Trending
1. The Cycle Persists Through Geopolitical Disruption
The US economy entered the year in a mid-cycle expansion supported by fiscal tailwinds, easing monetary policy, and a capital-spending boom driven by artificial intelligence. The war in Iran and its effects on energy markets have introduced competing forces: higher commodity prices squeezing real incomes, tighter financial conditions, and renewed uncertainty over supply chains. The central question for investors is whether this shock is large enough to end the expansion or is a disruption that the cycle can absorb. We believe it is the latter. Growth may slow but not contract, the labor market is softening but not breaking, headline inflation is rising but core remains contained, and capital spending continues. — John Hillenbrand
2. AI Is Driving Big Tech Growth. Here’s the Bigger Investor Test
Cloud growth is speeding up, AI demand is rising, and investment remains high. We analyse the latest results from Big Tech's leaders. The latest earnings from Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta are the clearest proof yet that artificial intelligence (AI) is having a material, positive impact on these businesses. Demand is translating into faster cloud growth, stronger existing products and, in some cases, meaningful margin improvements. — Matt Britzman
3. When Consumer Confidence Crashes, Stocks Have Historically Rallied
When Americans are pessimistic about the economy, markets have historically rewarded those who stayed invested. After the 11 deepest sentiment troughs, the S&P 500 averaged a gain of 19.7% over the next 12 months. That’s nearly 10x the average gain of 2.1% that has followed peaks in sentiment. Historically, fear has been a setup for markets, not a stopping point. — Lincoln Financial
4. AI Spending Is Exploding. Here’s Why the ROI Numbers Are Misleading
"Where's the return on investment?" That’s the #1 question investors are asking of the big artificial intelligence (AI) spenders right now. Big tech companies are on track to spend roughly $750 billion this year on AI infrastructure… while they’re expected to rake in $175 billion in AI revenues. That leaves a $575 billion gap. — Stephen McBride
5. This Japan ETF Just Ranked #1. Here’s What’s Driving Its Success
Japan's structural tailwinds including corporate reform, an end to deflation, AI and defense investment and rising equity ownership continue to support the OPPJ's long-term investment thesis. Ranking first in a category is the kind of result that speaks for itself. Over the one-year period ended June 30, 2026, the WisdomTree Japan Opportunities Fund (OPPJ) ranked #1 in the Morningstar Japan Stock category. — Christopher Gannatti
6. The Fee Increase That Added $420,000 (Without Losing a Single Client)
One of the hardest conversations many financial advisors avoid isn't about investments or markets—it's about their own fees. If you've ever looked at your client list and realized your fee schedule has evolved over the years into something inconsistent, you're not alone. In this very candid conversation, Libby sits down with advisor Todd Lester to discuss how he tackled a firm-wide fee increase after more than 30 years in the business. Todd shares the mindset shifts, compliance considerations, communication strategies, and surprising results that came from finally aligning his fees with the value his firm provides. — Libby Greiwe
7. The Beliefs Keeping You From High-Net-Worth Clients
The most expensive ceiling in your business is the one you defend as reality. It sounds like experience. It feels like wisdom. But very often, it is fear wearing a suit. An advisor says affluent clients are arrogant. Another says they are impossible to reach. Someone else insists they already have all the professional relationships they need. — Dave Lorenzo
8. The Advisor Talent Crisis Nobody Is Talking About
As the financial advisory industry faces a significant generational shift, it’s crucial to understand the evolving landscape and how firms can adapt. With a staggering 50% of Certified Financial Planners (CFPs) over the age of 50 and predictions indicating a shortage of up to 110,000 advisors by 2034, the industry stands at a pivotal moment. — Joseph Lukacs
9. 17 Rules the Best Financial Advisors Never Break
You’re in a coaching session. The kind where real clarity shows up. You’ve been grinding, showing up, but deep down, you’re wondering: “What do the best advisors know that I don’t?” Your coach smiles, pauses to look through his briefcase, picks out and slides a sheet across the table. On it are 17 simple, powerful truths. Not opinions. Not theories. Just the rules that never change—no matter your country, city, firm, or market cycle. “These are the 17 rules,” he says. “Ignore them and you’ll stay stuck. Live by them, and you won’t look back, except fondly at this moment.” You pick up the sheet and begin reading. And this is what it says. — Jeff Thorsteinson
10. The One Signal Behind Every 20% Market Decline in 151 Years
“Earnings drive market outcomes. In 151 years, every single 20% market decline was accompanied by a double-digit earnings decline, with zero exceptions.” Every few months, a new reason to sell arrives. Capital spending is too high. The deficit is unsustainable. Oil just broke out. The conclusion attached to each is always the same: investors are about to lose half their money. I’ve watched that warning recycle for three decades, and it’s a smoke detector that goes off every time somebody makes toast. What actually matters is far less exciting. Earnings drive market corrections, and the historical record on that is close to airtight. A probability tree from BCA Research has been circulating that makes the point simply. It shows the S&P 500 rising 84% of the time overall, and only 64% of the time in years when earnings fall. The framing is right. The specific numbers, when I rebuilt them from scratch, turned out to be a good deal more interesting than the chart suggested. — Lance Roberts
11. Six Ways Advisors Can Build More Tax-Efficient Portfolios
As investors place greater emphasis on after-tax returns, tax-smart portfolio management has become a key differentiator for advisory firms. At the same time, market volatility, changing interest rates and evolving wealth transfer needs are increasing demand for more personalized advice. While 91% of advisor practices now use trading and rebalancing technology to improve efficiency and scale their services, only 39% report being very satisfied with their current solution. For many firms, the challenge is ensuring their technology can support increasingly sophisticated tax-management strategies and help deliver better client outcomes. Here are six ways advisors can align their technology and processes with clients' tax goals while improving operational efficiencies and supporting growth. — Jennifer Valdez