Calculated Risk
MARCH 27, 2025
From the BEA: Gross Domestic Product, 4th Quarter and Year 2024 (Third Estimate), GDP by Industry, and Corporate Profits Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 (October, November, and December), according to the third estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the third quarter, real GDP increased 3.1 percent.
Nerd's Eye View
MARCH 25, 2025
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 $370 million in assets under management for more than 400 client households. What's unique about AJ, though, is how she and her business partner have navigated the hiring and training, and system and process challenges, that come from very r
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The Big Picture
MARCH 24, 2025
Calculation: BEA Table 3.1 Line 20 (Current Expenditures) divided by Table 1.1.5 Line 1 (GDP). Alternatively, Item #2 below divided by GDP. “ If you torture data long enough, it will confess to anything. ” – Ronald Coase Hey, it’s @TBPInvictus. Let’s delve into a case in point of Coase’s theorem: If you wanted to peddle the narrative that government spending is out of control, you might present a chart like the one above, which is an exact replica of a chart t
Nerd's Eye View
MARCH 21, 2025
Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" – this week's edition kicks off with the news that a report from Cerulli Associates found that, amidst an industry-wide trend towards comprehensive financial planning and away from pure transaction-based investment management, asset-based fees currently represent 72.4% of advisor compensation, while commission-based revenues have declined to 23% of an average advisor's revenue.
Speaker: Erroll Amacker
As businesses increasingly adopt automation, finance leaders must navigate the delicate balance between technology and human expertise. This webinar explores the critical role of human oversight in accounts payable (AP) automation and how a people-centric approach can drive better financial performance. Join us for an insightful discussion on how integrating human expertise into automated workflows enhances decision-making, reduces fraud risks, strengthens vendor relationships, and accelerates R
Abnormal Returns
MARCH 24, 2025
Crypto Strategy ($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.
Wealth Management
MARCH 24, 2025
One of the most important functions of wealth managers is protecting financial data.
Financial Advisor Source brings together the best content for financial advisor professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Calculated Risk
MARCH 27, 2025
Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: Inflation Adjusted House Prices 0.8% Below 2022 Peak Excerpt: It has been over 18 years since the housing bubble peak. In the January Case-Shiller house price index released this week, the seasonally adjusted National Index (SA), was reported as being 78% above the bubble peak in 2006. However, in real terms, the National index (SA) is about 12% above the bubble peak (and historically there has been an upward slope to real house prices).
Abnormal Returns
MARCH 26, 2025
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.
Wealth Management
MARCH 21, 2025
Amplify's Vickie Lewin discusses the challenges and solutions for advisors modernizing their technology.
The Big Picture
MARCH 21, 2025
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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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.
Nerd's Eye View
MARCH 24, 2025
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.
Calculated Risk
MARCH 24, 2025
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).
Abnormal Returns
MARCH 24, 2025
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.
Wealth Management
MARCH 24, 2025
Peoples & Co. Private Wealth Stewardship is led by CEO Duane Peoples, who is joined by his wife, son and daughter, and takes a faith-based approach to wealth management.
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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?
The Big Picture
MARCH 27, 2025
I had a great time talking with my old buddy, Jim O’Shaughnessy, about market history and where investors go awry.Jim and I go way back, and we discuss how people make bad decisions and why… Transcript here Source : Make Fewer Errors, Make More Money (Ep. 261) My conversation with Barry Ritholtz, Jim O’Shaughnessy Infinite Loops, March 27, 2025 XZXXXX The post Infinite Loops: Make Fewer Errors, Make More Money appeared first on The Big Picture.
Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)
MARCH 25, 2025
By Antoinette Tuscano, MDRT senior content specialist Throughout the world, people can bypass a financial advisor and go online to buy life insurance. In some Asian countries, this reality seems particularly alarming since the life insurance market is near the saturation point. The urgent question then becomes, Who will I sell to if people go online and buy it themselves?
Calculated Risk
MARCH 23, 2025
Weekend: Schedule for Week of March 23, 2025 Monday: At 8:30 AM ET, Chicago Fed National Activity Index for February. This is a composite index of other data. From CNBC: Pre-Market Data and Bloomberg futures S&P 500 are up 25 and DOW futures are up 160 (fair value). Oil prices were up over the last week with WTI futures at $68.28 per barrel and Brent at $72.16 per barrel.
Abnormal Returns
MARCH 27, 2025
Books A Q&A with Reid Hoffman, co-author of "Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right With Our AI Future?" (theguardian.com) A Q&A with Alex Hutchinson author of "The Explorers Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map." (davidepstein.substack.com) An excerpt from "Proof: The Uncertain Science of Certainty," by Adam Kucharski.
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
Wealth Management
MARCH 21, 2025
WalletHub's study of cities with the most people in financial distress found that many Texans and Floridians are experiencing tough times.
XY Planning Network
MARCH 24, 2025
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.
A Wealth of Common Sense
MARCH 27, 2025
We also answered questions about the difference between a portfolio and a plan, personal finance advice for someone who lost their job, when to go from DIY to an advisor and how to get out of your illiquid investments. Further Reading: Timing the Housing Market: When Should You Sell? 1The S&P 500 has experienced 16 down years in that same time frame but far more corrections along the way. 2A few years ago that condo.
Calculated Risk
MARCH 26, 2025
Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: Final Look at Local Housing Markets in February and a Look Ahead to March Sales A brief excerpt: After the National Association of Realtors (NAR) releases the monthly existing home sales report , I pick up additional local market data that is reported after the NAR. This is the final look at local markets in February.
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.
Alpha Architect
MARCH 21, 2025
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.
Wealth Management
MARCH 26, 2025
Recent celebrity cases of Wendy Williams and Britney Spears shed light on guardianships and conservatorships.
The Big Picture
MARCH 22, 2025
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.
Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)
MARCH 23, 2025
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
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.
Calculated Risk
MARCH 21, 2025
Today, in the CalculatedRisk Real Estate Newsletter: Lennar: "Didn't see typical seasonal pickup after February" Full text: This is a short note The Lennar headline is from a comment this morning. This is just one anecdote, but I believe the housing market will be impacted by policy. 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.
Investing Caffeine
MARCH 25, 2025
How does one create a $100 billion empire while pioneering an endless supply of transplantable organs that could save millions of lives? The first step is launching a multi-billion-dollar satellite company (SiriusXM – SIRI). The next step? Founding a biotechnology company with nothing more than a high school-level biology education all in a desperate attempt to save the life of your seven-year-old daughter from a rare heart disease that claims lives within three to five years.
Wealth Management
MARCH 21, 2025
The SEC accused Cambridge Investment Research's RIA business of breaching its fiduciary duty in recommending certain mutual funds and money market sweep funds.
Random Roger's Retirement Planning
MARCH 25, 2025
Here's a useful chart from Jake at Econompic on Twitter. He said that in real terms, investors may never get back to even. This sort of thing is exactly what I blogged about so much, albeit elsewhere, that I wanted to avoid. Going forward, who knows what interest rates further out the curve will do. Right here right now, there's no visibility for 7% on the ten year or further out but if it happens, the price drop would be almost 30%.
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