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.
When you have a significant underperformance period, investors have a good reason for wondering if you’ve lost your investing mojo.
Nominal retail sales in June were up 0.64% month-over-month and up 3.92% year-over-year. However, after adjusting for inflation, real retail sales were up 0.35% month-over-month and up 1.22% year-over-year.
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for June showed consumer spending was higher than expected, with headline sales rising 0.6%.
We have a truly inspiring corporate leader among the companies in our portfolio. We don’t believe the global equity markets have realized it yet.
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.
Each month, this column will focus on issues related to advisor transition. One of the most difficult ones is working with your team as you determine how, when, and where to transition your firm.
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.
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.
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.
Tokenization of real assets might make liquidity problems even more obvious. Making assets digital doesn't mean they'll be easier to sell or trade. It could just highlight how hard they really are to sell, and it won’t change the market demand either.
Banks are looking to sell $2.25 billion of term loans and $2 billion equivalent of bonds for Boots, to help finance its acquisition by US private equity firm Sycamore Partners, according to people familiar with the matter.
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.
In this article, you’ll learn how to evaluate crypto ETFs with the same rigor you apply to traditional investment products.
At the recent 2025 Morningstar Investment Conference, CEO Kunal Kapoor highlighted a growing trend that is reshaping the investment landscape.
The artificial intelligence investment landscape reached a critical inflection point in Q2 2025, with the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index (THNQ) delivering exceptional returns of 24.4%.
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.
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.
Most of us grew up in an era in which you simply had to figure things out on your own, but that’s no longer how it works in business today. The stakes are higher, the competition is fierce.
We upgrade equities to neutral from underweight as falling interest rates and improving economic conditions in emerging markets offset uncertainty over US tariff policies.
For those breaking into the financial industry, it’s an exciting time. The opportunity to achieve success and make an impact on an industry that could help people for years to come .
Private equity has officially conquered the registered investment advisor (RIA) landscape. It is now responsible for a significant portion of RIA-linked M&A activity.
Below, we recount highlights from constituents of the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index (ROBO) and the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index (THNQ).
Sharp U.S. policy shift and elevated uncertainty reflect an evolution of the new macro regime. What matters: getting a grip on uncertainty by identifying its core features.
Here's an interesting set of charts that will especially resonate with those of us who follow economic and market cycles. Imagine that five years ago you invested $10,000 in the S&P 500. How much would it be worth today, with dividends reinvested but adjusted for inflation?
Your firm's culture should reflect your values and your mission.
There are a number of considerations to put in place before you start any change effort, transition or project. These can help save endless hours of wasted time trying to undo things that didn’t work or going back to fix it again.
True fiduciary duty isn’t fulfilled by following the crowd. It’s fulfilled by doing the harder thing: making the right call even when it’s the unpopular one. The world doesn’t need more advisors playing not to lose. It needs more who are willing to lead — even if they walk alone.
A turf war is breaking out in the vast world of digital payments — and the incumbents are suddenly on defense.
Thematic investing has experienced cycles of popularity over time. In less cautious market environments, investors often turn their attention to ambitious ideas — such as disruptive technologies or other transformative future trends — looking beyond traditional equity ETFs.
Thematic ETFs are making a comeback, and one theme in particular dominates conversation. Artificial Intelligence remains top of mind for investors. TMX VettaFi’s Zeno Mercer and Todd Rosenbluth discussed the disruptive technology.
VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF (TOV) on this week’s “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.”
As tax policy discussions continue on Capitol Hill, the Senate Finance Committee recently released its version of the tax bill that would avoid the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
Target-date fund glide paths can be important tools for retirement planning. Advisors should focus on assumptions, transparency, and outcomes to ensure they align with participants' needs.
During our June 5th ROBO Global Webcast, we covered three key themes driving the robotics and AI investment landscape.
If you are considering merging or acquiring another practice, consider having each party answer some of the following questions to see where you both stand.
Whether you’re breaking away from a wirehouse and going independent for the first time or looking for a greater degree of balance, there are opportunities for advisors to truly manage their practice the way they choose.
The U.S. Dollar Index, when measured against a basket of other major currencies, has declined by approximately 10% this year through mid-June and is currently trading at its lowest level in three years.
Market concentration rewarded passive investors who held market weights in the surging mega-caps. Since late 2014, passive index returns ranked in the 10th percentile of all portfolios in eVestment’s US Large Cap Growth Equity universe. In other words, only 10% of active managers outperformed.
How big data, AI and the human element can combine to better pursue consistent alpha.
It's important to consider non-hardship 401(k) withdrawals carefully. Our Bill Cass explains why individuals should check plan eligibility and consider asset protection and tax implications.
When problems arise with colleagues at a firm, it's best to tread carefully and thoughtfully.
As communications become more dynamic and digital interactions more complex, static captures are increasingly out of step with the needs of modern compliance and the expectations of U.S. regulators.
In this article, we’ll explore how crypto index ETFs are structured, how they differ from single-asset products, and how financial professionals can incorporate them into diversified portfolios with clear goals around sizing, suitability, and risk management.
The question isn’t whether robots will transform global labor markets. It’s how quickly the transformation will unfold. This transformation presents both unprecedented challenges and remarkable opportunities.
President Donald Trump’s announcement on Wednesday of a new trade agreement with China is the kind of headline that gives markets a sense of relief. As I overheard this week at Wealth Management’s EDGE conference, which I attended in Boca Raton, Florida, we may have dodged a recession.
Venture capitalists are betting on a product that’s close to their hearts: software for venture capitalists. Juniper Square Inc., a software provider for VCs and other private investors, has raised $130 million in a deal that values the company at $1.1 billion.
Fears of an impending recession may be fading, but economists are still expecting tepid GDP growth for the year.
In part one of our new series, AI Alpha, we explored the sweeping potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative force.
In the history of technological progress, there's often a critical misreading. We think the leap is in the product—the engine, the chip, the app.
The US 2025 tax bill enhances certain deductions and includes provisions for business growth and development. Our Bill Cass shares the highlights of what is being debated on Capitol Hill and the impact on business owners.
Financial institutions shouldn’t underestimate the depth of regulatory complexity coming their way. A misstep in just one area — whether it’s KYC, AML or elsewhere — could unleash severe consequences.
Transitioning away from your current firm is always a big step, but leaving a non-Broker Protocol firm comes with unique complexities — and potential legal pitfalls — if you're not fully prepared.
The right custodian will be more of a partner than a vendor. Here are some things to consider when making your selection.
Virtually all the marketing activities are exactly what other advisors are doing as well. Never follow the crowd.
Small-cap stocks tend to offer greater growth potential than their large-cap peers, but those returns have yet to materialize consistently. What will it take to turn the tide?
Carolyn McPhillips, President of MFDF, sheds light on the evolving role of ETF directors and their growing importance as investment products become more complex – particularly in emerging areas like crypto and private assets. VettaFi’s Zeno Mercer explores artificial intelligence ETFs, highlighting new launches and offering tips to help investors navigate this rapidly expanding category.
Three months after the Chinese artificial intelligence developer DeepSeek upended the tech world with a model that rivaled America’s best, a 28-year-old AI executive named Alexandr Wang came to Capitol Hill to tell policymakers what they needed to do to maintain US dominance.
The federal government, financial markets and most Americans are all in a state of denial about interest rates.
For four decades, the USA has relied on debt-financed consumption and a service-heavy economy to mask an unsustainable model.
In our view, using quantitative methods in a transparent, repeatable way to extract alpha through diversified factor tilts offers a compelling alternative in this new IG environment.
Here are some important insights and good open-ended questions to ask your clients to make sure they are thinking through life decisions.
The “sell and stay” approach in wealth management mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is a transformative trend reshaping how advisors approach their succession planning and business transitions.
As investors grapple with nagging macro uncertainty, market volatility’s likely to continue. But we also see reasons for optimism — and new opportunities.
As discussions about reshoring continue to dominate economic policy debates, VettaFi hosted a timely webcast with Dr. Daniela Rus, director of MIT’s Computer Science and AI Lab (CSAIL).
A potentially watershed effort to launch US crypto exchange-traded funds that offer staking rewards is throwing up regulatory doubts, even after the funds said they received initial SEC registration approval.
Today I’m going to highlight some speakers who added an equity market perspective to their big-picture views. Getting both right would be much easier if more investors behaved rationally. Alas, they don’t, which is why stock prices do incomprehensible things. Fortunately, you can succeed without catching every twist and turn.
The House passed a comprehensive tax bill to avoid an expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) at the end of the year.
Every year, a large number of ETFs launch in December, aiming to get the benefit of a fresh calendar year of performance.
Matching assets to long-term liabilities without compromising on return potential can be a challenge for insurers with long-duration liabilities.
A monumental week of announcements from Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic signals a strategic shift from standalone AI models to integrated “AI agents” that can act on a user’s behalf.
I worked with a large mutual fund company years ago to develop a program on succession planning for advisors. I’ll share insights and considerations if you are thinking about making a transition, or are working with an advisor who is doing so.
SS&C ALPS Advisors’ Paul Baiocchi dives into key ETF trends, from active and alternatively-weighted strategies to international and thematic ETFs. VettaFi’s Cinthia Murphy goes inside the world of S&P 500 ETFs, exploring several unique angles to the industry’s flagship products.
Keep your market perspective in check, avoid anchoring, and focus on your investment goals rather than market volatility.
For many of us, ETFs have been synonymous with passive management.
Direct indexing has been in the news a lot more in recent years. Larger industry players have strategically acquired a number of providers—including Parametric. And many new entrants have entered the space, looking to build on its success.
This isn’t about selling — at all. It’s about problem-solving and helping — it’s about offering an opportunity to change someone’s life. Remember, they can always say “no.”
Most investors would jump at the chance to add more money to their portfolio, but they often fail to consider the hidden costs associated with it.
Globalt remains conservatively positioned with an underweight in global equities, and neutral duration in fixed income.
Stephen Hemsley never fully dropped the reins when he stepped down as UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s chief executive officer eight years ago. With the health giant in crisis, he’s taking back his old job – and confronting one of the toughest turnaround tasks any executive has ever faced.
President Donald Trump’s first overseas trip since returning to the White House is turning heads across the aerospace & defense and semiconductor industries.
Imagine an institutional investor that allocates a big chunk of its portfolio to illiquid private assets but then needs to sell some of those investments to raise cash. Or a fund company that makes a fortune on actively managed mutual funds for decades, but its investors move their money to low-cost index trackers.
The House Ways & Means Committee advanced a comprehensive tax bill this week. Our Bill Cass discusses the key provisions and how they may impact taxpayers.
Technology and trends have made individual investors an important part of the private market.
It can be tempting to react when someone at work criticizes you at work, but take some time to consider the issue before you do.
To help exemplify the importance of UX, I’m breaking down a few of the most common UX myths, along with the top recommendations to avoid the pitfalls associated with them.
Commonwealth Financial Network®, a national RIA dedicated to providing financial advisors with holistic, integrated business solutions, has initiated a new partnership with Messina College, a two-year, all-residential degree program of Boston College that welcomed its first-ever class of students to the school’s Brookline Campus last summer.
Alexandra Levis, Founder & CEO of Arro Financial Communications, provides an in-depth look at how ETF issuers should think about approaching marketing. VettaFi’s Roxanna Islam breaks down some of the year’s top-performing ETFs, from international plays to precious metals.
It may seem risky to lend against recurring revenues, not earnings. With proper underwriting, it doesn’t have to be.
Are you prepared to adjust your portfolio in the coming months for the possibility that calm, tranquil markets and a resumption of the bullish trend emerge?
Practice Management
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.
We’re in Good Company
When you have a significant underperformance period, investors have a good reason for wondering if you’ve lost your investing mojo.
The Big Four Recession Indicators: Real Retail Sales Rise 0.4% in June
Nominal retail sales in June were up 0.64% month-over-month and up 3.92% year-over-year. However, after adjusting for inflation, real retail sales were up 0.35% month-over-month and up 1.22% year-over-year.
Retail Sales Up 0.6% in June, Better Than Expected
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for June showed consumer spending was higher than expected, with headline sales rising 0.6%.
Dead Investors Society
We have a truly inspiring corporate leader among the companies in our portfolio. We don’t believe the global equity markets have realized it yet.
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.
Preparing Your Team for a Transition
Each month, this column will focus on issues related to advisor transition. One of the most difficult ones is working with your team as you determine how, when, and where to transition your firm.
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.
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.
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.
Tokenization Won’t Fix the Liquidity Problem, It Will Expose It
Tokenization of real assets might make liquidity problems even more obvious. Making assets digital doesn't mean they'll be easier to sell or trade. It could just highlight how hard they really are to sell, and it won’t change the market demand either.
Banks Are Bringing Boots $4.25 Billion Buyout Debt to Market
Banks are looking to sell $2.25 billion of term loans and $2 billion equivalent of bonds for Boots, to help finance its acquisition by US private equity firm Sycamore Partners, according to people familiar with the matter.
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.
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.
Morningstar’s Kunal Kapoor on the Public/Private Market Convergence
At the recent 2025 Morningstar Investment Conference, CEO Kunal Kapoor highlighted a growing trend that is reshaping the investment landscape.
AI Posts Strong Q2 Returns as Inference Economy Takes Hold
The artificial intelligence investment landscape reached a critical inflection point in Q2 2025, with the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index (THNQ) delivering exceptional returns of 24.4%.
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.
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.
The Key Components for Effective Change
Most of us grew up in an era in which you simply had to figure things out on your own, but that’s no longer how it works in business today. The stakes are higher, the competition is fierce.
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.
Lessons on Building a Successful Career in Finance
For those breaking into the financial industry, it’s an exciting time. The opportunity to achieve success and make an impact on an industry that could help people for years to come .
The Great RIA Consolidation: Private Equity Reshapes Wealth Management
Private equity has officially conquered the registered investment advisor (RIA) landscape. It is now responsible for a significant portion of RIA-linked M&A activity.
The AI Arms Race Heats Up: June’s Robotics & Automation Playbook
Below, we recount highlights from constituents of the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index (ROBO) and the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index (THNQ).
Getting a Grip on Uncertainty
Sharp U.S. policy shift and elevated uncertainty reflect an evolution of the new macro regime. What matters: getting a grip on uncertainty by identifying its core features.
The Total Return Roller Coaster: June 2025
Here's an interesting set of charts that will especially resonate with those of us who follow economic and market cycles. Imagine that five years ago you invested $10,000 in the S&P 500. How much would it be worth today, with dividends reinvested but adjusted for inflation?
How to Nurture Firm Culture, Values When Breaking Out on Your Own
Your firm's culture should reflect your values and your mission.
Great Ideas Need a Plan
There are a number of considerations to put in place before you start any change effort, transition or project. These can help save endless hours of wasted time trying to undo things that didn’t work or going back to fix it again.
Thinning the Herd: Herd Investing Is a Disservice to Clients
True fiduciary duty isn’t fulfilled by following the crowd. It’s fulfilled by doing the harder thing: making the right call even when it’s the unpopular one. The world doesn’t need more advisors playing not to lose. It needs more who are willing to lead — even if they walk alone.
Visa, Mastercard Race to Capture a $253 Billion Crypto Threat
A turf war is breaking out in the vast world of digital payments — and the incumbents are suddenly on defense.
Thematic ETFs in 2025: What’s Next?
Thematic investing has experienced cycles of popularity over time. In less cautious market environments, investors often turn their attention to ambitious ideas — such as disruptive technologies or other transformative future trends — looking beyond traditional equity ETFs.
Artificial Intelligence Discussion Closes Out Midyear Symposium
Thematic ETFs are making a comeback, and one theme in particular dominates conversation. Artificial Intelligence remains top of mind for investors. TMX VettaFi’s Zeno Mercer and Todd Rosenbluth discussed the disruptive technology.
JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF (TOV)
VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF (TOV) on this week’s “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.”
Senate Tax Proposal: Some Key Provisions Differ From House Bill
As tax policy discussions continue on Capitol Hill, the Senate Finance Committee recently released its version of the tax bill that would avoid the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
Why Glide Path Selection Deserves More Attention in Target-Date Fund Evaluation
Target-date fund glide paths can be important tools for retirement planning. Advisors should focus on assumptions, transparency, and outcomes to ensure they align with participants' needs.
Robotics Is Real. The Discount Is Too
During our June 5th ROBO Global Webcast, we covered three key themes driving the robotics and AI investment landscape.
Determining Cultural Fit: 25 Key Questions
If you are considering merging or acquiring another practice, consider having each party answer some of the following questions to see where you both stand.
Getting the Flexibility to Serve Clients as You’d Like To
Whether you’re breaking away from a wirehouse and going independent for the first time or looking for a greater degree of balance, there are opportunities for advisors to truly manage their practice the way they choose.
Gold Surpasses Euro as the Second-Largest Reserve Currency in the World
The U.S. Dollar Index, when measured against a basket of other major currencies, has declined by approximately 10% this year through mid-June and is currently trading at its lowest level in three years.
How Market Concentration Shapes Passive and Active Equity Returns
Market concentration rewarded passive investors who held market weights in the surging mega-caps. Since late 2014, passive index returns ranked in the 10th percentile of all portfolios in eVestment’s US Large Cap Growth Equity universe. In other words, only 10% of active managers outperformed.
Alpha Reimagined
How big data, AI and the human element can combine to better pursue consistent alpha.
Key Considerations for Evaluating Non-Hardship 401(k) Withdrawals
It's important to consider non-hardship 401(k) withdrawals carefully. Our Bill Cass explains why individuals should check plan eligibility and consider asset protection and tax implications.
Getting Colleagues to Step Up Can Be Difficult
When problems arise with colleagues at a firm, it's best to tread carefully and thoughtfully.
Compliance Relics: The Case Against PDFs & Screenshots
As communications become more dynamic and digital interactions more complex, static captures are increasingly out of step with the needs of modern compliance and the expectations of U.S. regulators.
Crypto Index ETFs, Explained for Financial Professionals
In this article, we’ll explore how crypto index ETFs are structured, how they differ from single-asset products, and how financial professionals can incorporate them into diversified portfolios with clear goals around sizing, suitability, and risk management.
Investment Opportunities as AI, Robots Transform Labor
The question isn’t whether robots will transform global labor markets. It’s how quickly the transformation will unfold. This transformation presents both unprecedented challenges and remarkable opportunities.
Trump’s Trade Deal with China Is a Tailwind for Global Shipping
President Donald Trump’s announcement on Wednesday of a new trade agreement with China is the kind of headline that gives markets a sense of relief. As I overheard this week at Wealth Management’s EDGE conference, which I attended in Boca Raton, Florida, we may have dodged a recession.
Unicorn Juniper Square Sells Picks and Shovels of Private Market Boom
Venture capitalists are betting on a product that’s close to their hearts: software for venture capitalists. Juniper Square Inc., a software provider for VCs and other private investors, has raised $130 million in a deal that values the company at $1.1 billion.
Building Steady Streams: Dividend ETFs in Focus
Fears of an impending recession may be fading, but economists are still expecting tepid GDP growth for the year.
AI: The Challenges for Investors
In part one of our new series, AI Alpha, we explored the sweeping potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative force.
The Compute Capital Supercycle: AI’s Silent Infrastructure Revolution
In the history of technological progress, there's often a critical misreading. We think the leap is in the product—the engine, the chip, the app.
What Business Owners Need to Know About the New Tax Bill
The US 2025 tax bill enhances certain deductions and includes provisions for business growth and development. Our Bill Cass shares the highlights of what is being debated on Capitol Hill and the impact on business owners.
One Consumer Watchdog Loses Its Bite as Others Sharpen Their Claws
Financial institutions shouldn’t underestimate the depth of regulatory complexity coming their way. A misstep in just one area — whether it’s KYC, AML or elsewhere — could unleash severe consequences.
Navigating a Non-Protocol Transition: What Every Advisor Needs to Know Before Making a Move From a Captive Firm or Broker-Dealer
Transitioning away from your current firm is always a big step, but leaving a non-Broker Protocol firm comes with unique complexities — and potential legal pitfalls — if you're not fully prepared.
Choosing a Custodian
The right custodian will be more of a partner than a vendor. Here are some things to consider when making your selection.
Stop Being One of Many
Virtually all the marketing activities are exactly what other advisors are doing as well. Never follow the crowd.
What's Holding Back Small Caps?
Small-cap stocks tend to offer greater growth potential than their large-cap peers, but those returns have yet to materialize consistently. What will it take to turn the tide?
What Do ETF Boards Do? MFDF’s Carolyn McPhillips Explains
Carolyn McPhillips, President of MFDF, sheds light on the evolving role of ETF directors and their growing importance as investment products become more complex – particularly in emerging areas like crypto and private assets. VettaFi’s Zeno Mercer explores artificial intelligence ETFs, highlighting new launches and offering tips to help investors navigate this rapidly expanding category.
Meta Set to Throw Billions at Startup That Leads AI Data Market
Three months after the Chinese artificial intelligence developer DeepSeek upended the tech world with a model that rivaled America’s best, a 28-year-old AI executive named Alexandr Wang came to Capitol Hill to tell policymakers what they needed to do to maintain US dominance.
Financial Repression Won’t Make Interest Rates Lower
The federal government, financial markets and most Americans are all in a state of denial about interest rates.
$50 Trillion Opportunity: USA Robotics & AI ‘Manhattan Project’
For four decades, the USA has relied on debt-financed consumption and a service-heavy economy to mask an unsustainable model.
Navigating a Sea of Investment-Grade Credit
In our view, using quantitative methods in a transparent, repeatable way to extract alpha through diversified factor tilts offers a compelling alternative in this new IG environment.
Questions to Ask Clients About Key Milestones
Here are some important insights and good open-ended questions to ask your clients to make sure they are thinking through life decisions.
Beyond the Exit: Why More Financial Advisors Are Choosing to Sell & Stay
The “sell and stay” approach in wealth management mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is a transformative trend reshaping how advisors approach their succession planning and business transitions.
The Unbearable Burden of Waiting and Seeing
As investors grapple with nagging macro uncertainty, market volatility’s likely to continue. But we also see reasons for optimism — and new opportunities.
AI, Robotics & the Future of U.S. Manufacturing
As discussions about reshoring continue to dominate economic policy debates, VettaFi hosted a timely webcast with Dr. Daniela Rus, director of MIT’s Computer Science and AI Lab (CSAIL).
SEC Flags Concerns on Crypto ETFs Offering Staking Rewards
A potentially watershed effort to launch US crypto exchange-traded funds that offer staking rewards is throwing up regulatory doubts, even after the funds said they received initial SEC registration approval.
Bullish Highlights
Today I’m going to highlight some speakers who added an equity market perspective to their big-picture views. Getting both right would be much easier if more investors behaved rationally. Alas, they don’t, which is why stock prices do incomprehensible things. Fortunately, you can succeed without catching every twist and turn.
Special Tax Alert Update: House Passes Tax Bill
The House passed a comprehensive tax bill to avoid an expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) at the end of the year.
Newer ETFs Are Not Necessarily Gimmicks
Every year, a large number of ETFs launch in December, aiming to get the benefit of a fresh calendar year of performance.
Renewable Energy and Insurers: Tailor Made?
Matching assets to long-term liabilities without compromising on return potential can be a challenge for insurers with long-duration liabilities.
iPhones Defined the Last Era, Proactive AI Agents Will Define the Next
A monumental week of announcements from Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic signals a strategic shift from standalone AI models to integrated “AI agents” that can act on a user’s behalf.
Making a Transition into Retirement for Advisors
I worked with a large mutual fund company years ago to develop a program on succession planning for advisors. I’ll share insights and considerations if you are thinking about making a transition, or are working with an advisor who is doing so.
SS&C ALPS Advisors’ Paul Baiocchi Talks Active ETFs, Thematics, & More
SS&C ALPS Advisors’ Paul Baiocchi dives into key ETF trends, from active and alternatively-weighted strategies to international and thematic ETFs. VettaFi’s Cinthia Murphy goes inside the world of S&P 500 ETFs, exploring several unique angles to the industry’s flagship products.
The Anchoring Problem and How to Solve it
Keep your market perspective in check, avoid anchoring, and focus on your investment goals rather than market volatility.
Innovation In Indexing: Why Passive ETFs Matter
For many of us, ETFs have been synonymous with passive management.
What is Direct Indexing?
Direct indexing has been in the news a lot more in recent years. Larger industry players have strategically acquired a number of providers—including Parametric. And many new entrants have entered the space, looking to build on its success.
It Isn’t Selling. It’s Solving.
This isn’t about selling — at all. It’s about problem-solving and helping — it’s about offering an opportunity to change someone’s life. Remember, they can always say “no.”
The Case for International Equities in Target-Date Funds
Most investors would jump at the chance to add more money to their portfolio, but they often fail to consider the hidden costs associated with it.
Changing the World Takes Time
Globalt remains conservatively positioned with an underweight in global equities, and neutral duration in fixed income.
The Man Who Built UnitedHealth Into an Industry Giant Now Has to Turn It Around
Stephen Hemsley never fully dropped the reins when he stepped down as UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s chief executive officer eight years ago. With the health giant in crisis, he’s taking back his old job – and confronting one of the toughest turnaround tasks any executive has ever faced.
Trump’s Gulf Visit Ignites Record Military Sales and AI Infrastructure Boom
President Donald Trump’s first overseas trip since returning to the White House is turning heads across the aerospace & defense and semiconductor industries.
Guess Where Harvard’s Private Equity Will Likely End Up
Imagine an institutional investor that allocates a big chunk of its portfolio to illiquid private assets but then needs to sell some of those investments to raise cash. Or a fund company that makes a fortune on actively managed mutual funds for decades, but its investors move their money to low-cost index trackers.
Special Tax Alert: House Committee Advances Tax Bill
The House Ways & Means Committee advanced a comprehensive tax bill this week. Our Bill Cass discusses the key provisions and how they may impact taxpayers.
A Universe of Potential Opportunity Lies Beyond the Public Markets
Technology and trends have made individual investors an important part of the private market.
Take a Breath When Unfairly Criticized
It can be tempting to react when someone at work criticizes you at work, but take some time to consider the issue before you do.
4 Common Myths of Website User Experience
To help exemplify the importance of UX, I’m breaking down a few of the most common UX myths, along with the top recommendations to avoid the pitfalls associated with them.
Commonwealth Partners with Messina College, Creating Career Paths for First-Generation College Students
Commonwealth Financial Network®, a national RIA dedicated to providing financial advisors with holistic, integrated business solutions, has initiated a new partnership with Messina College, a two-year, all-residential degree program of Boston College that welcomed its first-ever class of students to the school’s Brookline Campus last summer.
Arro’s Alexandra Levis: How ETF Issuers Can Stand Out
Alexandra Levis, Founder & CEO of Arro Financial Communications, provides an in-depth look at how ETF issuers should think about approaching marketing. VettaFi’s Roxanna Islam breaks down some of the year’s top-performing ETFs, from international plays to precious metals.
Software Recurring Revenue Lending: Flexibility and Skill Required
It may seem risky to lend against recurring revenues, not earnings. With proper underwriting, it doesn’t have to be.
The Storm Before the Calm
Are you prepared to adjust your portfolio in the coming months for the possibility that calm, tranquil markets and a resumption of the bullish trend emerge?