Most Read Advisorpedia Articles of the Week: May 8-12

Here’s a look at the Top 11 Most Viewed Articles of the Week on Advisorpedia , May 8-12, 2017

Click the headline to read the full article. Enjoy!

1. 5 Reasons Why Outsourced Providers Are Black Listed by Custodians

Compliance is not the main reason outsourced providers are black listed or not offered by custodians and BDs. Here are a few of the main reasons ... — Jennifer Goldman

2. Market Cap ETFs May Not Be the Answer

Market cap-weighted ETFs have dominated the investment landscape over the last 20 years. But in today’s unpredictable market environment, investors are increasingly turning away from traditional passively-managed ETFs and toward a more diversified approach in the quest for better beta. J.P. Morgan Asset Management

3. Advisors Are Slow to Adopt Advances in Technology

Advisorpedia caught up with David Lyon, the CEO of Oranj, at the recent Morningstar Conference to discuss if financial services is keeping up with the rest of the world in terms of technology. — Douglas Heikkinen

4. For Commodities Exposure, It's CPEs to the Rescue

With equity markets at historical highs, many investors are seeking greater diversification—without sacrificing performance. Commodities as a whole offer that desired diversification, but performance typically suffers when commodities exposure is obtained through futures. In contrast, CPEs offer diversification. — Salvatore Bruno

5. Why Ignorance Is Bliss … and Productive

How often do you tell your clients to turn off the news? To not get caught up in the headlies? To stop watching CNBC? Maybe you need to take a page from your own playbook ... — Paul Kingsman

6. Is Robo Advice Better Than No Advice?

The proliferation of Robo-Advisors bringing low priced financial services out into the market has received significant buzz over the past few years. As is customary with all new things, one must ask questions before buying into it. As a Certified Financial Planner, my question is: Does Robo Advice have true value to the average consumer? My answer: A definitive “maybe.” — Michael Kay

7. The 5 Best Niches for Financial Advisors

The riches are in the niches. Ignore this advice at your own peril. Top financial advisors are finding riches every day by targeting certain niche markets. If you are an advisor who tries to please everyone, you’ll end up pleasing no one. — James Pollard

8. 10 Hard Skills to Learn That Will Last a Lifetime

Positive thinkers are not optimists. Positive thinkers believe they will prevail in their circumstances rather than believing their circumstances will change; optimists believe their circumstances will eventually change for the better. — LaRae Quy

9. 270 Days to a Better Practice; Better Clients, More Fun, More Time and More Money

In order to get to the point where you enjoy better clients, more fun, more, money, more time, and essentially a better practice, you have to put in the time necessary. Taking shortcuts and not establishing the foundation for good marketing will just hurt you in the long run. — Kirk Lowe and Matthew Halloran

10. The Inability to Objectively Look at Data Can Be Fatal

Think about all the people that you encounter in everyday life. Most of these folks have sharply honed beliefs about many issues ranging from politics to religion and everything in between. — James E. Wilson

11. Josh Bledsoe: Owning That Small Town Vibe

Growing up in small town America in Washington, Missouri, a city less than 10 square miles with a population hovering around 10,000, Josh Bledsoe came from humble beginnings. — Elizabeth McCourt