Investing Caffeine
FEBRUARY 21, 2023
Upcoming Webinar – February 22nd at 12:00pm PST Volatility has spiked due to changing concerns over inflation, interest rates, recession fears, geopolitics, and other fear-provoking issues, but how can you grow and protect your retirement nest egg? Wade W. Slome, CFA®, CFP®, Founder of Sidoxia Capital Management, LLC, will share 10 crucial mistakes made by investors that can destroy your portfolio.
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey Mortgage applications decreased 13.3 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending February 17, 2023. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 13.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The Big Picture
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
Click to download Financial Disasters Yesterday was kind of a fun day: Sure, it was a dark, damp, dreary February morn when I showed up at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriot, but it was also the first time I did a new presentation in front of a live audience since before the pandemic. I do a quarterly update for RWM clients that covers the economy, the markets, and our portfolios every three months.
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 21, 2023
Demand for long term care is growing and advisors can differentiate themselves and deepen client relationships through modern approaches to long term care planning.
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
Nerd's Eye View
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” – this week’s edition kicks off with the news that the SEC’s proposed “Safeguarding Rule” would significantly increase the number of investment advisers deemed to have custody of client assets and increase paperwork requirements for advisers and qualified custodians, though the contours of a final regulation remain uncertain.
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 23, 2023
The DOL reported : In the week ending February 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 192,000 , a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 194,000 to 195,000. The 4-week moving average was 191,250, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average.
Financial Advisor Source brings together the best content for financial advisor professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 23, 2023
Real estate investors face dual imperatives: to produce returns and to advance the low-carbon transition.
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 23, 2023
Books Insights from "Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time" by Sheila Liming. (slate.com) An excerpt from "The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration" by Jake Bittle. (theatlantic.com) A Q&A with Dacher Keltner author of "Awe: The New Science of Every Day Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life. " (behavioralscientist.org) An excerpt from "On Writing and Failure: Or, on the Peculiar Perseverance Required to Endure the Life of a Writer" by Stephen Marche
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 23, 2023
Realtor.com has monthly and weekly data on the existing home market. Here is their weekly report released today from economist Jiayi Xu: Weekly Housing Trends View — Data Week Ending Feb 18, 2023 • Active inventory growth continued to climb with for-sale homes up 67% above one year ago. Inventories of for-sale homes rose again, on par with the yearly gains we saw last week.
The Big Picture
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
My end-of-week morning train WFH reads: • The Fed alone cannot bring inflation down : Management of demand is not efficient in dealing with supply-driven price rises: fiscal policy must play its part.art ( Financial Times ) • When a savings account is very risky : Compound Banc pays an eye-popping 7% on deposits — or at least things that look and feel a lot like deposits.
Advertisement
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.
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 23, 2023
The new, on-demand learning platform is based on the work of Dr. Daniel Crosby, the wealthtech company’s chief behavioral officer.
Nerd's Eye View
FEBRUARY 20, 2023
One of the most important parts of a financial advisor’s value proposition is time spent meeting with their clients. These meetings allow advisors to listen to their clients’ concerns, make planning recommendations, and chart a course for the coming months. And while advisors recognize the importance of holding regular client meetings, there is no consensus about the ‘best’ cadence for them.
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
From WardsAuto: U.S. Light-Vehicle Sales, Inventory Continue Upward Climb in February (pay content). Brief excerpt: With inventory expected to record big gains by the end of the first quarter, consumers could be on the verge of seeing an easing up in pricing through a combination of greater availability of more affordable vehicles and increased incentives, especially when the industry gets into the spring selling season. emphasis added Click on graph for larger image.
The Big Picture
FEBRUARY 18, 2023
This week, we speak with Tim Buckley , who is chairman and chief executive officer of Vanguard. Buckley has been with Vanguard for 32 years and has been CEO for the past 5. Previously, he was chief investment officer and chief information officer, overseeing the company’s internally managed stock, bond, and money market portfolios as well as its investment research and methodology.
Advertisement
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?
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
Massachusetts recently approved a new 4% tax on state residents with annual income over $1 million. Many states could follow.
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 23, 2023
Markets Higher for longer, has put pressure on bond yields in February. (morningstar.com) It's easy to forget how bad 2022 was for retirement account investors. (cnbc.com) Strategy Not everyone is giving up on the crypto markets. (wsj.com) Why you are unlikely to profit off the next big thematic investment theme. (savantwealth.com) Housing Conor Sen, "Why would anyone want to pay off a $300,000 loan at 3% when they can invest essentially risk-free at 5% or more?
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
The Census Bureau reports New Home Sales in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 670 thousand. The previous three months were revised down, combined. Sales of new single‐family houses in January 2023 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 670,000 , according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Big Picture
FEBRUARY 21, 2023
Transcript: Tim Buckley, Vanguard’s CEO The transcript from this week’s, MiB: Tim Buckley, Vanguard’s CEO , is below. You can stream and download our full conversation, including any podcast extras, on iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google , YouTube , and Bloomberg. All of our earlier podcasts on your favorite pod hosts can be found here. ~~~ ANNOUNCER: This is Masters in Business with Barry Ritholtz on Bloomberg Radio.
Speaker: Aaron Berson
Managing spend is more than a cost cutting exercise – it's a pathway to smarter decisions that unlock efficiency and drive growth. By understanding and refining the spending process, financial leaders can empower their organizations to achieve more with less. Explore the art of balancing financial control with operational growth. From uncovering hidden inefficiencies to designing workflows that scale your business, we’ll share strategies to align your organization’s spending with its strategic g
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
The affluent are seeking out new investment opportunities domestically and abroad.
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 18, 2023
EVs Range anxiety isn't going away, even with more money. (msn.com) Under pressure Tesla ($TSLA) is opening its charging network to non-Tesla owners. (politico.com) EVs are on their way to becoming boring. Which is a good thing. (theatlantic.com) Energy The Yellowstone supervolcano is a untapped energy source. (marginalrevolution.com) How droughts put hydropower projects at-risk.
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
Note: This index is a leading indicator primarily for new Commercial Real Estate (CRE) investment. From the AIA: Architectural billings continue to contract in 2023 Fewer architecture firms report declining billings in January compared to billing activity in December, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for January was 49.3 * compared to 48.4 in December (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm bill
The Big Picture
FEBRUARY 18, 2023
The weekend is here! Pour yourself a mug of Colombia Tolima Los Brasiles Peaberry Organic coffee, grab a seat outside, and get ready for our longer-form weekend reads: • How a shipping error 100 years ago launched the $30 billion chicken industry : The accidental origins of the chicken on your plate, explained. ( Vox ) • A twisted tale of celebrity promotion, opaque transactions and allegations of racist tropes : January 2022 was a time capsule showing the temporary alliance between celebrity ma
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.
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
Federal Reserve officials said the inflation in the US is resulting from a complex set of unprecedented conditions, and that it may take time to decelerate.
Nerd's Eye View
FEBRUARY 23, 2023
The increasing popularity of financial planning has led to a growing awareness of how important managing finances and planning for the future can be. Despite its growing popularity, though, financial planning remains a relatively mysterious concept for many people who don’t understand how financial advisors actually provide value. For most financial advisors today, a website is a critical tool that allows them to market their services and communicate their fees to potential clients.
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
From Black Knight: Black Knight’s First Look at January 2023 Mortgage Data: Expanded and Enhanced Market Data Shows Mortgage Delinquency Improvement Across the Board in January, Uptick in Foreclosure Starts • J anuary performance data showed a slight decrease (-10 basis points) in the national delinquency rate month-over-month , which is now down 15.1% year over year • Foreclosure starts saw a fourth straight increase, but remain 37% below pre-pandemic levels ; active foreclosures are up 20% sin
Pragmatic Capitalism
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
There was a glimmer of hope in the housing data from January.
Advertisement
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.
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
In addition to analyzing the economics of a distressed position, real estate owners must consider the tax implications of the various outcomes surrounding debt. In the worst-case scenario of a foreclosure, not only can an owner lose a property, but also be subject to income tax on phantom income.
Nerd's Eye View
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
As a document required to be filed by all registered investment advisers, Form ADV is (at least in theory) a standardized description of each RIA’s services, fees, and business practices, presented in a series of four forms (Part 1, Part 2A, Part 2B, and Part 3) each comprised of a set of underlying sections. As the thinking goes, requiring each firm to file Form ADV with the SEC and/or state regulators (and making it available to the general public) gives investors a way to compare differ
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
Note: Mortgage rates are from MortgageNewsDaily.com and are for top tier scenarios. On COVID (focus on hospitalizations and deaths). Data is now weekly. The winter surge was much smaller in 2023 than for the previous two years, and hopefully cases, hospitalizations and deaths will continue to decline - and set new pandemic lows in a few months. COVID Metrics Now Week Ago Goal New Cases per Week 2 235,131 259,947 ≤35,000 1 Hospitalized 2 21,731 23,050 ≤3,000 1 Deaths per Week 2 2,407 2,838 ≤350 1
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
Podcasts Christine Benz and Jeff Ptak talk with Cody Garrett of Measure Twice Financial about his journey as a financial planner. (morningstar.com) Dr. Peter Attia talks with Bill Perkins author of "Die With Zero." (peterattiamd.com) Dr. Jim Dahle talks with Ramit Sethi author of "I Will Teach You to Be Rich." (whitecoatinvestor.com) Retirement Misunderstandings about Social Security abound.
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.
Expert insights. Personalized for you.
111 
Let's personalize your content