Wealth Management
Precious metals miners specializing in the extraction of gold and silver from the earth had a good week. These five – four of the NYSE and one on the Nasdaq – blasted to new price highs mid-week before pulling back a bit on Friday. A widely followed gold stocks ETF also showed a new high. Two factors are at work: inflation and fear. That Donald Trump tariffs are basically inflationary have money managers looking for hedges and the classic for that is precious metals. That’s one of the reasons for this week’s price run-up in silver and silver stocks –…
As economic, technological, and demographic shifts reshape the wealth management industry, forward-thinking advisors can position themselves as indispensable partners to a new generation of clients. Here’s how wealth managers can capitalize on 2025’s key trends to stand out and grow their businesses. Focus on Agility and Expertise In an era of continued economic volatility, wealth managers who effectively navigate complex markets will stand out. Rising interest in alternative investments—such as private equity, real estate, and infrastructure—presents an opportunity to showcase specialized knowledge and meet the diversification needs of high-net-worth clients. Firms can leverage thought leadership content—white papers, webinars, and podcasts—…
Team Name: C2 Advisors Firm: UBS Private Wealth Management Senior Members: Cindy Brown, Daffan Nettle, Leslie Gunawan, Jay Boynton Location: Dallas, TX Team Custodied Assets: $1.5 billion Background: A team of majority women, C2 Advisors moved from JPMorgan to UBS in 2021. With 9 people in total, there are four senior partners, each with their own expertise. Daffan Nettle has an M&A background, Leslie Gunawan in fixed income trading and institutional consulting, Cindy Brown in institutional capital markets and Jay Boynton in portfolio management. They work with 100 clients today, from family offices and business owners to private equity firms…
The robust and much higher-than-expected employment growth in the December jobs report on Friday essentially wiped out any thoughts of another Federal Reserve rate cut on January 29. Job growth continued to bounce back from the hurricanes and strike-impacted October data. The economy entered 2025 with some momentum, as the Atlanta Fed currently estimates 2.7% GDP growth for the fourth quarter. Employment grew by 256,000 nonfarm jobs, which was well above expectations. Previous data was revised slightly lower, but not enough to diminish the strong report. The household survey data was even more impressive, with a gain of 478,000 jobs,…
Team Name: The Chen Group Firm: Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management Senior Members: Robert Chen, James Ferrante, Libby Miller, Talal Bazzi Location: New York, NY Team Custodied Assets: $1.2 billion Background: The son of Chinese immigrants, Robert Chen grew up in South Carolina and was originally a pre-med student at Brown before majoring in economics. He then did stints at Credit Suisse working on leverage buyout deals before going to work at several different hedge funds. After his father passed away in a car accident, he moved home for six months to redo all of the family’s finances and estate…
Team Name: Laurella, Roundy & Associates Firm: Merrill Wealth Management Senior Members: Carl Laurella, Jeffry Roundy, Randy Joseph, Ashly Laurella Pantone Location: Salt Late City, Utah Team Custodied Assets: $1.8 billion Background: An auditor at Ernst & Young before becoming a financial advisor, Jeffry Roundy joined his team at Merrill in 1995. One of the first wealth teams at the firm, it has grown over the years to now include four senior partners and four support staff. They work with clients from all over the country, including many business owners, a number of institutions and a significant number of high…
In the ongoing saga of the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act, The Department of Justice (DOJ), representing the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), has filed an Emergency Motion for Stay Pending Appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. This follows the current nationwide injunction that prevents the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Justice Samuel Alito has set a deadline of 4:00 PM Eastern on this coming this Friday, January 10, 2025, for the plaintiffs in the Texas Top Cop Shop case to respond to FinCEN’s request. The request involves reinstating the emergency stay initially granted by the Fifth…
As wildfires relentlessly sweep through Los Angeles, California, countless families are left to navigate the devastating aftermath. The challenge becomes even more profound when elderly relatives, already burdened with significant health issues, are thrust into chaos. As a trusts and estates attorney who frequently serves as a private fiduciary, I’ve witnessed firsthand how crucial comprehensive support is during such crises. This time, it’s personal—my wife’s elderly uncle and his wife have lost their home and all their belongings to the fires. In this shared struggle, we seek ways to provide meaningful support. Here’s a guide to offering both financial and…
Retirement marks an exciting new chapter in life, filled with possibilities for relaxation, exploration, and time with loved ones. But alongside these opportunities comes the need for careful financial planning. Retirees face unique challenges, such as managing fixed incomes, navigating healthcare costs, and ensuring their savings last for the long haul. Asking the right questions can set the stage for a secure and fulfilling retirement. Here are three critical financial questions every retiree should ask to stay on track. 1. Do I Have a Sustainable Withdrawal Strategy? A key challenge in retirement is balancing your need for income with the…
With the economy doing well, basically, it’s a little surprising to see how poorly these steel stocks are performing. It’s a sector made up of companies in the construction of most buildings, homes, automobiles and many other products. If these equities — and the steel stocks index — represent a form of expectation, there might be a larger problem, economically speaking. 4 Steel Stocks New Lows Dow Jones Steel Stock Index ($DJUSST) This index provides investor with a good view of the sector as a whole. Right now, you can see how much it’s dropped from that early November level.…
After examining stocks’ superior performance over the last two years, an analysis suggests that the returns were reasonable given the companies’ improved profitability, particularly for technology stocks. The more challenging question is whether the enhanced profitability can continue in 2025 or if expectations have become too high. Looking at the long-term returns on stocks and earnings data can provide additional insights. In the short run, the market is a voting machine, but in the long run, it is a weighing machine. – Attributed to Benjamin Graham While the S&P 500 had a robust total return of 25% in 2024, looking…