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Government Spending Is Out of Control! LOL

The Big Picture

Calculation: BEA Table 3.1 Line 20 (Current Expenditures) divided by Table 1.1.5 Line 1 (GDP). Alternatively, Item #2 below divided by GDP. “ If you torture data long enough, it will confess to anything. ” – Ronald Coase Hey, it’s @TBPInvictus. Let’s delve into a case in point of Coase’s theorem: If you wanted to peddle the narrative that government spending is out of control, you might present a chart like the one above, which is an exact replica of a chart t

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Weekend Reading For Financial Planners (March 22–23)

Nerd's Eye View

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" – this week's edition kicks off with the news that a report from Cerulli Associates found that, amidst an industry-wide trend towards comprehensive financial planning and away from pure transaction-based investment management, asset-based fees currently represent 72.4% of advisor compensation, while commission-based revenues have declined to 23% of an average advisor's revenue.

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Realtor.com Reports Active Inventory Up 28.5% YoY

Calculated Risk

What this means: On a weekly basis, Realtor.com reports the year-over-year change in active inventory and new listings. On a monthly basis, they report total inventory. For February, Realtor.com reported inventory was up 27.5% YoY, but still down 22.9% compared to the 2017 to 2019 same month levels. Now - on a weekly basis - inventory is up 28.5% YoY.

Sales 276
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Longform links: a vision of the future

Abnormal Returns

Books An excerpt from "Abundance" by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. (theatlantic.com) An excerpt from Clay Risens new book "Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism, and the Making of Modern America." (slate.com) An excerpt from John Green's new book "Everything is Tuberculosis." (theatlantic.com) An excerpt from "Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change" by Olga Khazan.

Insurance 130
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Are Robots Replacing You? Keeping Humans in the Loop in Automated Environments

Speaker: Erroll Amacker

As businesses increasingly adopt automation, finance leaders must navigate the delicate balance between technology and human expertise. This webinar explores the critical role of human oversight in accounts payable (AP) automation and how a people-centric approach can drive better financial performance. Join us for an insightful discussion on how integrating human expertise into automated workflows enhances decision-making, reduces fraud risks, strengthens vendor relationships, and accelerates R

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Locking the Door Against Cyber Criminals

Wealth Management

One of the most important functions of wealth managers is protecting financial data.

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FOMC Statement: No Change to Fed Funds Rate; "Uncertainty Increased"

Calculated Risk

Fed Chair Powell press conference video here or on YouTube here , starting at 2:30 PM ET. FOMC Statement: Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace. The unemployment rate has stabilized at a low level in recent months, and labor market conditions remain solid. Inflation remains somewhat elevated. The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run.

Economics 262

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#FASuccess Ep 430: Navigating The Fast-Growth Hiring Challenges Of Scaling From Scratch To $5M Of Revenue In Just 7 Years, With AJ Ayers

Nerd's Eye View

Welcome everyone! Welcome to the 430th episode of the Financial Advisor Success Podcast ! My guest on today's podcast is AJ Ayers. AJ is the co-founder of Brooklyn Fi, an RIA based in Brooklyn, New York but operating as a fully remote business, that oversees $370 million in assets under management for more than 400 client households. What's unique about AJ, though, is how she and her business partner have navigated the hiring and training, and system and process challenges, that come from very r

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Monday links: staring at screens

Abnormal Returns

Crypto Strategy ($MSTR) now owns more than 500,000 Bitcoin. (theblock.co) Tornado Cash is used by cybercriminals. The U.S. has removed sanctions on it. (axios.com) How Solana became synonymous with memecoins. (msn.com) Global America's allies are rethinking their purchase of U.S. arms systems. (wapo.st) Members of the administration are using Signal to coordinate military actions.

Media 162
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Who Will Inherit Gene Hackman’s $80M Estate?

Wealth Management

Questions swirl after Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered dead in their home.

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FOMC Projections: GDP Revised Down, Inflation Revised Up

Calculated Risk

Statement here. Fed Chair Powell press conference video here or on YouTube here , starting at 2:30 PM ET. Here are the projections. In December, the FOMC participants midpoint of the target level for the federal funds rate was around 3.875% at the end of 2025 (3.6%-4.1%) and the long run range was 2.8% to 3.6%. The FOMC participants midpoint of the target range is now at 4.0% at the end of 2025 (3.9%-4.4%) and the long run range is 2.6% to 3.6%.

Banking 179
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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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Debunking Investment BS!

The Big Picture

Fun chatting with Meb! Todays guest is Barry Ritholtz, Chairman, and CIO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, which manages over $5.7 billion for 3,900 families. His latest book, How Not to Invest, offers a blueprint to help you make better decisions and achieve financial success. In todays episode, Barry & I discuss the pitfalls of relying on experts for investment advice, the dangers of panic selling, the allure of following investment gurus, and the value of meaningful experiences over materia

Investing 130
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From New-Hire To Confident Advisor: Structuring A First-Year Associate Advisor Onboarding Plan To Develop Technical And Client Skills

Nerd's Eye View

Almost anyone who has onboarded new employees will attest to the inherent balancing act it requires. New advisory firm employees need to learn ‘just a few' things: who their teammates are and how to work productively with them, who the firm serves, what makes the clientele unique, and how to navigate the daily operations and long-term goals of the firm.

Planning 130
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Adviser links: compassionate objectivity

Abnormal Returns

AI Advisers are warming to AI. (thinkadvisor.com) How AI startup FINNY came to be. (riabiz.com) Zocks, which is focused on advisor-client meetings, raised a Series A. (citywire.com) What would an agentic AI solution look like for a financial advisor? (advisorperspectives.com) Ranking the adviser AI note taking apps. (kitces.com) Aging Older Americans have a bad sense of the risk of long-term care costs.

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The WealthStack Podcast: The Independent Advisor Boom and the Tech Shaping Their Future with Vickie Lewin

Wealth Management

Amplify's Vickie Lewin discusses the challenges and solutions for advisors modernizing their technology.

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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?

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NAR: Existing-Home Sales Increased to 4.26 million SAAR in February; Down 1.2% YoY

Calculated Risk

From the NAR: Existing-Home Sales Accelerated 4.2% in February Existing-home sales ascended in February, according to the National Association of REALTORS. For both monthly and year-over-year sales, two major U.S. regions experienced growth, one region remained stable and the other registered a decline. Total existing-home sales completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops progressed 4.2% from January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.26 m

Sales 165
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MiB: Jim O’Shaughnessy on Infinite Wisdom

The Big Picture

This week, I speak with Jim O’Shaughnessy, Founder and CEO of O’Shaughnessy Ventures. Prior to founding O’Shaughnessy Ventures, Jim was the Founder and Chair of OSAM (O’Shaughnessy Asset Management) which was acquired by Franklin Templeton in 2021. He also served as Senior Managing Director and Executive Director of Systematic Equity for Bear Stearns.

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Navigating the AI Revolution: What Financial Advisors Need to Know

XY Planning Network

If Im being honest, when AI first came onto the scene, I felt overwhelmed by it, so I used it very sparingly. Last September, I attended Hubspots annual conference, INBOUND. The overwhelming message throughout the event was that AI is the future (and the now), and we must embrace it. When used correctly, AI makes us better and more productive at what we do.

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Thursday links: cognitive resilience

Abnormal Returns

Markets Markets are largely shrugging off the destruction of norms. (ft.com) S&P 500 companies returned a record amount of capital in 2024. (axios.com) The U.S. stock market is a standout in 2025, and not in a good way. (capitalspectator.com) Which sectors look cheap after this correction? (morningstar.com) Books Barry Ritholtzs "How Not to Invest" is a 'very informative book about investing that is most importantly a lot of fun.

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The Future Of Finance: How To Manage Spend The Right Way

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

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Celebrities and Wealth Series: Q&A with PGA Tour’s Wyndham Clark

Wealth Management

2023 U.S. Open Champion Wyndham Clark opens up about his experiences with money.

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Policy and 2025 Housing Outlook

Calculated Risk

Today, in the CalculatedRisk Real Estate Newsletter: Policy and 2025 Housing Outlook Excerpt: I started the year taking Fed Chair Jerome Powells approach to the impact of policy: Id wait to see what was implemented before changing my outlook. Now we know a little more. Although there is still significant uncertainty, it appears that tariffs will stay (and likely increase in early April).

Sales 179
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Adverse Effects of Index Replication

Alpha Architect

The empirical research we have reviewed shows that the (hidden) costs of index construction and rebalancing policies to investors are about 10 times the expense ratios. Adverse Effects of Index Replication was originally published at Alpha Architect. Please read the Alpha Architect disclosures at your convenience.

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Next-level client care: How connecting holistically with clients builds trust

Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)

By Antoinette Tuscano, MDRT senior content specialist Significant life experiences such as the death of a loved one, marriage, divorce and the birth of a child impact your clients lives and finances. Financial advisors often have a front-row seat to many of these seasons in their clients lives. While cards and flowers are kind and thoughtful gestures for these life changes, some advisors go the extra mile and offer referrals and connections to additional services as a next level of client serv

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Less Stress, More Success: Accounting Best Practices & Processes for 2025

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.

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Wednesday links: new and interesting

Abnormal Returns

Crypto Fidelity Investments is planning to launch its own stablecoin. (ft.com) Gamestop ($GME) has joined the Bitcoin balance sheet trend. (sherwood.news) Private equity Private equity will not rest until they have access to your 401(k) account. (bloomberg.com) McKinsey & Co. with their 2025 report on private equity performance. (mckinsey.com) ETFs Buffer ETFs are no great innovation.

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Lincoln Financial Teams with Bain Capital, Partners Group to Join Evergreen Fund Arms Race

Wealth Management

Lincoln Financial has unveiled two evergreen fund filingsfocused on private credit and royaltiesas it teams with Bain Capital and Partners Group.

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Newsletter: NAR: Existing-Home Sales Increased to 4.26 million SAAR in February

Calculated Risk

Today, in the CalculatedRisk Real Estate Newsletter: NAR: Existing-Home Sales Increased to 4.26 million SAAR in February; Down 1.2% YoY Excerpt: Sales in February (4.26 million SAAR) were up 4.2% from the previous month and were 1.2% below the February 2024 sales rate. This breaks the streak of fourth consecutive year-over-year increases in sales. Sales Year-over-Year and Not Seasonally Adjusted (NSA) The fourth graph shows existing home sales by month for 2024 and 2025.

Sales 179
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The Compound: How Not to Invest

The Big Picture

On this episode of Live from The Compound, Downtown Josh Brown is joined by Barry Ritholtz, Co-founder and Chairman of Ritholtz Wealth Management to discuss his new book release “How Not to Invest” The post The Compound: How Not to Invest appeared first on The Big Picture.

Investing 148
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Next-Level Fraud Prevention: Strategies for Today’s Threat Landscape

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.

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Three Things – Avoiding Mistakes

Discipline Funds

Here are some things I think I am thinking about this week: 1) How NOT To Invest. Barry Ritholtz is out with a new book called “How Not to Invest” I loved this one. We spend a lot of time in the investment world talking about all the optimal ways to invest. But investing is what we all call a loser’s game. That is, you don’t need to win by having the optimal winning strategy.

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Charitable Gift Annuities – Creative Solutions for Different Donor Needs

NAIFA Advisor Today

Charitable gift annuities (CGAs) offer a unique way for donors to achieve their philanthropic goals while securing a reliable income stream. Increasingly, nonprofits, donors, and financial professionals are leveraging CGAs to meet a variety of financial and charitable objectives with a single gift. Simple to establish and available in multiple formats, CGAs can even be funded through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), making them a versatile tool for charitable planning.

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Citi’s Private Equity ‘Club’ Underwhelmed Billionaire Members

Wealth Management

More than a decade after its 2012 launch, Citis experiment has ended with disappointed billionaires, a bitter legal battle and a lesson on the pitfalls of marketing private assets.

Assets 267
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LA Ports: February Inbound Traffic Up YoY, Outbound Down

Calculated Risk

Container traffic gives us an idea about the volume of goods being exported and imported - and usually some hints about the trade report since LA area ports handle about 40% of the nation's container port traffic. The following graphs are for inbound and outbound traffic at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in TEUs (TEUs: 20-foot equivalent units or 20-foot-long cargo container).

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Demo SkyStem’s Award Winning Month-End Close Solution & Earn $100

Is your finance team bogged down by endless data requests and disorganized spreadsheets during the month-end close? It’s time to consider a better option – automate with ART! SkyStem’s solution works alongside your ERP to transform the close and account reconciliation process and speed up month-end work. Explore SkyStem’s ART - the award-winning account reconciliation automation platform - and receive a $100 Amazon gift card as a thank you for your time.