The sweeping 900-page tax and spending law signed on July 4 introduces a wide array of provisions that touch nearly every American in one way or another.
Current volatility and optimism are some of the topics being discussed in this new roundtable from Royce Investment Partners.
It’s a quirk in the booming world of passive investing: Famed tech fund QQQ is the most profitable offering in the $11.7 trillion ETF industry, but Invesco Ltd. earns virtually nothing from running it. Now the asset manager is asking shareholders to change that.
Last week, Nvidia—whose processors are a key driver of the AI wave—became the world’s first publicly traded company to hit $4 trillion in market value.
The second quarter featured a trade war, armed conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, and continued turmoil in Washington, yet markets continued to rally, likely due to an elevated money supply and an increase in passive investing.
Contrary to popular belief, investors can use TradFi best practices to analyze on-chain KPIs of DeFi networks and the underlying fundamentals of the tokens that drive them.
The capital markets have become an increasingly complex space for investors, complexities that are heightened by the sheer number of ways one can invest.
With inflation proving to be sticky, sovereign debt burdens escalating, and trust in institutions coming under scrutiny, investors are reassessing the role that hard assets play in protecting and preserving long-term purchasing power.
Not sure which to choose? Here are some things to consider about individual bonds vs. bond funds.
Home values fell for a fourth straight month in June, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. However, after adjusting for inflation, real home values dropped for a 14th consecutive month, hitting their lowest level since April 2021.
Builder confidence received a slight boost in July with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act but remained near its lowest level in over 2.5 years.
Swedish private equity group EQT AB reported better-than-expected underlying profit in the first half of 2025 as exit volumes jumped and all of its funds performed at or above plan.
U.S. trade policy movements are starting to resemble a soap opera. Following a series of threats, escalations and suspensions, President Trump has extended the tariff deadline to August 1.
June was a month of stabilization and subtle strength for preferreds.
Three themes are worth emphasizing as we reach the midpoint of 2025: tariffs, interest rates, and global diversification. We emphasize these themes even amid recent heightened geopolitical tensions.
Global equity markets swung from steep losses to fresh highs during the quarter. In early April, President Trump imposed a baseline 10% tariff and reciprocal tariffs of up to 50% on dozens of trading partners, only to suspend most reciprocal tariffs for 90 days amid market panic.
Investors may be happy to shift some of their focus away from the ongoing tariff saga and back toward economic data and earnings reports.
Your technology matters. Your processes matter. But your team determines whether you scale or stagnate. Your people will make or break your growth story; choose wisely.
Chief executive officers in the US and beyond are becoming accustomed to the policy swings of President Donald Trump and are deciding they can pursue growth ambitions regardless.
For many years, the pension plan has often been a drag on a corporation’s financial positions. Now that’s generally no longer the case, and it’s time to consider what’s next.
Everything that our team publishes has been through peer review. We candidly call out every opportunity we see to improve each other’s writing, from quibbling over word choices to challenging an essay’s entire premise.
High yield bonds have historically delivered attractive long-term returns, and since the Great Financial Crisis they have also become higher quality, as weaker borrowers have departed the sector for the private credit and leveraged loan markets.
A couple of years ago, I wrote about absolute versus relative returns. Given the latest market run, I am getting a lot of questions about chasing returns, and individuals comparing themselves to the S&P 500 index.
Emerging market (EM) countries are often generalized as all the same and driven by commodity prices. The reality can be very different. Here's what you should know about EM stocks now.
With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed into law on July 4, this note briefly discusses some of the implications for energy broadly and the energy infrastructure space.
This series has been updated to include the June release of the consumer price index as the deflator and the monthly employment update. The latest hypothetical real (inflation-adjusted) annual earnings are at $52,327, down 6.5% from over 50 years ago.
As 2025 progresses, investors and policymakers are navigating a highly complex economic landscape shaped by three powerful and interrelated forces: evolving trade policy, a cautious U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), and growing concerns over U.S. fiscal discipline.
Inflation affects everything from grocery bills to rent, making the Consumer Price Index (CPI) one of the most closely watched economic indicators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks this by categorizing spending into eight categories, each weighted by its relative importance.
Investors who overlook the potential of card reward programs may be missing out on benefits that can contribute to the abundant lifestyle they are looking to build.
JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s investment bankers eked out a surprise gain in the second quarter, signaling what may be the start of a dealmaking rebound after widespread hesitation tied to US tariff policies.
Inflation heated up for a second straight month in June. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the headline figure for the Consumer Price Index was at 2.7% year-over-year, up from 2.4% in May and higher than the expected 2.6% growth.
It is easy to invest when markets are rallying, but it can be tough for investors to stay in their seats when markets inevitably decline again.
As the second quarter earnings season kicks into gear, Wall Street analysts are forecasting modest earnings growth of 4.8% for companies in the S&P 500.
Every year around this time, we update our Periodic Table of Commodities Returns to reflect the performance of raw materials in the first six months. I’m biased, but few tools do a better job of providing a clear, interactive picture of the commodities landscape than ours.
The right level of regulation requires careful calibration.
We suspect that for many of our clients, converting to a Roth will make sense, either today or in the near future. We hope this note and our calculator will encourage many of you to give the conversion decision another look.
In this paper, we study the emotional benefits and time-saving value that paid professional financial advice provides to clients.
US mega caps are attractive as they’re likely to be boosted by the fiscal spending bill as well as a robust earnings outlook, according to Morgan Stanley strategists.
The money behind Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar empire is increasingly flowing in one direction: toward artificial intelligence.
Fixed income benchmarks have two fundamental flaws. First, their exposures prioritize the needs of borrowers rather than investors. Second, they tend to expose investors to the biggest risks at the worst times.
The resilient job market has supported stock gains, but Washington policy has been a primary market driver so far this year.
There’s a connection between our willingness to let the debt problem fester and investors throwing their money into a wildly overvalued stock market. In both cases, we’ve grown way too comfortable with uncertainty.
The second quarter’s rapid recovery from April’s market volatility reminds us how powerful a systematic rules-based approach to tax management can be.
ClearBridge Investments believes tariffs remain the key risk to corporate profits in the second half of the year and is less concerned about geopolitical events or the outlook for fiscal and monetary policy.
Uncertainty has not impaired overall economic performance.
Most of us are not prepared for the incredible degree of change Artificial Intelligence (AI), combined with automation, is bringing to society.
A full three months since President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements sparked panic in financial markets, macro developments have been benign. The passage of the Big Beautiful Bill has brought clarity on the fiscal outlook, but uncertainty on trade negotiations remains. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai explains what this means for investors going forward.
Advisor Perspectives had a strong mix of pieces in the top 10 articles for views on its leaderboard for the month of June.
I have been a pension nerd since I was 20 years old. So I have been hearing for literally decades that there is a simple, magical solution to all our retirement funding problems: Just take more risk! When the investments pay off, the coffers will be replenished and all will be well.
Young Americans are having trouble becoming fully independent adults. Millennials, who were long ridiculed for being boomerang kids who scurried back to mom and dad’s basement after leaving the security blanket of college, know a thing or two about that.
The valuation of small-cap stocks relative to large caps remains historically attractive, and small-cap recoveries in the past have resulted in meaningful periods of outperformance.
Compelling bond yields and diverging equity returns offer building blocks for effective strategies.
One of the more storied headlines this year has been President Trump’s disappointment with the Fed for not cutting rates. We should all know by now that the President cannot fire a Fed Chair simply because he/she is not lowering interest rates to their liking.
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, we reflect on the notably volatile trajectory of bond yields so far this year, considering the potential opportunity for tax-aware fixed income investors to harvest losses.
Franklin Mutual Series shares its mid-year outlook, focusing on corporate fundamentals as a catalyst to unlock value in the midst of ongoing market volatility.
As we head into the second half of the year, expect record stock buyback activity for companies in the S&P 500.
The Treasury market rallied after an auction of 10-year notes drew strong demand, easing concerns that investors will balk at financing swelling US deficits.
Liberation Day seems like a lifetime ago. But the 90-day pause is almost over, and—thus far—there are few deals that have been consummated.
We expect tariff policy to remain a key part of the narrative pushed by the administration.
In this month’s issue, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity explains how markets in many regions are weathering US policy uncertainty and offers an upbeat assessment of Vietnam after a recent research visit.
In this article, you’ll learn how to evaluate crypto ETFs with the same rigor you apply to traditional investment products.
Advisors who rely solely on instinct or inertia will get left behind, because having a real business plan is a powerful differentiator. But any plan is only as strong as its execution.
ClearBridge Investments believes positive forces from One Big Beautiful Bill Act passage and future interest rate cuts should soon outweigh negative forces of tariff actions.
If you're thinking about adding subscription services to your financial planning practice, you're not alone. More advisors are moving beyond the traditional AUM model to offer monthly subscription plans, and for good reason.
Wall Street’s latest tax dodge doesn’t hide in the Cayman Islands or rely on complex derivatives.
Wall Street’s latest tax dodge doesn’t hide in the Cayman Islands or rely on complex derivatives. It’s engineered to turn a publicly traded fund into a tax-minimizing machine that hums quietly on autopilot.
Opinions of the One Big Beautiful Bill tend toward the extreme. One of its main authors calls it “the greatest piece of Republican legislation in a generation,” while one of its most authoritative critics says it makes him ashamed to be an American.
How the Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Fund’s strategy helped it achieve outperformance during a historic period for global markets.
The headline employment figure came in stronger than expected and better than feared following the weak ADP report, but the details were far from a blockbuster.
In the latest Alternative Allocations, with guest Brian Ullsperger from Andersen, Tony Davidow examines the traditional 60/40 portfolio and how it can be expanded to include alternatives to meet clients’ needs.
If you’ve been following the mainstream financial media lately, you might think the airline industry is in crisis. From headlines about tariffs and labor costs to geopolitical tensions and delays at Newark Airport, it sounds like air travel should be tanking.
We upgrade equities to neutral from underweight as falling interest rates and improving economic conditions in emerging markets offset uncertainty over US tariff policies.
Asian countries including Japan and South Korea said they’ll keep pushing for a better deal for their exports to the US after President Donald Trump shifted his tariff deadline to Aug. 1 and tweaked the rates he’s set for many economies.
US equities were steady at the open on Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s latest tariff warnings left room for hope that he was still open to negotiations.
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index held steady in June, inching down 0.2 points to 98.6.
It was a positive quarter for emerging markets equities.
The earnings bar is fairly low for the second quarter, setting companies up for a potential easy jump—but there will likely be more focus on forward guidance.
As the second half gets underway, we think a modest overweight to risk assets is called for.
This year, so far, the world has been riddled with geopolitical news, resonating in widespread unrest, yet seemingly yielding less impact on financial markets.
In the immediate aftermath of Friday’s much anticipated Employment Report it seemed like the judgement from analysts, talking heads, and even markets was unanimous (or nearly so) that there was good news to celebrate.
Investors attempting to manage volatility in their portfolio often employ defensive equity strategies to define their optimal market exposure and risk profile. Such strategies are designed to help limit losses on the downside, while also allowing investors to participate in the market’s gains.
In part 2 of this series, this article looks past the data center operators and focuses on the natural gas pipelines and the manufacturers of natural gas power plant equipment.
In last week’s letter, I referenced Torsten Sløk’s excellent midyear outlook for Apollo Global Management. Today I’ll share some longer quotes which will, I hope, help you visualize where the economy is headed.
President Donald Trump plans to announce trade deals and deliver tariff warnings on Monday, as countries negotiated through the weekend to avoid the highest punitive measures on their exports to the US before a Wednesday deadline.
Tariffs have been the dominant theme in economic policy this year. While President Trump has long held protectionist views, his administration’s approach to international commerce has been more belligerent than was seen in his first term.
This quarter might best be described as the “Big Beautiful Bounce”. Or the BBB. History has proven time and time again that markets do come back – but this was a historically quick market turnaround.
After a tumultuous few months, June of 2025 saw a strong rally which took global markets to (or close to) new highs. The rally was broad-based, with international and U.S. markets all up strongly.
As the global economy navigates a complex landscape, investors are left wondering: are they right to be optimistic or are they being complacent? This article from Franklin Templeton Institute explores the signs of resilience as well as numerous risks.
The Senate has approved its own version of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" tax-and-spending plan. Here's how it differs from the version the House passed in May, and what's next.
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) released its June Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), with the headline composite index at 50.8. This was consistent with the forecast and moves the index back into expansion territory after one month of contraction.
Tax Planning
Potential Fiscal Impact of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act'
The sweeping 900-page tax and spending law signed on July 4 introduces a wide array of provisions that touch nearly every American in one way or another.
US Small-Cap Forecast—More Volatility and Cautious Optimism
Current volatility and optimism are some of the topics being discussed in this new roundtable from Royce Investment Partners.
Invesco Aims to Unlock Hundreds of Millions in Profit From QQQ
It’s a quirk in the booming world of passive investing: Famed tech fund QQQ is the most profitable offering in the $11.7 trillion ETF industry, but Invesco Ltd. earns virtually nothing from running it. Now the asset manager is asking shareholders to change that.
Beyond Nvidia: Are You Overlooking An AI Opportunity?
Last week, Nvidia—whose processors are a key driver of the AI wave—became the world’s first publicly traded company to hit $4 trillion in market value.
Third Quarter Strategic Income Outlook
The second quarter featured a trade war, armed conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, and continued turmoil in Washington, yet markets continued to rally, likely due to an elevated money supply and an increase in passive investing.
Revolution—Not Evolution: The Crypto Dilemma
Contrary to popular belief, investors can use TradFi best practices to analyze on-chain KPIs of DeFi networks and the underlying fundamentals of the tokens that drive them.
Direct Indexing: An Innovative and Customizable Capital Markets Strategy
The capital markets have become an increasingly complex space for investors, complexities that are heightened by the sheer number of ways one can invest.
Bitcoin and Gold: Three Model Forecasts for 2030 and Beyond
With inflation proving to be sticky, sovereign debt burdens escalating, and trust in institutions coming under scrutiny, investors are reassessing the role that hard assets play in protecting and preserving long-term purchasing power.
Bonds vs. Bond Funds: Which Is Right for You?
Not sure which to choose? Here are some things to consider about individual bonds vs. bond funds.
Zillow Home Value Index: "Real" Home Values at Lowest Level Since April 2021
Home values fell for a fourth straight month in June, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. However, after adjusting for inflation, real home values dropped for a 14th consecutive month, hitting their lowest level since April 2021.
NAHB Housing Market Index: Builder Confidence Receives Slight Boost
Builder confidence received a slight boost in July with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act but remained near its lowest level in over 2.5 years.
EQT Underlying Profit Surges as Exits Climb to €13 Billion
Swedish private equity group EQT AB reported better-than-expected underlying profit in the first half of 2025 as exit volumes jumped and all of its funds performed at or above plan.
Trade War: New Countdown Begins
U.S. trade policy movements are starting to resemble a soap opera. Following a series of threats, escalations and suspensions, President Trump has extended the tariff deadline to August 1.
Capital Relief and Lower Bond Yields Support Preferreds in June
June was a month of stabilization and subtle strength for preferreds.
Stretched Dollar, Equities Boost Diversification Case
Three themes are worth emphasizing as we reach the midpoint of 2025: tariffs, interest rates, and global diversification. We emphasize these themes even amid recent heightened geopolitical tensions.
Q2 2025 Commentary and Market Outlook International and Global Growth Equities
Global equity markets swung from steep losses to fresh highs during the quarter. In early April, President Trump imposed a baseline 10% tariff and reciprocal tariffs of up to 50% on dozens of trading partners, only to suspend most reciprocal tariffs for 90 days amid market panic.
Inflation Week on Wall Street Comes as Tariff Risk Re-Emerges
Investors may be happy to shift some of their focus away from the ongoing tariff saga and back toward economic data and earnings reports.
Talent Is the Tipping Point: Why the Right Team Makes or Breaks RIA Growth
Your technology matters. Your processes matter. But your team determines whether you scale or stagnate. Your people will make or break your growth story; choose wisely.
JPMorgan and Citi Clients Are Getting Comfortable With Chaos
Chief executive officers in the US and beyond are becoming accustomed to the policy swings of President Donald Trump and are deciding they can pursue growth ambitions regardless.
Midyear Liability-Driven Investing Outlook: What’s Next for Corporate Pensions?
For many years, the pension plan has often been a drag on a corporation’s financial positions. Now that’s generally no longer the case, and it’s time to consider what’s next.
AI Is Powering Productivity
Everything that our team publishes has been through peer review. We candidly call out every opportunity we see to improve each other’s writing, from quibbling over word choices to challenging an essay’s entire premise.
Higher Quality High Yield: Addition by Subtraction
High yield bonds have historically delivered attractive long-term returns, and since the Great Financial Crisis they have also become higher quality, as weaker borrowers have departed the sector for the private credit and leveraged loan markets.
Relative Returns Or Absolute. What’s More Important?
A couple of years ago, I wrote about absolute versus relative returns. Given the latest market run, I am getting a lot of questions about chasing returns, and individuals comparing themselves to the S&P 500 index.
Benefits of Emerging Markets Diversification
Emerging market (EM) countries are often generalized as all the same and driven by commodity prices. The reality can be very different. Here's what you should know about EM stocks now.
One Big Beautiful Bill and MLP/Midstream Implications
With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed into law on July 4, this note briefly discusses some of the implications for energy broadly and the energy infrastructure space.
Real Middle Class Wages as of June 2025
This series has been updated to include the June release of the consumer price index as the deflator and the monthly employment update. The latest hypothetical real (inflation-adjusted) annual earnings are at $52,327, down 6.5% from over 50 years ago.
Economic Crosscurrents in 2025: Inflation, Interest Rates, and Investment Strategy
As 2025 progresses, investors and policymakers are navigating a highly complex economic landscape shaped by three powerful and interrelated forces: evolving trade policy, a cautious U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), and growing concerns over U.S. fiscal discipline.
Inside the Consumer Price Index: June 2025
Inflation affects everything from grocery bills to rent, making the Consumer Price Index (CPI) one of the most closely watched economic indicators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks this by categorizing spending into eight categories, each weighted by its relative importance.
How to Get and Maximize 12 Amex Business Gold Cards
Investors who overlook the potential of card reward programs may be missing out on benefits that can contribute to the abundant lifestyle they are looking to build.
JPMorgan’s Surprise Dealmaking Gain Shows Tariff Fear Easing
JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s investment bankers eked out a surprise gain in the second quarter, signaling what may be the start of a dealmaking rebound after widespread hesitation tied to US tariff policies.
Consumer Price Index: Inflation Rises to 2.7% in June, Higher Than Expected
Inflation heated up for a second straight month in June. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the headline figure for the Consumer Price Index was at 2.7% year-over-year, up from 2.4% in May and higher than the expected 2.6% growth.
2025 Mid-Year Outlook: Stay Invested
It is easy to invest when markets are rallying, but it can be tough for investors to stay in their seats when markets inevitably decline again.
Q2 2025 Earnings Preview: Modest Growth Expected Amidst Economic Crosswinds
As the second quarter earnings season kicks into gear, Wall Street analysts are forecasting modest earnings growth of 4.8% for companies in the S&P 500.
Precious Metals Crushed Their Commodities Peers in the First Half of 2025
Every year around this time, we update our Periodic Table of Commodities Returns to reflect the performance of raw materials in the first six months. I’m biased, but few tools do a better job of providing a clear, interactive picture of the commodities landscape than ours.
Rethinking Bank Regulation
The right level of regulation requires careful calibration.
Size Matters in the Roth IRA Conversion Decision
We suspect that for many of our clients, converting to a Roth will make sense, either today or in the near future. We hope this note and our calculator will encourage many of you to give the conversion decision another look.
The Emotional and Time Value of Advice
In this paper, we study the emotional benefits and time-saving value that paid professional financial advice provides to clients.
Morgan Stanley Says Tax Cuts and Earnings to Boost US Mega Caps
US mega caps are attractive as they’re likely to be boosted by the fiscal spending bill as well as a robust earnings outlook, according to Morgan Stanley strategists.
Elon Musk Turns to Tesla and SpaceX to Fuel His AI Ambitions
The money behind Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar empire is increasingly flowing in one direction: toward artificial intelligence.
Are You Buying What They Selling? We’re Not—Here’s Why.
Fixed income benchmarks have two fundamental flaws. First, their exposures prioritize the needs of borrowers rather than investors. Second, they tend to expose investors to the biggest risks at the worst times.
On Firmer Ground?
The resilient job market has supported stock gains, but Washington policy has been a primary market driver so far this year.
Uncertain Moments
There’s a connection between our willingness to let the debt problem fester and investors throwing their money into a wildly overvalued stock market. In both cases, we’ve grown way too comfortable with uncertainty.
Tax Loss Harvesting Through the Volatile First Half of 2025
The second quarter’s rapid recovery from April’s market volatility reminds us how powerful a systematic rules-based approach to tax management can be.
US Equity Midyear Outlook: Looking Toward 2026 for Upside
ClearBridge Investments believes tariffs remain the key risk to corporate profits in the second half of the year and is less concerned about geopolitical events or the outlook for fiscal and monetary policy.
Neither Here Nor There
Uncertainty has not impaired overall economic performance.
AI and Automation – Are You Ready?
Most of us are not prepared for the incredible degree of change Artificial Intelligence (AI), combined with automation, is bringing to society.
Stop Me if You Think You’ve Heard This One Before
A full three months since President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements sparked panic in financial markets, macro developments have been benign. The passage of the Big Beautiful Bill has brought clarity on the fiscal outlook, but uncertainty on trade negotiations remains. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai explains what this means for investors going forward.
Advisor Perspectives’ Top Articles in June Feature Everything From Buffett to Stablecoins
Advisor Perspectives had a strong mix of pieces in the top 10 articles for views on its leaderboard for the month of June.
Social Security Needs More Than Risky Wagers
I have been a pension nerd since I was 20 years old. So I have been hearing for literally decades that there is a simple, magical solution to all our retirement funding problems: Just take more risk! When the investments pay off, the coffers will be replenished and all will be well.
Are Parents Ready to Keep the Bank of Mom and Dad Open?
Young Americans are having trouble becoming fully independent adults. Millennials, who were long ridiculed for being boomerang kids who scurried back to mom and dad’s basement after leaving the security blanket of college, know a thing or two about that.
Are Small Caps Next in Line to Shine?
The valuation of small-cap stocks relative to large caps remains historically attractive, and small-cap recoveries in the past have resulted in meaningful periods of outperformance.
Multi-Asset Income Midyear Outlook: Income and Resilience Among the Bumps
Compelling bond yields and diverging equity returns offer building blocks for effective strategies.
No Rate Cut for You…At Least Not Yet
One of the more storied headlines this year has been President Trump’s disappointment with the Fed for not cutting rates. We should all know by now that the President cannot fire a Fed Chair simply because he/she is not lowering interest rates to their liking.
Active Tax Loss Harvesting in Fixed Income: Checking In at Midyear
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, we reflect on the notably volatile trajectory of bond yields so far this year, considering the potential opportunity for tax-aware fixed income investors to harvest losses.
Fundamentals Are a Lighthouse in the Storm
Franklin Mutual Series shares its mid-year outlook, focusing on corporate fundamentals as a catalyst to unlock value in the midst of ongoing market volatility.
Buybacks Reach Record Highs as Q2 Earnings Season Approaches
As we head into the second half of the year, expect record stock buyback activity for companies in the S&P 500.
US Treasuries Jump as Strong Auction Calms Investor Jitters
The Treasury market rallied after an auction of 10-year notes drew strong demand, easing concerns that investors will balk at financing swelling US deficits.
At the Midway Point: Returning to the Fundamentals
Liberation Day seems like a lifetime ago. But the 90-day pause is almost over, and—thus far—there are few deals that have been consummated.
Midyear Commodity Outlook: Better for Commodities than Consumers
We expect tariff policy to remain a key part of the narrative pushed by the administration.
Emerging Markets Insights: Seeking Clarity on Tariffs
In this month’s issue, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity explains how markets in many regions are weathering US policy uncertainty and offers an upbeat assessment of Vietnam after a recent research visit.
How to Choose a Crypto ETF: A Practical Guide for Financial Advisors
In this article, you’ll learn how to evaluate crypto ETFs with the same rigor you apply to traditional investment products.
The Building Blocks of a Scalable Business Plan: How Intention Helps to Drive Growth
Advisors who rely solely on instinct or inertia will get left behind, because having a real business plan is a powerful differentiator. But any plan is only as strong as its execution.
The Long View: Push-pull
ClearBridge Investments believes positive forces from One Big Beautiful Bill Act passage and future interest rate cuts should soon outweigh negative forces of tariff actions.
Breaking Down the Regulatory Requirements for Subscription Services
If you're thinking about adding subscription services to your financial planning practice, you're not alone. More advisors are moving beyond the traditional AUM model to offer monthly subscription plans, and for good reason.
Wall Street Builds S&P 500 ‘No Dividend’ Fund in New Tax Dodge
Wall Street’s latest tax dodge doesn’t hide in the Cayman Islands or rely on complex derivatives.
Wall Street Builds S&P 500 ‘No Dividend’ Fund in New Tax Dodge
Wall Street’s latest tax dodge doesn’t hide in the Cayman Islands or rely on complex derivatives. It’s engineered to turn a publicly traded fund into a tax-minimizing machine that hums quietly on autopilot.
Megabills Didn’t Break the Economy Before and Won’t Now
Opinions of the One Big Beautiful Bill tend toward the extreme. One of its main authors calls it “the greatest piece of Republican legislation in a generation,” while one of its most authoritative critics says it makes him ashamed to be an American.
Outperformance in Extraordinary Times
How the Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Fund’s strategy helped it achieve outperformance during a historic period for global markets.
Jobs Report Better Than Feared
The headline employment figure came in stronger than expected and better than feared following the weak ADP report, but the details were far from a blockbuster.
Examining the 60/40 Portfolio With Brian Ullsperger
In the latest Alternative Allocations, with guest Brian Ullsperger from Andersen, Tony Davidow examines the traditional 60/40 portfolio and how it can be expanded to include alternatives to meet clients’ needs.
Wall Street Is Wrong on Airlines: Americans Are Flying Like Never Before
If you’ve been following the mainstream financial media lately, you might think the airline industry is in crisis. From headlines about tariffs and labor costs to geopolitical tensions and delays at Newark Airport, it sounds like air travel should be tanking.
Equities Enter Slightly Calmer Waters
We upgrade equities to neutral from underweight as falling interest rates and improving economic conditions in emerging markets offset uncertainty over US tariff policies.
Asian Economies in Rush to Cut Tariff Deals as US Deadline Moves
Asian countries including Japan and South Korea said they’ll keep pushing for a better deal for their exports to the US after President Donald Trump shifted his tariff deadline to Aug. 1 and tweaked the rates he’s set for many economies.
Stocks Hold Steady on Hope Trade Talks Have Room for Negotiation
US equities were steady at the open on Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s latest tariff warnings left room for hope that he was still open to negotiations.
NFIB Small Business Survey: Optimism Remains Steady While Uncertainty Falls
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index held steady in June, inching down 0.2 points to 98.6.
A Solid Quarter Signals Promising Potential
It was a positive quarter for emerging markets equities.
2Q Earnings: The Beat Goes On?
The earnings bar is fairly low for the second quarter, setting companies up for a potential easy jump—but there will likely be more focus on forward guidance.
Multi-Asset Midyear Outlook: Selectivity Matters
As the second half gets underway, we think a modest overweight to risk assets is called for.
Fixed Income In Focus: 2025 Mid-Year Recap
This year, so far, the world has been riddled with geopolitical news, resonating in widespread unrest, yet seemingly yielding less impact on financial markets.
Not So Hot
In the immediate aftermath of Friday’s much anticipated Employment Report it seemed like the judgement from analysts, talking heads, and even markets was unanimous (or nearly so) that there was good news to celebrate.
A Dynamic Approach to Defensive Equity
Investors attempting to manage volatility in their portfolio often employ defensive equity strategies to define their optimal market exposure and risk profile. Such strategies are designed to help limit losses on the downside, while also allowing investors to participate in the market’s gains.
Behind the Meter Solutions Investing Guide
In part 2 of this series, this article looks past the data center operators and focuses on the natural gas pipelines and the manufacturers of natural gas power plant equipment.
At The Crossroads
In last week’s letter, I referenced Torsten Sløk’s excellent midyear outlook for Apollo Global Management. Today I’ll share some longer quotes which will, I hope, help you visualize where the economy is headed.
Trump Sets Aug. 1 Start for Tariffs Ahead of Wednesday Deadline
President Donald Trump plans to announce trade deals and deliver tariff warnings on Monday, as countries negotiated through the weekend to avoid the highest punitive measures on their exports to the US before a Wednesday deadline.
Mid-Year Themes
Tariffs have been the dominant theme in economic policy this year. While President Trump has long held protectionist views, his administration’s approach to international commerce has been more belligerent than was seen in his first term.
Growth Equity Portfolio Second Quarter Review June 30, 2025
This quarter might best be described as the “Big Beautiful Bounce”. Or the BBB. History has proven time and time again that markets do come back – but this was a historically quick market turnaround.
Quantstreet July 2025 Letter: Geopolitics and Markets
After a tumultuous few months, June of 2025 saw a strong rally which took global markets to (or close to) new highs. The rally was broad-based, with international and U.S. markets all up strongly.
Quick Thoughts: The Global Reset
As the global economy navigates a complex landscape, investors are left wondering: are they right to be optimistic or are they being complacent? This article from Franklin Templeton Institute explores the signs of resilience as well as numerous risks.
Senate Approves Revised Tax and Spending Bill
The Senate has approved its own version of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" tax-and-spending plan. Here's how it differs from the version the House passed in May, and what's next.
ISM Services PMI Returns to Expansion Territory in June
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) released its June Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), with the headline composite index at 50.8. This was consistent with the forecast and moves the index back into expansion territory after one month of contraction.