In the latest episode of ETF 360, Kirsten Chang was joined by Rockefeller Asset Management’s Director of Fixed Income Alex Petrone.
The transition from bank-dominated lending to a diversified financing ecosystem offers unprecedented opportunities for private credit investors.
When US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces the media after the central bank’s policy-making meeting next week, he’ll probably get a politically fraught question: How will the Fed incorporate president-elect Donald Trump’s stated plans — including tax cuts, tariffs and deportations — into its economic outlook and monetary policy?
Federal Reserve officials will lower interest rates this month for a third straight time and pare back the number of rate cuts they anticipate next year, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.
From Wall Street funds to small-time day traders, those who dared to bet big on Elon Musk’s business empire are closing out the year with hefty payoffs, as Donald Trump’s US election win turbocharges the fortunes of the world’s richest man.
Portfolio managers and market strategists from Payden & Rygel review the opportunities and risks ahead for four bond market sectors: high yield, emerging markets, global bonds and low duration securities.
In his 2025 investment outlook, Head of U.S. Securitized Products John Kerschner shares his U.S. securitized outlook, identifying the key trends he believes will drive investment returns in the year ahead.
“Should I hire a financial advisor?” people often ask Jon Fee. The answer is never “No.” But sometimes the answer is “Maybe.”
Fixed income markets face key questions that will shape their direction in 2025. This post explores these questions & their potential impact.
Join the experts at abrdn as they discuss the nuances of municipal bond investing, how current events are shaping the opportunities for this asset class as we head into 2025, and where municipal bonds may fit within your fixed-income allocation.
China got a head start on a looming trade war with the US by showcasing a new range of tools it’s prepared to use if Donald Trump makes good on his threat to punish the world’s second-biggest economy with tariffs.
The near-$5 trillion hedge fund industry is having one of the toughest years in decades in convincing fee-conscious investors to fork out cash for new market players.
To most of us, a power plant is a source of electricity. To Exxon Mobil Corp., it’s a machine that converts natural gas into money. And this is a propitious time for doing that.
In the two years since ChatGPT burst onto the scene, artificial intelligence has come to dominate investor consciousness more than any other technological breakthrough in the past two decades.
We expect high yield bond issuers to maintain healthy balance sheets and defaults to remain low.
SpaceX and its investors have agreed to purchase as much as $1.25 billion of insider shares in a transaction valuing Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite maker at about $350 billion, according to an internal email seen by Bloomberg.
Republicans have lashed out at the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a landmark package of incentives for clean energy, since it was passed two years ago.
Inflation optimists were riding high at the start of 2024. Price pressures seemed to be cooling quickly, and market pricing suggested that the Federal Reserve might lower policy rates by a whopping 1.75 percentage points this year.
To maximize tax benefits from year-end charitable giving, you may want to use strategies like lumping contributions, making qualified charitable distributions from IRAs, and gifting appreciated assets.
Our outlook on the 11 S&P 500 equity sectors.
An enduring image from 2024 will be the capture of the SpaceX booster rocket by the Mechazilla robot arms on its return to Earth. This achievement served as a powerful metaphor for the year: the improbable not only became possible but redefined expectations.
Better than expected economic data in November appears to be thwarting the FOMC's efforts to engineer lower short-term interest rates.
This series has been updated to include the November release of the consumer price index as the deflator and the monthly employment update. The latest hypothetical real (inflation-adjusted) annual earnings are at $51,510, down 6.5% from over 50 years ago. After adjusting for inflation, hourly earnings are below their all-time high from April 2020.
Here are six key areas where AI can make a transformative impact on financial advisory practice.
US consumer prices rose at a firm pace in November that was in line with expectations, solidifying expectations for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates next week.
US Treasuries gained and traders boosted their bets on a Federal Reserve interest-rate reduction next week after a report showed consumer prices last month accelerated in line with expectations.
What is there to say with Bitcoin at $100,000 for those of us who thought $10,000 looked nuts.
ByteDance Ltd.’s options for TikTok in the US are looking increasingly desolate, as the tech war between Washington and Beijing boils over.
Google debuted a new version of its flagship artificial intelligence model that it said is twice as fast as its previous version and will power virtual agents that assist users.
For a twist on this week’s column, I will share some stress management techniques I often teach to help mitigate the overwhelming feeling of “I can’t do this all!” and to find ways to enjoy the December rush.
Effective listening can help convert more prospects into clients. Your ability to listen effectively can be the deciding factor in whether they choose to work with you.
We examine how a potentially complex bond market in 2025 could still offer opportunities in high-yield bonds, municipal bonds, and inflation-protected securities.
The U.S. economy and stock market are entering 2025 from a position of strength, but risks of volatility—especially pertaining to policy—are much higher compared to last year.
The Santa Claus rally that started a few weeks back continued as the market logged its 53rd record high for 2024. While the Scrooges bemoaned inflation and tariffs, other investors embraced the strong economic data and loaded their sleds with market returns.
The surprise nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head healthcare policy in the U.S. caused substantial volatility in November. But despite heightened uncertainty, the sector’s long-term outlook appears intact, say Portfolio Managers Andy Acker and Dan Lyons – giving investors a potential opportunity to invest at attractive valuations.
BlackRock’s Rachel Aguirre highlights several of the year’s biggest ETF trends and explains how the firm has positioned itself around them. VettaFi’s Cinthia Murphy discusses the recently launched FIRE ETFs and LifeX ETFs.
Financial advisors are in a prime position to help clients adopt preventive measures against tax-related identity theft. Effective protection involves a mix of robust security practices, ongoing fraud prevention education, and tools for monitoring client accounts.
We decided to see which companies saw the greatest spillover effects from these two revolutionary technologies.
India’s institutional strength used to be reflected in the reliability of its national accounts.
December is a big month for stock buybacks, and by month’s end, companies are expected to spend more money repurchasing shares this year than ever before.
Alphabet Inc.’s Google is investing in mega energy parks that will generate renewable power as the company races to fuel its data centers.
In an equity market that has mostly moved straight up this year, the logical question is, how have we been realizing losses? Our analysis of potential tax benefit1 may provide the answer.
When the ECB’s rate-cutting cycle ends, should the neutral rate be far higher than pre-pandemic? Not in our view.
Strong 2024 performance may be tough to replicate given tight credit spreads, but we still have a favorable view on corporate bond investments given the strong economy.
On the latest edition of Market Week in Review, Investment Strategist BeiChen Lin discussed the ouster of France’s prime minister and the potential market implications. He also provided an update on the health of the U.S. economy.
Why hasn’t tighter monetary policy caused a recession? One reason: federal budget deficits have been huge.
Last week we processed robust economic data and growing clarity on Federal Reserve policy, instilling a consensus view for a strong market that is now well reflected in positioning.
The odds are good that Santa won’t disappoint in 2024. Here’s the history of the past 99 Decembers, compared to the other months.
Might another market liquidity event be on the horizon? While there is generally good liquidity in the financial system, there are some nascent signs that problems could arise.
'The past is not necessarily prologue,' said VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth, in advance of tomorrow’s Market Outlook Symposium.
he economic-policy consensus that prevails in the US is right about one thing.
I am (mostly) bullish on crypto and (usually) skeptical of higher taxes, especially on capital gains.
We believe municipal bonds currently offer a compelling balance of risk and reward for investors in higher tax brackets.
Financial markets often move in cycles where enthusiasm drives prices higher, sometimes far beyond what fundamentals justify.
Whether you want to buy or rent, finding an affordable, comfortable home can be extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Just a few short years (months?) ago, few would have believed it possible. But it happened: Bitcoin has traded above $100,000 for the first time ever.
Investment themes are highly dynamic, shouldn’t your investment process be too? Learn about a systematic framework to help with identifying and investing across the themes driving markets.
U.S. policies are set for a major reshaping as full Republican control takes hold in 2025.
Five of Franklin Templeton’s specialist investment managers provide their annual outlooks for the global economy and key asset classes, including global equities; global fixed income; global infrastructure; the macro fixed income environment; municipal bond market; high yield bond market; small cap equities; U.S. dollar; U.S. economy; and U.S. equities.
If you thought the detention and subsequent release of Resolute Mining Ltd.’s chief executive by the government of Mali two weeks ago was a one-off, you would have been wrong.
Hedge fund executive Cliff Asness says artificial intelligence is becoming “annoyingly better” at doing parts of his job.
How to unlock value in a complex market landscape.
Over the past few years, I’ve written numerous articles and given numerous presentations on Direct Indexing.
With year-end looming, consider taking action now to determine if annual gifts make sense. Our Bill Cass shares useful strategies to consider for estate planning.
The bond market is caught between the Federal Reserve's plans to cut interest rates and the risk of higher inflation and federal debt levels.
The explosive growth of the ETF industry has attracted a full range of new entrants this year — from smaller individuals to the largest hedge funds in the world. More and more fund managers are making their foray into the world of ETFs.
Since its enactment in 2022, the Chips and Science Act — a $280 billion splurge intended to revive US semiconductor manufacturing — has been at best a mixed success. A $7.9 billion grant to Intel Corp., announced by President Joe Biden’s administration last week, shows how this gravy train may be headed off the rails.
While the economy helped President Trump win a second term, it also created expectations that could prove difficult to meet.
A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about how the deficit had come back into focus for the U.S. financial markets.
Understanding how money impacts human behavior and psychology may help serve your clients effectively.
By understanding annuities, debunking myths, and staying on top of tax implications, you can offer your clients the financial stability they crave. Regular reviews, proactive communication, and continuous education are the keys to success.
The $1.8 trillion federal budget deficit in the fiscal year that ended in September was the third biggest ever in dollar terms, trailing only the pandemic deficits of the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years. As a share of gross domestic product, a better gauge for historical comparisons, it was, at 6.4%, the biggest ever outside of a large war or global crisis.
Donald Trump’s tariff barrage may trigger a response from the Federal Reserve that the new president won’t like.
Bond traders are positioning for the US Treasuries market to extend its recent advance, showing confidence that yields will continue to pull back from the peaks hit after Donald Trump’s election victory.
We launched QuantStreet a little over three years ago, and our first accounts went live as of December 2021.
The S&P 500 earnings growth rate will likely come in just below the 6% mark for the third quarter.
In their 2025 outlook, Head of Americas Equities Marc Pinto and Head of EMEA and Asia Pacific Equities Lucas Klein say a changing macroeconomic backdrop could create new pockets of leadership in global equity markets.
While politics garner headlines, fundamentals drive the market over the long term.
The WisdomTree BioRevolution Fund (WDNA) is showing signs of recovery, reflecting renewed investor confidence in biotechnology innovation.
The decision of whether to generate lifetime income with an annuity should be made on its own merits, e.g., as part of a holistic, goals-based investing process. In those cases where annuitized income is deemed beneficial, though, this article has illustrated why the purchase of a qualified annuity from IRA assets may be more attractive than you might expect.
Armada’s Phil Bak discusses wrapping private assets in ETFs and fields rapid-fire questions on some of the industry’s hottest topics. VettaFi’s Kirsten Chang explains “ETFs going Hollywood”, with a growing list of prominent individuals now launching products.
One of the most important issues for Congress next year is tax reform.
When it comes to personalized investment strategies, multiple perspectives come into play: the client, the provider and the advisor.
As a result of the election and rate cuts, the stock market indices surged to new highs in anticipation of lower taxes & looser regulations.
Astoria rounds up its 10 ETFs for 2025, providing unique thought leadership and actionable investment ideas.
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discussed several topics related to the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF overall.
Expectations for solid corporate earnings drove our U.S. and Japanese equity overweights this year. They have delivered, showing that fundamentals are key. Earnings strength could matter more to equity investors in 2025 over valuations.
US Treasuries fell on Monday as traders awaited a hefty week of economic data and speeches from Federal Reserve officials that will likely determine expectations for the central bank’s policy decision later this month.
The world’s biggest hedge funds made the most of trading opportunities sparked by Donald Trump’s reelection last month, keeping the industry on track to post its strongest returns in at least four years.
The question on “everyone’s” mind, whether the back or the front, is where will the stock market be in two, three, six years?
Tax Loss Harvesting
ETF360: Alex Petrone of Rockefeller Asset Management discusses RMOP
In the latest episode of ETF 360, Kirsten Chang was joined by Rockefeller Asset Management’s Director of Fixed Income Alex Petrone.
Private Credit: Asset-Based Finance Shines as Lending Landscape Evolves
The transition from bank-dominated lending to a diversified financing ecosystem offers unprecedented opportunities for private credit investors.
The Fed Can’t Ignore All of Trump’s Intentions
When US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces the media after the central bank’s policy-making meeting next week, he’ll probably get a politically fraught question: How will the Fed incorporate president-elect Donald Trump’s stated plans — including tax cuts, tariffs and deportations — into its economic outlook and monetary policy?
Fed to Cut Once More Before Slowing Pace in 2025, Economists Say
Federal Reserve officials will lower interest rates this month for a third straight time and pare back the number of rate cuts they anticipate next year, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.
A 500% Rally Shows the Elon Musk Euphoria for Bold-Faced Fund
From Wall Street funds to small-time day traders, those who dared to bet big on Elon Musk’s business empire are closing out the year with hefty payoffs, as Donald Trump’s US election win turbocharges the fortunes of the world’s richest man.
What’s Ahead for Fixed Income in 2025?
Portfolio managers and market strategists from Payden & Rygel review the opportunities and risks ahead for four bond market sectors: high yield, emerging markets, global bonds and low duration securities.
Key Trends Driving U. S. Securitized Fixed Income in 2025
In his 2025 investment outlook, Head of U.S. Securitized Products John Kerschner shares his U.S. securitized outlook, identifying the key trends he believes will drive investment returns in the year ahead.
Should I Hire a Financial Advisor?
“Should I hire a financial advisor?” people often ask Jon Fee. The answer is never “No.” But sometimes the answer is “Maybe.”
Notes from the Desk: 3 Questions for 2025
Fixed income markets face key questions that will shape their direction in 2025. This post explores these questions & their potential impact.
2025 Municipal Bond Outlook: Building a pathway to tax-advantaged income
Join the experts at abrdn as they discuss the nuances of municipal bond investing, how current events are shaping the opportunities for this asset class as we head into 2025, and where municipal bonds may fit within your fixed-income allocation.
Xi Readies Bargaining Chips for US Trade War
China got a head start on a looming trade war with the US by showcasing a new range of tools it’s prepared to use if Donald Trump makes good on his threat to punish the world’s second-biggest economy with tariffs.
Hedge-Fund Startups Dwindle as Managers Battle Pressure on Fees
The near-$5 trillion hedge fund industry is having one of the toughest years in decades in convincing fee-conscious investors to fork out cash for new market players.
Exxon's AI Power Play Aims to Beat Nuclear
To most of us, a power plant is a source of electricity. To Exxon Mobil Corp., it’s a machine that converts natural gas into money. And this is a propitious time for doing that.
Big Tech Is Betting on AI. Should You?
In the two years since ChatGPT burst onto the scene, artificial intelligence has come to dominate investor consciousness more than any other technological breakthrough in the past two decades.
Yields and Credit Quality Make High Yield Bonds Attractive for 2025
We expect high yield bond issuers to maintain healthy balance sheets and defaults to remain low.
SpaceX Valuation Jumps to About $350 Billion in Insider Deal
SpaceX and its investors have agreed to purchase as much as $1.25 billion of insider shares in a transaction valuing Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite maker at about $350 billion, according to an internal email seen by Bloomberg.
The Future of the Inflation Reduction Act
Republicans have lashed out at the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a landmark package of incentives for clean energy, since it was passed two years ago.
Inflation Anxiety Just Got a Reality Check
Inflation optimists were riding high at the start of 2024. Price pressures seemed to be cooling quickly, and market pricing suggested that the Federal Reserve might lower policy rates by a whopping 1.75 percentage points this year.
End-of-Year Giving Tips: Tax Savings Through Charitable Contributions
To maximize tax benefits from year-end charitable giving, you may want to use strategies like lumping contributions, making qualified charitable distributions from IRAs, and gifting appreciated assets.
Sector Views: Monthly Stock Sector Outlook
Our outlook on the 11 S&P 500 equity sectors.
2025 Annual Global Market Outlook: The Mechazilla Moment
An enduring image from 2024 will be the capture of the SpaceX booster rocket by the Mechazilla robot arms on its return to Earth. This achievement served as a powerful metaphor for the year: the improbable not only became possible but redefined expectations.
Better Than Expected Economic Data in November
Better than expected economic data in November appears to be thwarting the FOMC's efforts to engineer lower short-term interest rates.
Middle Class Hourly Wages as of November 2024
This series has been updated to include the November release of the consumer price index as the deflator and the monthly employment update. The latest hypothetical real (inflation-adjusted) annual earnings are at $51,510, down 6.5% from over 50 years ago. After adjusting for inflation, hourly earnings are below their all-time high from April 2020.
How Artificial Intelligence Can Transform Your Practice
Here are six key areas where AI can make a transformative impact on financial advisory practice.
US Inflation in Line With Forecasts Solidifies Bets on Fed Cut
US consumer prices rose at a firm pace in November that was in line with expectations, solidifying expectations for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates next week.
Treasuries Rise as Inflation Data Fuels Wagers on a Fed Rate Cut
US Treasuries gained and traders boosted their bets on a Federal Reserve interest-rate reduction next week after a report showed consumer prices last month accelerated in line with expectations.
Does Bitcoin at $100,000 Signal a Last Laugh for HODLers?
What is there to say with Bitcoin at $100,000 for those of us who thought $10,000 looked nuts.
From TikTok to Nvidia, the Tech War Is Getting Uglier
ByteDance Ltd.’s options for TikTok in the US are looking increasingly desolate, as the tech war between Washington and Beijing boils over.
Google Rolls Out Faster Gemini AI Model to Power Agents
Google debuted a new version of its flagship artificial intelligence model that it said is twice as fast as its previous version and will power virtual agents that assist users.
‘Tis the Season to Be Stressed
For a twist on this week’s column, I will share some stress management techniques I often teach to help mitigate the overwhelming feeling of “I can’t do this all!” and to find ways to enjoy the December rush.
You're Not Listening!
Effective listening can help convert more prospects into clients. Your ability to listen effectively can be the deciding factor in whether they choose to work with you.
Bond Market Opportunities for Investors in 2025
We examine how a potentially complex bond market in 2025 could still offer opportunities in high-yield bonds, municipal bonds, and inflation-protected securities.
2025 U.S. Stocks and Economy Outlook
The U.S. economy and stock market are entering 2025 from a position of strength, but risks of volatility—especially pertaining to policy—are much higher compared to last year.
Market Continues Record Streak: Santa Claus Rally in Full Swing
The Santa Claus rally that started a few weeks back continued as the market logged its 53rd record high for 2024. While the Scrooges bemoaned inflation and tariffs, other investors embraced the strong economic data and loaded their sleds with market returns.
Despite Political Headwinds, Healthcare Stocks Stay Anchored to Innovation
The surprise nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head healthcare policy in the U.S. caused substantial volatility in November. But despite heightened uncertainty, the sector’s long-term outlook appears intact, say Portfolio Managers Andy Acker and Dan Lyons – giving investors a potential opportunity to invest at attractive valuations.
BlackRock’s Rachel Aguirre on Mega Caps, Buffers, Bitcoin, & More
BlackRock’s Rachel Aguirre highlights several of the year’s biggest ETF trends and explains how the firm has positioned itself around them. VettaFi’s Cinthia Murphy discusses the recently launched FIRE ETFs and LifeX ETFs.
A Taxpayer Horror Story: How One Client’s $800,000 Tax Refund Was Stolen and What Advisors Can Do About It
Financial advisors are in a prime position to help clients adopt preventive measures against tax-related identity theft. Effective protection involves a mix of robust security practices, ongoing fraud prevention education, and tools for monitoring client accounts.
The Spillover Effects of NVIDIA and Ozempic
We decided to see which companies saw the greatest spillover effects from these two revolutionary technologies.
India Shouldn’t Let Its Data Turn Chinese
India’s institutional strength used to be reflected in the reliability of its national accounts.
Worried About Stocks? $1 Trillion in Buybacks Will Help
December is a big month for stock buybacks, and by month’s end, companies are expected to spend more money repurchasing shares this year than ever before.
Google Invests in Venture to Build Energy Parks for Data Centers
Alphabet Inc.’s Google is investing in mega energy parks that will generate renewable power as the company races to fuel its data centers.
Tax Loss Harvesting in a Straight Up Market
In an equity market that has mostly moved straight up this year, the logical question is, how have we been realizing losses? Our analysis of potential tax benefit1 may provide the answer.
European Interest Rates: How Far to R*?
When the ECB’s rate-cutting cycle ends, should the neutral rate be far higher than pre-pandemic? Not in our view.
2025 Corporate Bond Outlook
Strong 2024 performance may be tough to replicate given tight credit spreads, but we still have a favorable view on corporate bond investments given the strong economy.
What Investors Should Know About Political Turmoil in France
On the latest edition of Market Week in Review, Investment Strategist BeiChen Lin discussed the ouster of France’s prime minister and the potential market implications. He also provided an update on the health of the U.S. economy.
Irresponsible and Addictive Deficits
Why hasn’t tighter monetary policy caused a recession? One reason: federal budget deficits have been huge.
Over-Exuberant Positioning for a December Rally
Last week we processed robust economic data and growing clarity on Federal Reserve policy, instilling a consensus view for a strong market that is now well reflected in positioning.
Santa’s Gift to the Stock Market
The odds are good that Santa won’t disappoint in 2024. Here’s the history of the past 99 Decembers, compared to the other months.
Frontrunning the Fed: Liquidity Is Worth Watching
Might another market liquidity event be on the horizon? While there is generally good liquidity in the financial system, there are some nascent signs that problems could arise.
Tomorrow's Market Outlook Symposium Brings Critical Insight
'The past is not necessarily prologue,' said VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth, in advance of tomorrow’s Market Outlook Symposium.
The US Can’t Manufacture Its Way to a Thriving Middle Class
he economic-policy consensus that prevails in the US is right about one thing.
Crypto Doesn’t Deserve a Tax Exemption
I am (mostly) bullish on crypto and (usually) skeptical of higher taxes, especially on capital gains.
2025 Municipal Bond Outlook
We believe municipal bonds currently offer a compelling balance of risk and reward for investors in higher tax brackets.
Leverage And Speculation Are At Extremes
Financial markets often move in cycles where enthusiasm drives prices higher, sometimes far beyond what fundamentals justify.
Homes for Christmas
Whether you want to buy or rent, finding an affordable, comfortable home can be extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Bitcoin’s Rise to $100,000 Signals Global Adoption Shift
Just a few short years (months?) ago, few would have believed it possible. But it happened: Bitcoin has traded above $100,000 for the first time ever.
Thematic Investing: Tomorrow’s Themes, Today
Investment themes are highly dynamic, shouldn’t your investment process be too? Learn about a systematic framework to help with identifying and investing across the themes driving markets.
An Investor’s Guide to Potential U.S. Policy Changes in 2025
U.S. policies are set for a major reshaping as full Republican control takes hold in 2025.
Franklin Templeton’s 2025 Outlooks for Equities and Fixed Income Sectors
Five of Franklin Templeton’s specialist investment managers provide their annual outlooks for the global economy and key asset classes, including global equities; global fixed income; global infrastructure; the macro fixed income environment; municipal bond market; high yield bond market; small cap equities; U.S. dollar; U.S. economy; and U.S. equities.
Africans Demand a Bigger Share of Their Natural Resources Wealth
If you thought the detention and subsequent release of Resolute Mining Ltd.’s chief executive by the government of Mali two weeks ago was a one-off, you would have been wrong.
Asness’ AI Twin Heralds End of Human Fund Managers
Hedge fund executive Cliff Asness says artificial intelligence is becoming “annoyingly better” at doing parts of his job.
Turning the Corner? Commercial Real Estate Themes for 2025
How to unlock value in a complex market landscape.
Direct Indexing: The Smart Strategy Advisors Can’t Afford to Ignore in 2025
Over the past few years, I’ve written numerous articles and given numerous presentations on Direct Indexing.
Year-End Estate Planning: Strategies for Maximizing Tax Benefits and Legacy Planning
With year-end looming, consider taking action now to determine if annual gifts make sense. Our Bill Cass shares useful strategies to consider for estate planning.
2025 Treasury Bonds and Fixed Income Outlook
The bond market is caught between the Federal Reserve's plans to cut interest rates and the risk of higher inflation and federal debt levels.
ETFs Gone Hollywood? Heavyweights Enter the ETF Fray
The explosive growth of the ETF industry has attracted a full range of new entrants this year — from smaller individuals to the largest hedge funds in the world. More and more fund managers are making their foray into the world of ETFs.
$8 Billion for Intel Won’t Fix America’s Chip Problem
Since its enactment in 2022, the Chips and Science Act — a $280 billion splurge intended to revive US semiconductor manufacturing — has been at best a mixed success. A $7.9 billion grant to Intel Corp., announced by President Joe Biden’s administration last week, shows how this gravy train may be headed off the rails.
Monthly Global Economic Report
While the economy helped President Trump win a second term, it also created expectations that could prove difficult to meet.
When Will the “Bill” Come Due?
A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about how the deficit had come back into focus for the U.S. financial markets.
Money Changes Your Clients: Key Psychological Insights for Financial Advisors
Understanding how money impacts human behavior and psychology may help serve your clients effectively.
Annuities 101: A Financial Advisor's Guide to Understanding and Utilizing Annuities
By understanding annuities, debunking myths, and staying on top of tax implications, you can offer your clients the financial stability they crave. Regular reviews, proactive communication, and continuous education are the keys to success.
Health-Care Spending Is Sinking the Federal Budget
The $1.8 trillion federal budget deficit in the fiscal year that ended in September was the third biggest ever in dollar terms, trailing only the pandemic deficits of the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years. As a share of gross domestic product, a better gauge for historical comparisons, it was, at 6.4%, the biggest ever outside of a large war or global crisis.
Tariff Inflation Will Likely Be Transitory, But Fed Won’t Say So
Donald Trump’s tariff barrage may trigger a response from the Federal Reserve that the new president won’t like.
Bond Traders Position for US Treasury Market to Extend Rebound
Bond traders are positioning for the US Treasuries market to extend its recent advance, showing confidence that yields will continue to pull back from the peaks hit after Donald Trump’s election victory.
QuantStreet December 2024 Letter: Our Three-Year Anniversary
We launched QuantStreet a little over three years ago, and our first accounts went live as of December 2021.
Positive Earnings Trends Heading into 2025, S&P 500 Price Targets Rolling In
The S&P 500 earnings growth rate will likely come in just below the 6% mark for the third quarter.
A More Dynamic Playing Field for Equity Investors
In their 2025 outlook, Head of Americas Equities Marc Pinto and Head of EMEA and Asia Pacific Equities Lucas Klein say a changing macroeconomic backdrop could create new pockets of leadership in global equity markets.
Equity Markets Carried in November by Post-election Rally
While politics garner headlines, fundamentals drive the market over the long term.
Opportunities in Biotechnology Will Follow Advancements in the Science
The WisdomTree BioRevolution Fund (WDNA) is showing signs of recovery, reflecting renewed investor confidence in biotechnology innovation.
Annuities in an IRA? A Surprising RMD Advantage for FIAs or VAs
The decision of whether to generate lifetime income with an annuity should be made on its own merits, e.g., as part of a holistic, goals-based investing process. In those cases where annuitized income is deemed beneficial, though, this article has illustrated why the purchase of a qualified annuity from IRA assets may be more attractive than you might expect.
Armada’s Phil Bak: Private Assets in ETFs?
Armada’s Phil Bak discusses wrapping private assets in ETFs and fields rapid-fire questions on some of the industry’s hottest topics. VettaFi’s Kirsten Chang explains “ETFs going Hollywood”, with a growing list of prominent individuals now launching products.
Smarter Taxes and Higher Revenues Are Vital in 2025
One of the most important issues for Congress next year is tax reform.
How to Create a Personalized Portfolio with Direct Indexing
When it comes to personalized investment strategies, multiple perspectives come into play: the client, the provider and the advisor.
Trump Wins, Fed Cuts, Market Rips, Now What?
As a result of the election and rate cuts, the stock market indices surged to new highs in anticipation of lower taxes & looser regulations.
Special Report: Astoria’s 10 ETFs for 2025
Astoria rounds up its 10 ETFs for 2025, providing unique thought leadership and actionable investment ideas.
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discussed several topics related to the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF overall.
Uneven Earnings Call for Granularity
Expectations for solid corporate earnings drove our U.S. and Japanese equity overweights this year. They have delivered, showing that fundamentals are key. Earnings strength could matter more to equity investors in 2025 over valuations.
Treasuries Drop as Market Braces for Big Data Week, Fed Speakers
US Treasuries fell on Monday as traders awaited a hefty week of economic data and speeches from Federal Reserve officials that will likely determine expectations for the central bank’s policy decision later this month.
Biggest Hedge Funds Make the Most of the Trump Trade in November
The world’s biggest hedge funds made the most of trading opportunities sparked by Donald Trump’s reelection last month, keeping the industry on track to post its strongest returns in at least four years.
The Changing Nature of the Stock Market
The question on “everyone’s” mind, whether the back or the front, is where will the stock market be in two, three, six years?