The Big Picture

MARCH 28, 2024

“Our comforting conviction that the world makes sense rests on a secure foundation: Our almost unlimited ability to ignore our ignorance.” – Daniel Kahneman The loss of Danny Kahneman is a reminder that we should review some of his work and apply them to the current market. I am fascinated by the idea of Narrative Fallacy (the term was actually coined by Nassim Taleb in “ The Black Swan “) and how it applies to pretty much ewverything.

Manufacturing 340

Manufacturing Economy Economics Marketing 340

Abnormal Returns

MARCH 13, 2024

Crypto Travis Kling, "The evidence for the rise of Financial Nihilism is all around us." (epsilontheory.com) How much is Bitcoin worth? Nobody really knows. (wired.com) The spot Bitcoin ETF fee war is here. (etf.com) Finance Why Evercore ($EVR) is outperforming other investment banks. (on.ft.com) There is still a lot of uncertainty around office building valuations.

Financial Advising 317

Financial Advising Valuation Retail Media 317

Nerd's Eye View

MARCH 25, 2024

For the advisor leading a virtual team, the day-to-day can offer a rewarding blend of flexibility, creativity, and productivity; at the same time, though, many of the benefits of remote work can also make it challenging to build a tight-knit team culture. For example, with flexibility comes fewer synchronous interactions, which in turn can result in less innovation, team bonding, and collaboration.

Planning 246

Planning Taxes Management Clients 246

A Wealth of Common Sense

MARCH 31, 2024

I’m really late on this one, but I finally got around to reading Andre Agassi’s autobiography.1 He writes about what it was like to finally win his first Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon. Everyone’s perception of Agassi changed from choke artist to the real deal. Winning, however, didn’t change how he felt about himself: But I don’t feel that Wimbledon has changed me.

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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

Advisor Perspectives

MARCH 4, 2024

I have written this month’s Absolute Return Letter with a heavy heart. I don’t take any pleasure from other people’s misery.

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The Big Picture

MARCH 18, 2024

There has been a lot of chatter about magazine covers lately; I thought I might clarify some of the with this post, originally published in Bloomberg on December 27, 2017, along with commentary from Ben and Josh addressing the sdame issue. The key takeaway: The value of the signal here is just about zero. The 2017 Barron’s cover (above) showing Apple’s extravagant new headquarters and suggesting that the company’s market value would reach $1 trillion in 2018 generated some chat

Marketing 336

Marketing Marketing Media Investing 336

Abnormal Returns

MARCH 31, 2024

Also on the site Everything has an opportunity cost, everything. (abnormalreturns.com) Top clicks this week The Roaring 20's are here. Enjoy it while you can. (awealthofcommonsense.com) There's no alpha left in private equity. (linkedin.com) Patrick Mahomes finally takes an L. (sportico.com) Are index funds propping up the stock market? (awealthofcommonsense.com) Which bonds prove as the best portfolio diversifier?

Financial Market 313

Financial Market Portfolio Marketing Marketing 313

Nerd's Eye View

MARCH 22, 2024

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" - this week's edition kicks off with the news that the SEC has recently been cracking down on firms for recordkeeping failures related to electronic communications, including their use of text messaging with prospects and clients. Which could serve as a warning to firms to heighten their supervision of their advisors' texting practices and whether they are being recorded properly (perhaps with the help of available archivi

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Communication Electronics 246

A Wealth of Common Sense

MARCH 15, 2024

There are two types of inflation rates that matter. Economists and market observers care about the government reported data — CPI, core PCE, ex-shelter, whatever your preferred method is. Everyday Americans only care about two price points — gas and grocery store prices. Why is this the case? These are the prices you experience on a regular basis.

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Government Numbers Marketing Marketing 145

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

Fortune Financial

MARCH 7, 2024

Signed into law in 1956 by then President Dwight Eisenhower, the Federal Highway Act created the Interstate Highway System , which would become the largest and costliest public works project in history. Measuring almost 48,000 miles in total distance, the Interstate Highway System was completed only in 1992, more than three decades after work began, and for a total cost in today’s dollars of more than $500 billion. ( source: Wikipedia Commons ) Inspired in large part by the German Autoba

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Retail Distribution Financial Advisor Manufacturing 141

Carson Wealth

MARCH 7, 2024

By Jake Anderson, CFP ® , Wealth Planner When helping clients begin retirement planning, the same questions often arise: What should my retirement plan look like? How much should I be saving? Although there are some basic guidelines, your financial life is as unique as your fingerprint. Your lifestyle, goals, family situation, and risk tolerance will give a unique signature to your retirement plan.

Retirement Planning 143

Retirement Planning Retirement Planning Risk Tolerance 143

The Big Picture

MARCH 15, 2024

We sometimes say “Demographics is Destiny,” but that’s abstract. To get a visual sense of what that looks like, see the above chart (via Blackrock ) showing the distribution of various age groups from 2075 to 2050. Note bars in Red are not in the workforce. The post U.S. population distribution, 1975-2050 appeared first on The Big Picture.

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Distribution 328

Abnormal Returns

MARCH 24, 2024

Also on the site What is wrong with this picture? How your charitable intentions can get co-opted after you are gone. (abnormalreturns.com) Top clicks this week Ten things to know about building a diversified portfolio. (morningstar.com) How home buying is going to change with the upheaval of realtor commissions. (thebasispoint.com) Byrne Hobart, "Decades of above-average net worth compounding are the reward for taking a big idea seriously, continuously refining it, and implementing it in the re

Commission 307

Commission Numbers Portfolio Marketing 307

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Join us in this webinar, where we share best practices on how to think about the reconciliation work each month, when best to do reconciliations, how they should be prepared, and some common pitfalls to avoid. Learning Objectives: This course objective is to understand how to properly prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations and its impact on the financial statements.

Accounting

Nerd's Eye View

MARCH 20, 2024

Monte Carlo simulations have become a central method of conducting financial planning analyses for clients and are a feature of most comprehensive financial planning software programs. By distilling hundreds of pieces of information into a single number that purports to show the percentage chance that a portfolio will not be depleted over the course of a client's life, advisors often place special emphasis on this data point when they present a financial plan.

Communication 246

Communication Clients Risk Tolerance Financial Planning 246

A Wealth of Common Sense

MARCH 24, 2024

Last week I wrote about how the collective net worth of Americans is at a new all-time high. A reader asked a fair follow-up question: I’d be interested in seeing the concentration of that net worth though…I’m guessing it’s an inverted direction. Just because many households are richer than ever doesn’t mean all of them are.

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Calculated Risk

MARCH 7, 2024

From Manheim Consulting today: Wholesale Used-Vehicle Prices Declined in February Wholesale used-vehicle prices (on a mix, mileage, and seasonally adjusted basis) were down in February compared to January. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) fell to 203.8, a decline of 13.1% from a year ago. The index was down 0.1% against the month of January 2024.

Consulting 137

Consulting Retail Taxes Economics 137

Carson Wealth

MARCH 28, 2024

Retirement planning is a journey that generally takes decades to complete and most of us start out along the do-it-yourself path. More than likely, your first step was to enroll in an employer-provided plan such as a 401(k) or setting up an individual retirement account, also known as an IRA. But at some point, most of us need to graduate from the DIY approach and seek advice from a retirement planning professional.

Retirement Planning 142

Retirement Planning Retirement Planning Taxes 142

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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

The Big Picture

MARCH 9, 2024

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a mug of coffee, grab a seat by the fire, and get ready for our longer-form weekend reads: • The economy is roaring. Immigration is a key reason. Momentum in the job market picked up aggressively over the past year — all while Washington is deadlocked on a border deal ( Washington Post ) • The Errors Tour: How the Pros Bungled the End of Zero Interest Rates : A look at the ways forecasters, traders and executives missed the mark over the past two years.

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Medical Banking Food Management 305

Abnormal Returns

MARCH 13, 2024

Podcasts Christine Benz and Amy Arnott talk with Anne Lester author of "Your Best Financial Life: Save Smart Now for the Future You Want." (morningstar.com) Dan Haylett talking Paul Armson about lifestyle financial planning. (humansvsretirement.com) Shane Parrish talks with Chris Davis about the challenges of inter-generational wealth. (fs.blog) Khe Hy talks with Noah Kagan about building a side hustle without losing your mind.

Financial Advice 306

Financial Advice Retirement Financial Advisor Financial Planning 306

Nerd's Eye View

MARCH 18, 2024

Soliciting prospect referrals can often be an effective way for financial advisors to grow their firms with clients who are ready to act and who will benefit from the firm since many referrals come from sources that are familiar not just with the advisor and the services they offer, but also with the prospect being referred and the needs they seek. This is particularly true when referrals come from Centers of Influence (COIs) – professionals who are trusted by their circles to influence id

Assets 246

Assets Media Professional Services Financial Advisor 246

A Wealth of Common Sense

MARCH 26, 2024

In March 2020, at the height of uncertainty at the outset of the pandemic, I wrote about what it took to get to the roaring 1920s. This chart sums it up nicely: Here’s what I wrote at the time: How many people at the time would have predicted during the war/pandemic/recession/depression years that the 1920s would be one of the most innovative, prosperous periods our country had ever seen?

Marketing 145

Marketing Marketing 145

Speaker: Joe Buhrmann, MBA, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® Senior Financial Planning Practice Management Consultant eMoney Advisor

During an era of evolving consumer preferences, the banking sector is undergoing a profound shift. As customers continue to broaden their perspectives, banking professionals must support their customers' financial wellness by providing holistic financial advice that aligns with individual goals and circumstances. Without adapting, financial institutions will find that loyalty may crumble amid uncertainty.

Financial Advice

Calculated Risk

MARCH 26, 2024

S&P/Case-Shiller released the monthly Home Price Indices for January ("January" is a 3-month average of November, December and January 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 Continues to Trend Upward in January 2024 The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S.

Assets 134

Assets 134

Alpha Architect

MARCH 15, 2024

In their two papers, Goulding, Harvey, and Mazzoleni showed that observed market corrections and rebounds carry predictive information about subsequent returns and showed how that information could be utilized to enhance the performance of trend-following strategies by dynamically blending slow and fast momentum strategies based on four-state cycle-conditional information.

Marketing 134

Marketing Marketing Investing Investments 134

The Big Picture

MARCH 13, 2024

At the Money: How To Know When The Fed Will Cut with Jim Bianco (March 13, 2024) Markets have been waiting for the Federal Reserve to begin cutting rates for over a year. What data should investors be following for insight into when they will begin? Jim Bianco discusses initial unemployment claims data and wage gain to identify when the Fed will start lowering rates.

Numbers 288

Numbers Insurance Economy Marketing 288

Abnormal Returns

MARCH 3, 2024

Also on the site Five thoughts on the power of letting go. (abnormalreturns.com) Top clicks this week What happens when you invest right before a bear market? (awealthofcommonsense.com) Solana is at new all-time highs. (allstarcharts.com) Consumer Reports' top ten list for 2024 is filled with hybrids. (cnbc.com) The Magnificent Seven is all anybody can talk about in the U.S.

Investing 300

Investing Investments Marketing Marketing 300

Speaker: Carolina Aponte - Owner and CEO, Caja Holdings LLC

In today's rapidly changing business environment, building a resilient balance sheet is crucial to the survival of any business. A resilient balance sheet allows a company to withstand financial shocks and adapt to changing market conditions. To achieve this, companies need to focus on key strategies such as maintaining adequate liquidity, managing debt levels, diversifying revenue streams, and prioritizing profitability over growth.

Financial Planning

Nerd's Eye View

MARCH 11, 2024

Referrals can play a vital role in the growth of financial advisory firms since finding prospective clients via referral requires virtually no hard-dollar costs, and it takes only a fraction of the time needed for other marketing channels like social media, blogging, and seminars. However, finding reliable sources of referrals can sometimes be challenging for advisors: Centers of Influence (COIs) like accountants and attorneys may not be as attuned to the advisor's services as the advisor's clie

Clients 246

Clients Media Accounting Management 246

A Wealth of Common Sense

MARCH 10, 2024

I entered the workforce in 2005. That means I’ve been working in the investment business for 20 years now. The longer I’m in the money management business the more there is to learn but these are some of the things I’ve learned thus far: 1. Experiences shape your perception of risk. Your ability and need to take risk should be based on your stage in life, time horizon, financial circumstances and goals.

Management 145

Management Investing Investments Wealth Management 145

Calculated Risk

MARCH 6, 2024

From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey Mortgage applications increased 9.7 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 1, 2024. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 9.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.

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Sales Marketing Marketing 133