As we move into the second half of 2022, there are lots of things to worry about.
The client experience—from both an advisor/firm and advisor/client perspective—is a differentiating factor in an independent advisor’s success. In Focus on the Experience, the second white paper in a four-part series with Cerulli Associates, you’ll learn how partner firms can support advisors and why choosing the right firm partner will allow you to create the optimal client experience to build strong, lasting relationships.
We hit a milestone just recently, although it’s certainly not one we wanted to hit.
Did you know that 89 percent of advisors who are looking for independence want more autonomy over their business, and nearly all of them want higher payouts? In Demystifying the Independent Channel, the first white paper in a four-part series from Cerulli Associates, you’ll find a further breakdown of which advisors seek independence, and why. You'll also discover what it really means to manage your own business, and how advisors can make a successful transition.
Markets stabilized in May after one of the worst months since the start of the pandemic.
Yesterday was another bad down day in the markets.
April was a hard month for the markets.
As more and more people approach their golden years, you may see a shift in your practice—from a focus on accumulation and growth to one of income and distribution. It’s important that you’re prepared to not only ensure that your clients have enough to live comfortably, but to help them properly allocate the assets they have.
The economy seems to be doing well, with job growth still at high levels, consumer spending still healthy, and businesses continuing to invest.
Markets rebounded in March, but it was not enough to offset earlier losses in January and February.
We saw a bit of a bounce in stock markets in March, but not enough to recover from a terrible first quarter.
All compliance teams are bound by the same rules, but it’s how they create policies to comply with those rules that may make them different.
In this white paper, you’ll learn:
We’ve talked a lot about higher interest rates and what they mean for the market.
Yesterday, I laid out why I am not concerned, in general, about what a yield curve inversion means for the economy, while still being very aware of the increasing risks.
Have you experienced sticker shock at the pump recently?
You may think that going independent means you’ll have less time for client interactions—after all, you’ll have an office to run. Well, that’s not true for breakaway advisors who partner with the right firm. A recent study from Cerulli Associates breaks down how much time breakaway advisors save by choosing a collaborative firm partner.
Recent equity market volatility is being partially attributed to potential Fed tightening, as the Fed has signaled a shift from an accommodative monetary policy stance to one that is more restrictive.
I have been holding off on commenting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict until some sort of resolution occurred.
How do advisors leave the employer-based channel stress free? John Pratti did it by finding a collaborative partner who was right for him. Learn how his move to independence and client focus led to revenue growth and a better work-life balance. You’ll take a deep dive into what drove John’s need for change, how Commonwealth supported his goals, and how he more than doubled his fee-based AUM since joining!
Over the past decade, interest in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing has grown dramatically.
January was a terrible month.
The official jobs report comes out this Friday. Expectations are for another slowdown, with about 175,000 jobs added, down from 199,000 in December.
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine are showing no signs of abating.
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for January. Markets pulled back to start the year, with U.S. indices dropping between 3 and 10 percent. On the medical front, the Omicron wave continued. As case growth rose to new highs, consumer and business confidence took a hit. Finally, January reports showed inflation at a 40-year high, and the Fed announced a rate hike in March was very likely. Despite this perfect storm of bad news, are there positive signs on the horizon? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
On February 1, China bids farewell to the Year of the Ox and rings in the Year of the Tiger.
The panic of the day is the news about interest rates.
We are just starting earnings season, when companies will be reporting how much money they made in the fourth quarter of last year.
What’s in store for the markets and economy? According to Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan and his A-team of analysts, the recovery is no longer dancing to the tune of the pandemic. While the emerging Omicron variant and factors like the Fed’s tightening of monetary policy make for uncertainty, the team outlines the upside possibilities for regaining balance and redefining normal in the year ahead.
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for December. The year closed on a strong note, with the Dow and S&P showing gains. The Nasdaq struggled a bit, but it ended the month in the green. On the medical front, the omicron variant drove COVID cases to new highs. Still, the economic data kept getting better. Consumer confidence numbers bounced back, and consumer spending kept growing. Further, business confidence and investment remain very high. But could there be risks ahead? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
As we closed out 2021, the world looked both different from a year ago and very much the same. Another wave of the virus was underway, with a new variant that may be even worse than the one before.
High-net-worth clients can play an integral role in the profitability of your advisory practice. Are you prepared to meet their multifaceted financial planning needs? Follow this guide for a walkthrough of advanced wealth management strategies, including estate planning, special needs care planning, asset protection, and charitable giving.
Commonwealth CIO Brad McMillan recaps November’s market and economic news. It was a generally weak month for the markets, with declines driven by the emergence of the Omicron variant and a move by the Fed to start normalizing monetary policy. Should we expect more volatility ahead? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer
Inflation and what it means for investing is one of the biggest issues I have been hearing about recently. The topic can generate quite a bit of anxiety. But before we start to worry, let’s take some time to understand what actually happens when inflation hits the economy. Then we can panic—or not.
What really happens when you go fee-only and run your own RIA? The Road to RIA-Only: One Firm’s Journey follows the story of two advisors who are doing both. In it, they speak candidly about the highs and lows of the experience and offer advice for others considering a similar path.
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for October. The markets saw a bounce last month. The Nasdaq and the S&P gained over 7 percent, and the Dow was up almost 6 percent. These results were driven by the stabilization of key economic data. Job growth declined in September, but a higher October result is expected as labor demand remains strong. Plus, consumer confidence has stabilized. With improving medical data and economic risks trending down, are we almost out of the woods? Stay tuned for more. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
It’s been a while, but it’s time for another COVID update. Compared with a month ago, the medical situation continues to improve, which is good news, although there are reasons to be concerned over the next month or two.
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for September. It was a bad month for the markets. In the U.S., all three major indices were down. Developed markets dropped, and emerging markets did worst of all. These declines resulted from the weakening of the economic data, driven by the spread of the Delta wave of the virus. Job growth was down, layoffs trended up, and consumer confidence dropped. Does the economy have the momentum to keep going until the virus is under control? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
After a great start to the quarter in July and August, September was when the storms hit. Here in the U.S., markets pulled back significantly.
Clients looking to give to charity often already know where they want their money to go based on a personal connection or passion for a particular cause. Where they’ll need your help is deciding how to make those donations.
A Quick Guide to Charitable Giving Options reviews a variety of giving methods—offering potential benefits and other considerations for each—and includes a glossary of related terms. With it, you’ll be better equipped to help your clients find the right giving method based on their philanthropic goals.
For those who haven’t heard, global markets slumped yesterday as a Chinese real estate developer, Evergrande, was reported to be approaching bankruptcy. For many, this news brings to mind the great financial crisis of 2008.
U.S. equity markets continued to rally in August, with all three major indices setting new record highs during the month. We did see some midmonth volatility, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.50 percent, while the S&P 500 experienced a 3.04 percent gain.
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for August. It was another very good month for the financial markets. In the U.S., both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 showed material gains, while developed markets also did well. On the medical front, the virus continued its spread. There are signs that the rising medical risks are starting to appear in the data, with consumer confidence dropping significantly in August. So, will we see a slowdown in the recovery as we move into the fall? Stay tuned for more. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
You’ve put time and effort into cultivating great relationships with your clients. As you prepare to leave the wirehouse for independence, learn how to mitigate risk, announce your departure, and create a seamless transition process for your assets.
My colleague Sam Millette, manager, fixed income, on Commonwealth’s Investment Management and Research team, has helped me put together this month’s Market Risk Update.
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for July. It was a generally good month for the markets, with all three major U.S. indices up by more than 1 percent. But emerging markets were hit hard and ended the month down significantly. On the economic front, the data remains positive, although business and consumer confidence declined. Further, medical risks are on the rise, with the Delta variant hitting the unvaccinated population. Will these risks slow down the recovery? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
Breaking away from your wirehouse is a life-changing decision. If you know it’s the best move for you and your clients, you’ve taken the first big step. We can help you with what comes next. Download our guide to learn about picking an affiliation model, choosing the right firm to partner with, and starting a new business.
Yesterday was an interesting day.
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.
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for June. It was a mixed month for the markets. In the U.S., the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 were up, but the Dow ticked down. We saw the same trend internationally, with developed markets falling even as emerging markets moved ahead. On the economic front, business confidence remains at or close to all-time highs. Still, the problems of success (labor shortages and supply chain issues) loom large. So, where do we go from here? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
If we could travel back in time to the beginning of 2020, many of us would be surprised at how good things were.
