1. 4 Questions Every Advisor Should Review With Their Clients
Not surprisingly, the four questions they identified as top of mind are unknowable and unpredictable. This is the crux. Almost all questions and concerns that harrow investors’ minds don’t have an answer. We can opine and prognosticate all we want (as market pundits do), but all that will do is feed the illusion of certainty. There is no point worrying about things that don’t have a definite answer. It is best that investors ask themselves more productive questions – questions that have answers that are knowable and in their control. — Jay Mooreland
2. Understanding Why Clients Stick With Advisors
Experienced advisors know that client acquisition and client retention are different ballgames. Some are apt to think the former is tougher, but in reality, client retention isn’t necessarily easy and it’s arguably more important. — Todd Shriber
3. Winning Over the Children of Wealthy Clients
As evidenced by the great wealth transfer of $30 trillion currently underway from the baby boomers to the next generations, wealth is generational, with far-reaching impacts beyond any one client. For financial advisors, it could be an unprecedented opportunity to grow assets or the greatest threat to their survival. — Don Connelly
4. Topsy-Turvy Markets? Steady, Consistent Protection May Be Your Missing Asset Class
Stocks, bonds and cash — they've long been the classic building blocks of asset allocation. But with historic shocks to the bond market — and intertwined long-term implications for stocks — even the savviest wealth managers are concerned about the forecast for these portfolio stalwarts. — Stephen Turer
5. How Might Geopolitical Risks Impact Markets in 2024?
Geopolitical risks have played a big role in markets over the past several years, and 2024 is expected to be no different. Over 40% of the world’s population is eligible to vote in their national elections this year, which began with the general election in Taiwan in mid-January and will conclude with the U.S. presidential election in November. Moreover, the continued war in Eastern Europe and the developing conflict in the Middle East may have investors uneasy about putting capital to work. — Jordan Jackson
6. Gently Create Some Urgency for Referrals
Chances are you’re going to be speaking with clients early in the year. They may be calling you about questions from last year or upcoming tax matters, wanting to get a jump on that. You’re going to be reaching out to connect with a number of your clients, and it’s a perfect opportunity to convey to them you had a phenomenal year last year. — Paul Kingsman
7. Are You Brave Enough To Bet Against Wall Street ... Again
Optimism is contagious. And in a world dominated by doom and gloom, it’s more important than ever to spread it. Being a prudent optimist is also the best way to become a successful investor. I’ll elaborate on this in another essay soon. We have LOTS of market stuff to talk about. — Stephen McBride
8. Unemployment Claims May Not Be as Low as You Think
Last week’s initial unemployment claims were 187,000. Since 1967, there have only been 21 weekly instances of a total of 2,976 times in which unemployment claims were lower than the current reading. The low number of unemployment claims indicates a robust job market. Is it? In recent years, there is a new factor to consider. — Lance Roberts
9. How The 2024 Election Could Propel Defense Stocks To New Heights
In a note to investors this week, Piper Sandler’s head of U.S. policy research, Andy Laperriere, highlighted defense as a sector to watch should Trump or Haley win in November. In fact, Laperriere gives Haley higher marks than Trump when it comes to boosting defense spending, writing that the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador would be “more focused on winning substantive legislative victories in Congress than Trump.” — Frank Holmes
10. Freedom + Control: Fueling The Independent RIA Movement
Freedom, control, and economic advantages are the key reasons for the impressive growth of the independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) channel over the years. As the numbers keep rising, so do the number of business models and technologies that help advisors build a practice exactly as they imagined. If that’s what you’re looking for, this white paper explains it all from a top-down view. — Schwab Advisor Services
11. Investor Confidence Wavers After Volatile Start to Year
The latest weekly sentiment survey data from the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) released today shows a continued fading of investor bullishness, pulling back from levels that had been approaching extremes at the end of last year. The mixed start to the year for stocks, with the S&P 500 down almost 2% at one point from its recent high, has brought some bearish individual investors out of hibernation. The scaling back of rate cut expectations by the Federal Reserve (Fed), the related 20 basis points (0.2%) jump in the 10-year Treasury yield, and heightened geopolitical risks may also have contributed to increased investor caution. — George Smith