third consecutive month with a year-over-year increase after declining YoY every month for over 3 years.

Sales 93

Sales 93

A Wealth of Common Sense

JANUARY 23, 2025

We also covered questions about offering financial advice to family members, how to lower your auto insurance rates, how many years worth of fixed income you need in your portfolio and how to begin the estate planning process. If you have a question email us: AskTheCompoundShow@gmail.com Further Reading: Owning Individual Bonds vs. Owning a Bond Fund 1I know I’ve written about this subject a few times over the year.

Estate Planning 104

Estate Planning Financial Advice Insurance Portfolio 104

Abnormal Returns

JANUARY 22, 2025

Markets Have we entered a new era for interest rates? (bonddad.blogspot.com) Why yield curve disinversions matter. (econbrowser.com) Strategy The U.S. economy is spending less time in recession. Markets are paying attention. (awealthofcommonsense.com) How U.S. capital markets have devolved over time. (disciplinefunds.com) Investing is hard because the future is uncertain.

Financial Advising 144

Financial Advising Insurance Media Economy 144

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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.

Planning

Advisor Perspectives

JANUARY 22, 2025

As economists and financial market forecasters, we are constantly amazed at how so many people analyze, forecast, research, and discuss important topics without ever addressing the elephant(s) in the room.

Financial Market 98

Financial Market Marketing Marketing 98

Wealth Management

JANUARY 21, 2025

Analysts and investors are ignoring quality small-cap stocks.

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Discipline Funds

JANUARY 21, 2025

Warning – This is probably an “old man screams at cloud” rant, but we all have to embrace our old age at some point so here goes nothing… One of the great strengths of the USA is its capital markets. No economy in the world does a better job of getting capital into the places where it can be most efficiently utilized. This is, arguably, one of the stark differences between the US economy and the rest of the world and why the USA has performed so much better over the last

Marketing 80

Marketing Marketing Insurance Economics 80

Calculated Risk

JANUARY 28, 2025

Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: Case-Shiller: National House Price Index Up 3.8% year-over-year in November Excerpt: S&P/Case-Shiller released the monthly Home Price Indices for November ("November" is a 3-month average of September, October and November closing prices). November closing prices include some contracts signed in July, so there is a significant lag to this data.

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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