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1. AI Is Helping Advice Firms Cut Junior Roles. They Will Regret It
A dangerous idea is beginning to take hold in parts of the financial advice industry. The idea is that because AI can increasingly perform work once handled by junior employees, fewer junior employees are needed. It sounds commercially rational. But, I believe, it’s also profoundly short-sighted. Across financial services, AI is transforming research, report writing, client communications, data analysis and administrative functions. Tasks that once consumed hours can now be completed in minutes. — Nigel Green
2. 85% of Success Comes Down to This One Skill
Most people spend years building their expertise. They earn degrees, accumulate experience, and sharpen their technical skills. And while all of that matters, research suggests it may not be the biggest driver of success. That title belongs to communication. Studies show that 85% of success in life and business is tied to one thing: your ability to communicate effectively. Not your IQ. Not your resume. Not your credentials alone. The way you express yourself, connect with others, and show up in a room shapes nearly every opportunity that comes your way. — Maribeth Kuzmeski
3. The SpaceX Effect: Why the IPO Market Is Heating Up Again
The Orion Investment Team doesn’t normally opine on individual stocks, instead we focus on macro, market, and policy analysis; credit selection; investment strategy and manager due diligence, and asset allocation and portfolio construction. Yet these are not normal times, not with the coming initial public offering of Elon Musk’s SpaceX – expected to be the largest IPO ever – and so we’ve decided to take pen to paper on the SpaceX IPO and what it might mean for the markets. — Tim Holland
4. The Diversification Advantage Investors Counted On Is Changing
Historically, the negative correlation between stocks and bonds was a key structural support for balanced portfolios, working quietly in the background during periods of market stress. Since 2022, that correlation has been positive, peaking at +0.72 in late 2024. Whether this is a temporary regime or a more lasting shift remains to be seen, but it's worth asking whether portfolios have the diversification they appear to have on paper. — Lincoln Financial Group
5. Focus on Alternatives: Turning Market Complexity Into Better Client Outcomes
Conservative cash or cash-equivalent investments continue to struggle against stubborn inflation. The classic 60/40 equities-to-bonds strategy has faced headwinds in recent years as a persistent stock-bond correlation undermines its core diversification premise. — Calamos
6. Do You Have Enough “Decision Liquidity?”
Improving your retirement life by harnessing portfolio management principles. Jim was an investor client of mine in his 70s. He was tactically sophisticated and hyper-focused on his portfolio planning. At a number of points over the years, I tried to widen our conversations beyond finances to discuss the point of his accumulation efforts—what did he hope to gain from his gains? He showed little interest, even as he and his wife developed a variety of low-grade chronic conditions that signaled a need for lifestyle changes. After many attempts to engage Jim beyond the portfolio, I backed into a conceptual framework that helped him see a bigger picture—ironically, by applying portfolio management principles to managing his aging. — Tom West
7. My Problem With SpaceX
Twenty years ago, SpaceX was a startup that couldn’t keep its rockets from exploding. Today, it accounts for 86% of all US orbital launches. It built Starlink, the world’s largest satellite internet network, from scratch. And through its acquisition of xAI, it’s now one of the biggest artificial intelligence (AI) companies on the planet. This Friday, it goes public in what will be the largest IPO in history, with the goal of raising $75 billion at a $1.75 trillion valuation. Millions of investors will finally get their shot at owning a piece of it. — Stephen McBride
8. Why Take Clients to Lunch
Remember the three martini lunch? Probably not. Tax law changes phased out this 1960’s expense account perk. It still featured in episodes of Mad Men. Taking a client to lunch has many advantages. — Bryce Sanders
9. SpaceX Isn’t the Biggest IPO Story. Funding It Is.
The headlines surrounding the SpaceX IPO seem mainly focused on how high the stock will go. There is a more important question stemming from the SpaceX IPO and other large deals that few seem to be asking: where will the money come from? SpaceX is targeting a $1.75-$2.00 trillion valuation and a capital raise of up to $75 billion. Anthropic, OpenAI, and Stripe are expected to follow in the coming months, bringing the total 2026 IPO capital raise to approximately $160 billion. As we share below, that is larger than the last four years of IPO issuance combined. Before the pandemic, the US IPO market raised roughly $30 billion a year. — Michael Lebowitz
10. Why Today’s ‘Not Interested’ Prospect Could Be Tomorrow’s Best Client
When on a call or at a networking function, how often have you heard, "I already have an advisor."? It's bad enough to hear it from an ego perspective. It's worse when you believe this is a qualified prospect. It's tempting to drop prospects cold when things don't work out, but I encourage you to stay on their radar. It can pay dividends. We often assume it's a polite way to say, "Get lost. I am not a prospect." It makes sense: Everyone with money already has an advisor unless they are a DIY investor. Nevertheless, staying on a person's radar when you hear this is a good idea. Let's look at how you can tactfully keep your name top of mind with those who already have another advisor. — Jeff Thorsteinson
11. SpaceX IPO Mania Is Fueling a Rush Into This ETF—What Advisors Need to Know
Friday, June 12 is shaping up to be one of the most memorable summertime Fridays in recent market history because that’s the day on which Elon Musk’s SpaceX is slated to go public. As of this writing, the company, which will list on the Nasdaq under the ticker “SPCX,” is expected to raise $75 billion at a valuation of $1.75 trillion, making it the largest initial public offering (IPO) in history. — Todd Shriber