Even with high valuations, we believe earnings growth can beat consensus expectations. In this environment, we’re not shying away from the risk-on trade....

Enterprise content management (ECM) software speeds up operations by automating key processes, saves time spent locating documents with a searchable, centralized digital repository and keeps firms better prepared to meet compliance requirements with robust security controls. High-performing ECM systems run an organization like a well-oiled machine ensuring information reaches the right people at the right time. Even as technology evolves,...

What’s the story for the rest of the year? In his Midyear Outlook 2021, Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan says it will depend on whether the economy can find its way through a maze of problems—including rising inflation, labor shortages, and supply-chain gaps. Despite these risks, we’ve made real progress, and a return to normal could soon be in sight....

If you’re thinking about leaving your wirehouse to start your own firm, there’s a lot to consider. And, while it’s not for everyone, it can be a very rewarding journey for both you and your clients....

For advisors seeking the benefits of independent practice, a smooth and efficient transition is key to ensuring their client base stays intact. And nothing is more critical to client retention during that stage than the tech stack. But as the advisor fintech space has become so expansive many advisors transitioning from wirehouses don’t have the technological expertise to evaluate and...

Matt Lloyd looks at the myriad of liquidity measures and what the draining from gains does to asset prices and fiscal and monetary responses....

Many clients now prefer a holistic approach to financial planning that addresses many different aspects of wealth management, and are willing to pay a fee for these additional services. This consistent and gradual trend towards fees is likely to continue as financial professionals are seen as client partners in pursuit of long-term goals rather than transaction facilitators....

Emerging markets have come of age, but to capture the opportunities while avoiding the risks, a disciplined, fundamental, balanced approach matters....

How to plan, launch, and track ads on social media and search engines....

With shifting economic conditions and ongoing regulatory changes, timing can be everything when it comes to the success of your clients’ financial plans. Uncover key areas to focus on as you consider making important plan changes, including estate plans and charitable giving options, health care and life insurance, and beneficiary designations....

With the economy still in flux, many advisors may be looking to get out of the business and this could provide you a prime opportunity for growth. One of the best ways to grow your business is by adding an existing firm under your umbrella. Whether you are buying or selling in the current market, there is still a right...

Signs of market euphoria are everywhere. Animal spirits are running hotter now than during the last market peak just before the coronavirus-induced lockdowns began....

You probably didn’t expect to become a mental health expert over the past year, but it’s now part of your ever-growing list of priorities. A recent report says two-thirds of senior-level decision makers in financial services are considering quitting their jobs if stress levels do not improve. As you look for ways to support your employees during a global pandemic...

In this time when it’s difficult to create meaningful connections with clients and prospects, finding ways to nurture these relationships and enhance loyalty is key. Implementing a process that shows you care about what’s important to them can make a major difference. This is called “Surprise & Delight” and it can have a direct impact on retention and referrals....

As advisory firms scale, so does their complexity. Tech stacks that may have worked in the early stages of firm growth may not be able to support teams operating at scale. That's why now more than ever, it is important for firms to accurately define their needs and requirements when selecting new technology to support their goals and vision....

Sustainable investing in the United States continues to accelerate at a rapid pace. Here, we dive into the sustainable investing landscape and how the Shelton Green Alpha Fund (NEXTX) fits in a client portfolio with Portfolio Manager, Garvin Jabusch. NEXTX was the top U.S. Equity ESG fund for 2020 according to Morningstar....

As the market continues to change rapidly each day, with everything from the pandemic to Reddit coming into play, it only adds to the stress on your firm. You and your employees are just trying to keep your head above water and even pre-pandemic 2 out of 3 financial services professionals reported work-related mental health issues. Your teams work hard...

Alternative investments continue to gain market share, but the management of them continues to be behind the times. A large portion of alternative investment transactions are still processed manually. This means a higher rate of errors and a process that is slower and more expensive than it needs to be. Your clients may be more likely to get involved with...

To drive sustainable and profitable growth over the long term, smart RIAs implement strategies that help deepen existing client relationships while prospecting for new ones. Top producers often outpace competitors through new business improvements that focus on clients in order to build trust, even while striving to grow. Discover how you can duplicate their success so you can grow faster,...

These days more of your clients are likely showing interest in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing, and that trend shows no signs of slowing. Especially as the Millennial demographic controls an increasing share of wealth, investors want to align with companies who share similar values and societal views. They also demand more transparency as they look for positive societal...

Crypto is an incredibly diverse and exciting investment opportunity at the forefront of financial technology advancement. As cryptocurrency continues to become more popular and accessible, clients may become more interested in how to include crypto in their financial portfolio. BlockFi is here to help you understand the basics of cryptocurrency and how it can positively impact the reach and growth...

Examining your marketing strategies and committing them to paper can transform your ideas into a powerful platform for success. 5 Steps to an Effective Marketing Plan will help you create an organized, thoughtful written plan to raise your competitive profile and enhance your ability to attract and retain valuable clients....

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has upended and drastically changed our lives forever. Orders to stay home and stay safe have expedited the transformation of digitally enabled relationships and technological advances at an unprecedented pace. This pandemic also has created a nearly immediate acceptance of a virtual working environment – one that will stay with us in some form long...

Alternative investments continue to gain market share, but the management of them continues to be behind the times. A large portion of alternative investment transactions are still processed manually. This means a higher rate of errors and a process that is slower and more expensive than it needs to be. Your clients may be more likely to get involved with...

Much has been made of the demise of value investing in recent years. This paper will highlight...

Have major central bankers and fiscal authorities effectively pursued Modern Monetary Theory in practice, if not in name, as debt monetization has lost its stigma?...

Whether it’s by a successor trustee who won’t allow you to continue managing the family trust or by the grantor’s widow or other heirs who overwhelmingly replace the grantor’s preferred advisor, the result is the same. Learn how to mitigate these risks....

What’s the story for the economy and markets in 2021? According to Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan, the recovery has been steady and much faster than expected. Even with ongoing uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus and some anticipated setbacks, McMillan outlines why we may still be on track to something approaching pre-pandemic normal by the end of 2021....

Accurate and efficient reporting is critical to making data-driven decisions. If you don’t manage your reports well, keeping in mind how they are used, how often and by whom, it can keep you from reaching your long-term goals. Rationalization using data science can empower you to determine the right set of reports, quickly, for your business....

We have consistently observed that the market is inefficient at pricing specific risk. Loomis Sayles' full discretion investment style follows two core philosophies to help capitalize on this persistent inefficiency in corporate credit and drive excess return potential....

Regardless of pandemics, elections, or natural disasters, advisory firms need to consistently deliver value to their clients even during difficult times. By making plans today and creating a proper strategy to navigate tough economic conditions, firms can continue to thrive in the face of any challenges that may come their way....

In this E-guide, we break down the basics of opportunity zone funds, compare them to other tax-advantaged investments, and highlight what financial professionals need to know before recommending opportunity zone funds to clients....

Many financial advisors are frustrated with their broker-dealer for a number of reasons, profit squeezing, rising costs, lack of continuity and stability to name a few, but it doesn’t have to be that way....

U.S. equities have had a great run for more than a decade. Investors may now be over-exposed to domestic stocks, particularly given the size of overseas equity markets and the number of idiosyncratic businesses within them....

Financial professionals today are finding it harder to stand out from the crowd, in part due to increasingly restrictive selling agreements. For advisors and other professionals feeling frustrated or boxed-in, it could be worth exploring a move to a financial services provider that provides access to a wider range of investment products (including alternatives) and that prioritizes giving financial professionals...

Your firm may consistently use social media as part of your marketing efforts, but that might not be its greatest value. Understanding the true potential of social is now imperative as you look for new opportunities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important to know how social can help you build relationships, create tangible value beyond marketing, and...

Technology and alternatives can offer a competitive advantage in uncertain times. Two such areas of opportunity that advisors should consider are:...

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY REBOUNDED SHARPLY OVER THE THIRD QUARTER, PUSHING THE GLOBAL ECONOMY OUT OF THE DOWNTURN PHASE OF THE CREDIT CYCLE. We believe the economy is now in credit repair, which is a progressive but still-volatile phase of the cycle. We believe risk assets can deliver positive excess return potential in this environment, especially if monetary and fiscal policy remain...

The COVID-induced disruption has wreaked havoc on every aspect of our lives, and financial advisors are certainly not immune. It has also accelerated the need for RIAs to re-think their business and operating models as we enter a new era with new norms. Can outsourcing provide an antidote for The New Normal?...

When it comes to securing critical data, what advisors don’t know can hurt them....

This guide is designed to illustrate your integral role on the estate planning team. It also provides interview questions, alerts you to key issues, and points you to practical solutions for implementing your client’s plan....

Innovative strategies advisors are using to succeed in a changing client market...

Risk assets begin 2020 at lofty price levels. Are stocks fully valued, or rather a relative value versus global bonds? Read a conversation with Thornburg Chief Investment Strategist Brian McMahon who surveys the unfolding investment landscape....

Quantitative managers are creating investment strategies that harness AI. How should investors assess them?...

After false starts in the last few years, we believe emerging markets are set to deliver strong performance in the year to come, thanks to accelerating and broad-based drivers....

Loomis Sayles analysts dove deep into the rapidly evolving green bond market. Read on for our findings....

As investors struggle to find attractive yield-generating opportunities in a lower-for-longer interest rate environment, many are diversifying into corporate real estate. But not all real estate is created equal....