Darrow Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 9, 2025
The idea of living off dividends in retirement sounds nice, but investors often don’t realize how much money they’ll need invested to generate enough income from dividends to cover lifestyle expenses. Over the last 30 years, the S&P 500’s average dividend yield was 1.98%. So historically, every $1 million invested would yield annual dividend income of $19,800 on average… before tax.
Nerd's Eye View
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
When the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025, it came as a relief to many recipients of state or local government pensions whose Social Security benefits had been, up until now, reduced by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) for individuals claiming retirement benefits under their own name, or the Government Pension Offset (GPO) for those claiming spousal or survivor benefits under a current or former spouse's name.
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The Big Picture
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
You might have been bored by the not-so-Superbowl last night (at least the better team won this year). Several non-football fans went to see the Becoming Led Zeppelin documentary (they raved). But neither the game nor Zep’s origin story was the biggest story last night. Rather, the most intriguing aspect of last night was the gambling. Sports betting on Super Bowl LIX (2025) was estimated at more than $1.5 billion — a 15% increase compared to 2024.
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: Part 1: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-February 2025 A brief excerpt: This 2-part overview for mid-February provides a snapshot of the current housing market. I always focus first on inventory, since inventory usually tells the tale ! Im watching months-of-supply closely. New home inventory, as a percentage of total inventory, is still very high.
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Based off SkyStem's popular e-Book, the book of secrets to the month-end close will be revealed in this one-hour webinar. Learn leading practices when it comes to building a strong and sustainable month-end close that has room to grow and evolve. Learn about the power of precise estimates, why reconciliations are critical to closing the books, how and when to automate, and how the chart of accounts play into your close process.
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 8, 2025
Autos Honda ($HMC) is planning to launch two new EVs. (thecooldown.com) A first-hand experience with Super Cruise on I-95. (wapo.st) ATC Air traffic control failures may now be a bigger risk than mechanical malfunctions. (theatlantic.com) Why it's so hard to hire and retain air traffic controllers. (barrons.com) Energy Amazon ($AMZN) keeps buying renewable energy.
Nerd's Eye View
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
To earn the CFP marks, candidates must fulfill four key requirements: Education (holding a bachelor's degree and completing the required coursework through a CFP Board registered program), Exam (passing the 170-question CFP exam), Experience (gaining hands-on experience providing financial advice to the public), and Ethics (acting as a fiduciary). Among these, the Education component offers the greatest flexibility in how it can be completed.
Financial Advisor Source brings together the best content for financial advisor professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
From the NY Fed: Household Debt Balances Continue Steady Increase; Delinquency Transition Rates Remain Elevated for Auto and Credit Cards The Federal Reserve Bank of New Yorks Center for Microeconomic Data today issued its Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit. The report shows total household debt increased by $93 billion (0.5%) in Q4 2024, to $18.04 trillion.
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 14, 2025
Finance Why 24-hour trading isn't a boon for investors. (morningstar.com) Successfully running an ETF is harder than it looks. (jeffreyptak.substack.com) TIPS TIPS yields haven't been this high in a decade. (wsj.com) A speculative, but cautionary take against investing in TIPS. (paulkrugman.substack.com) Crypto The SEC could soon allow for in-kind redemptions for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
Nerd's Eye View
FEBRUARY 14, 2025
Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" – this week's edition kicks off with the news of a recent survey indicating that while overall client satisfaction with their financial advisors remains high at 95%, potential threats to client retention lurk beneath the surface, particularly amongst clients who experience a major windfall or a life transition.
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
The consulting firm says the wealth management industry can address the shortage by boosting productivity levels and attracting new talent.
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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?
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey Mortgage applications increased 2.3 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending February 7, 2025. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 2.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
Markets Too many people confusing speculating for investing. (ritholtz.com) The end of ZIRP did not kill off speculation. (ft.com) Big tech Callie Cox, "History is littered with the tombstones of once-dominant companies who couldnt pivot to the next big thing." (optimisticallie.com) The scale of capital expenditures by the Mag Seven is unprecedented.
Nerd's Eye View
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
Welcome everyone! Welcome to the 424th episode of the Financial Advisor Success Podcast ! My guest on today's podcast is David Grau, Jr. David is the President of Succession Resource Group, an advisory consulting and valuation business based in Portland, Oregon that serves independent financial advisors with RIAs and broker-dealers. What's unique about David, though, is how his two decades of experience supporting financial advisory firms has helped him uncover best practices for founders and su
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 14, 2025
The government seeks to suspend pending litigation surrounding the fiduciary rule, to allow the Labor Department to decide how to proceed under the new administration.
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
FEBRUARY 14, 2025
From the Fed: Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization Industrial production (IP) increased 0.5 percent in January after moving up 1.0 percent in December. In January, gains in the output of aircraft and parts contributed 0.2 percentage point to total IP growth following the earlier resolution of a work stoppage at a major aircraft manufacturer.
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
Books An excerpt from Yoni Appelbaums new book, "Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity." (theatlantic.com) An excerpt from "Humans: A Monstrous History" by Surekha Davies. (lithub.com) An excerpt from "The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West" by Alexander C. Karp and Nicholas W.
A Wealth of Common Sense
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
Barry Ritholtz joined me on the show this week to discuss questions about timing market corrections with your savings account, how your portfolio should look heading into retirement, managing your parent’s financial plan and how to force yourself into splurging a little when you have more than enough money. Further Reading: How Much is a 3% Mortgage Worth?
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
iMessage isnt going anywhere, and neither are the regulators. Here's how financial advisors can stay compliant.
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
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
The DOL reported : In the week ending February 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 213,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 219,000 to 220,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average.
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
Markets The big multi-decade trends driving the U.S. stock market. (awealthofcommonsense.com) The stock market is getting pricey, but that doesn't necessarily mean sell. (brklyninvestor.com) Crypto Bitcoin strategic reserve, or not, Bitcoin has gone mainstream. (ig.ft.com) Solana ETFs are queued up at the SEC. (sherwood.news) More altcoin ETFs are coming down the pike.
Clever Girl Finance
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
Do you ever feel like your money disappears the moment you get paid? Maybe you have mounting credit card debt or an emergency fund thats dangerously low. If you want to take control of your finances, break the cycle of overspending, and build lasting financial stability, then a low-buy year could be the perfect reset. Table of contents No-buy year vs low-buy year?
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
The consultancy projects independent RIAs to grow 4% annually through 2028, with insurance broker/dealer advisors seeing the most attrition with 2.6% annual declines.
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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.
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 8, 2025
The key reports this week are January CPI and Retail sales. For manufacturing, the January Industrial Production report will be released this week. Fed Chair Powell presents the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday. -- Monday, February 10th -- No major economic releases scheduled. -- Tuesday, February 11th -- 6:00 AM: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index for January. 10:00 AM: Testimony, Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to Congress ,
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
Podcasts Peter Lazaroff on the continued case for global diversification. (peterlazaroff.com) Khe Hy talks with Elle Griffin about the death of the 40-hour workweek. (youtube.com) Sahil Bloom Barry Ritholtz talks with Sahil Bloom author of the new book "The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life." (ritholtz.com) Derek Thompson talks with Sahil Bloom author of the new book "The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life.
Clever Girl Finance
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
Have you been overspending and want to get back on track? Maybe you just want to boost your savings or finally break free from impulse purchases. A no spend month could be exactly what you need! Table of contents What is a no spend month? The benefits of a no spend month Expert tip: A no spend month can make you more intentional Mistakes to avoid during your no spend month Commonly asked questions about doing a no spend month Articles related to spending less Try a no spend month!
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
An attorney representing Frank Black in his case against FINRA believes the issue of whether the self-regulatory organizations enforcement proceedings are constitutional could hit the Supreme Court within the next several years.
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.
Calculated Risk
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
Here are a few measures of inflation: The first graph is the one Fed Chair Powell had mentioned when services less rent of shelter was up around 8% year-over-year. This declined, but is still elevated, and is now up 3.9% YoY. Click on graph for larger image. This graph shows the YoY price change for Services and Services less rent of shelter through December 2024.
Abnormal Returns
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
Investing How the model portfolio business is evolving. (morningstar.com) Robinhood's ($HOOD) proposed robo-advisor offering seems plain vanilla. (riabiz.com) Health The case against HSAs. (kitces.com) People seem to underestimate the chances of needing long term care. (crr.bc.edu) Advisers Certifications are important, but connecting with clients is paramount.
Clever Girl Finance
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
If you’re thinking about using the cash envelope system to budget effectively, having the right cash envelope wallet is key. A well-organized wallet makes it easy to divide, access, and track your cash, helping you stay committed to your budgeting goals. Without one, managing your envelopes can feel chaotic, making it harder to stick to your plan.
Wealth Management
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
A new analysis from Nariet shows REITs have performed well in both high and low interest rate environments.
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.
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