Sat.Jan 27, 2024 - Fri.Feb 02, 2024

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Advisors Are Becoming Better (Not “Faster”) With Advances In #AdvisorTech

Nerd's Eye View

For financial advisors, the promise of technology has always been to help advisors better leverage their time to grow their business. One possible way to do this is to use the time savings of technology to serve a higher number of clients. However, another approach advisors can take is to use their technology to do more – and better – work for the same number of clients while earning higher fees for the higher-value services they provide.

Clients 246
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Housing January 29th Weekly Update: Inventory Down 0.6% Week-over-week, Up 7.9% Year-over-year

Calculated Risk

Altos reports that active single-family inventory was down 0.6% week-over-week. Inventory will likely decrease a little seasonally until the Spring (it could remain mostly flat for a few months like in 2019). Click on graph for larger image. This inventory graph is courtesy of Altos Research. As of January 26th, inventory was at 503 thousand (7-day average), compared to 506 thousand the prior week.

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The IRS Is Recruiting an Army to Take on Wealthy Taxpayers

Wealth Management

It's focusing on recruiting those with specialized tax expertise.

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At the Money: Forecasting Recessions

The Big Picture

At the Money: Forecasting Recessions with Claudia Sahm (January 31, 2024 ) Investors don’t like recessions. But how can they tell if one’s coming? There’s an indicator for that. It’s called the “Sahm Rule,” named for economist Claudia Sahm. In this episode, we discuss how to use labor data to forecast recessions.

Economy 298
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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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Monday links: looking for bad ideas

Abnormal Returns

Private equity Dividend recaps are back on the table for private equity. (axios.com) When a company raises debt, and interest rates rise, trouble ensues. (adweek.com) The legal case for opening up private equity to the masses. (papers.ssrn.com) The private equity industry doesn't love academic research about its performance. (institutionalinvestor.com) Gambling Americans are going to the casino.

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January Employment Report: 353 thousand Jobs, 3.7% Unemployment Rate

Calculated Risk

From the BLS : Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 353,000 in January, and the unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent , the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, retail trade, and social assistance. Employment declined in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry.

Retail 322

More Trending

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State Coincident Indexes Improve

The Big Picture

A quick follow-up to last month’s note on slipping coincident indicators: December was relatively stable compared to the slide in November. Over the three prior months, “the indexes increased in 25 states, decreased in 22 states, and remained stable in three, for a three-month diffusion index of 6.” That is only one state worse on the decrease, and drop on the index from 8 to 6.

Banking 286
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Thursday links: stand alone statements

Abnormal Returns

January 2024 How major asset classes performed in January 2024. (capitalspectator.com) The S&P 500 was in positive territory for the month, in contrast with small and mid caps. (on.spdji.com) Strategy Overconfidence is a killer for investors. (collabfund.com) Four steps to build a no-fuss portfolio including eliminating redundant accounts. (morningstar.com) Bitcoin Will spot Bitcoin ETFs follow the path of gold ETFs?

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MBA: Mortgage Applications Decreased in Weekly Survey

Calculated Risk

From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey Mortgage applications decreased 7.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 26, 2024. Last week’s results included an adjustment to account for the MLK holiday.

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Savvy Wealth Introduces Investment Management Capabilities

Wealth Management

Savvy Wealth Investment Management is the latest update to the RIA’s responsive, tech-driven platform.

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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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RWM is Coming to Naples, Florida!

The Big Picture

Exciting news! In a few weeks, we are heading down to Naples, Florida, where we just launched a new office! Everybody knows what a fun city Miami is, but I am a big fan of the underappreciated gem that is the Gulf Coast of Florida. When the opportunity to partner with Adam Day, CFP in Naples came along, we jumped on it. Michael Batnick and are coming down with some of our colleagues on March 4th-6th.

CFP 52
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Top clicks this week on Abnormal Returns

Abnormal Returns

Also on the site An example where investing out of spite doesn't work out. (abnormalreturns.com) Top clicks this week Putting the past bear market into historical perspective. (awealthofcommonsense.com) Wealthy Americans are increasingly leaving their windows uncovered. (msn.com) What you need to know about all-time highs. (carsongroup.com) Lessons learned from the two-year bear market.

Portfolio 288
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BLS: Job Openings Little Changed at 9.0 million in December

Calculated Risk

From the BLS: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary The number of job openings changed little at 9.0 million on the last business day of December , the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, the number of hires and total separations were little changed at 5.6 million and 5.4 million, respectively. Within separations, quits (3.4 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.6 million) changed little. emphasis added The following graph shows job openings (black line), hires (da

Numbers 311
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Mariner Wealth Comes Under Fire In Courts

Wealth Management

Over a matter of weeks, Mariner was hit with multiple lawsuits from rival advisory firms, including Edelman Financial Engines, Avantax and RWA Wealth Partners, claiming the firm's hyper-aggressive growth tactics step over the line. It may just be the new cost of doing business in a rapidly maturing RIA industry, some legal observers say.

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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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Choosing A Financial Advisor? – Ask These 6 Questions

The Chicago Financial Planner

With the start of a new year, many people resolve to get their finances in order. A part of this process might include hiring a financial advisor or hiring a new financial advisor if you have decided to move on from your current advisor. Hiring the right advisor for your needs is critical. Here are six questions to ask when choosing a financial advisor: How do you get paid?

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Saturday links: our information diets

Abnormal Returns

EVs EVs may have hit a bit of a bump in the road, but they are still the future. (wsj.com) Why Americans are opting for hybrids. (bonddad.blogspot.com) Looking at new EV? Think about leasing it. (wsj.com) Auto insurance Why car insurance premiums are soaring. (bloomberg.com) Auto insurance companies having no problem pushing through higher rates. (wsj.com) Nuclear Why uranium prices are surging.

Insurance 278
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Case-Shiller: National House Price Index Up 5.1% year-over-year in November

Calculated Risk

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 Upward Trend Decelerates in November The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S.

Assets 305
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Duran's Rise Growth Partners Raises $250M

Wealth Management

Private equity firm Charlesbank, which also owns a stake in Lido Advisors, will be a majority owner of the firm; the capital will be used to invest in Rise Growth's targeted RIAs.

Investing 291
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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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Weekend Reading For Financial Planners (February 3-4)

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 Morningstar survey has found that financial advisory clients are more likely to stick with their advisor for emotional reasons rather than investment returns alone. Which suggests that building trusting relationships with their clients and giving them added confidence in their financial decision-making (rather than focusing on ways to juice investment returns) could be t

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Sunday links: taking a market sabbatical

Abnormal Returns

Strategy Stop obsessing about the Fed's next move. (tker.co) Why the vast majority of investors should avoid alternatives. (humbledollar.com) What happens when you stop focusing on the stock market. (wsj.com) Bitcoin Will Charles Schwab ($SCHW) eventually launch its own spot Bitcoin ETF? (riabiz.com) The ETF industry keeps pushing the boundaries, now Bitcoin.

Marketing 277
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Feb 2nd COVID Update: Weekly Deaths Increased

Calculated Risk

Note: Mortgage rates are from MortgageNewsDaily.com and are for top tier scenarios. Due to changes at the CDC, weekly cases are no longer updated. For deaths, I'm currently using 4 weeks ago for "now", since the most recent three weeks will be revised significantly. Hospitalizations have more than quadrupled from a low of 5,150 in June 2023. Hospitalizations are now declining.

Numbers 298
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Which Alternative Investments RIAs Favor Right Now

Wealth Management

We spoke to advisors at multiple RIA firms to find which alternative investment sectors they are gravitating toward

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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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Using A Testamentary Charitable Remainder Unitrust (T-CRUT) To Give Twice To Both Loved Ones And Charitable Organizations

Nerd's Eye View

In late 2019, Congress passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, introducing several significant changes to retirement planning. Of the many provisions in the bill, the so-called "Death of the Stretch" arguably received the lion's share of consternation from the financial advisor community. Under the new law, non-spouse beneficiaries (with few exceptions) must now withdraw the entirety of an inherited IRA within 10 years of the account owner's passing rather

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Personal finance links: a recipe for unhappiness

Abnormal Returns

Podcasts Meb Faber talks with Jared Dillian author of "No Worries: How to Live a Stress-Free Financial Life." (mebfaber.com) Dan Haylett talks with Sonya Lutter about addressing 'your money scripts' in retirement. (humansvsretirement.com) Rick Ferri talks real estate investing with Dr. Jim Dahle and John Worth. (bogleheads.podbean.com) Homes Why people prefer owning over renting.

Insurance 264
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Comments on November Case-Shiller and FHFA House Prices

Calculated Risk

Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: Case-Shiller: National House Price Index Up 5.1% 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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The 2024 IPO Market: Trends and Predictions

Wealth Management

What can a securities attorney's inbox tell us about the year ahead?

Marketing 289
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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.

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#FA Success Ep 370: Leveraging Google Reviews To Generate Inbound Local Prospects, With Tim Goodwin

Nerd's Eye View

Welcome back to the 370th episode of the Financial Advisor Success podcast ! My guest on today's podcast is Tim Goodwin. Tim is the founder of Goodwin Investment Advisory, an RIA based in Woodstock, Georgia, that oversees $275M in assets under management for 370 client households. What's unique about Tim, though, is how he leaned into Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – Google Reviews in particular – coupled with paid search ads to capture consumers actually searching for "financial a

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Wednesday links: nothing to do with money

Abnormal Returns

Inflation Why investors are pulling money from TIPS ETFs. (ft.com) Is there an ideal level of inflation? (klementoninvesting.substack.com) Crypto Bankrupt FTX says it will pay out customers in whole. (coindesk.com) Are spot Bitcoin ETFs going to start showing up in 401(k) plans? (investmentnews.com) Companies Boeing's ($BA) decline has been decades in the making.

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Q4 2023 GDP Details on Residential and Commercial Real Estate

Calculated Risk

The BEA released the underlying details for the Q4 advance GDP report on Friday. The BEA reported that investment in non-residential structures increased at a 3.2% annual pace in Q4. Investment in petroleum and natural gas structures increased in Q4 compared to Q3 and was up 5% year-over-year. Click on graph for larger image. The first graph shows investment in offices, malls and lodging as a percent of GDP.

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Former Thrivent Wealth Exec Joins RIA 49 Financial

Wealth Management

Luke Winskowski, former head of Thrivent’s advice and wealth management division, has joined 49 Financial as president. The Austin-based RIA with just under $1 billion in client assets was the first outside firm to join Thrivent Advisor Network.

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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.