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Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on Mar 05, 2012, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with , ,

Last week’s best blogs include one timely investment issue and two reinforcing messages beneficial for advisors to continually assess.

  • BlackRock – This post provides a clear reminder that real interest rates impact gold prices. Additionally, Russ provides two reasons to favor gold over silver.
  • Russell – This post reminds FAs of the framing effect. The framing effect dramatically impacts how investors understand decisions and approach problems.
  • Wells Fargo – It’s refreshing for a PM to provide a straightforward answer to what’s your investment philosophy. This post provides Adam Kurkiewicz’s philosophy and supporting context.

 

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on Feb 27, 2012, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with , , ,

There were a high volume of blogs last week and numerous high-quality posts. I selected five to share this week.

  • BlackRock – Amongst many similar posts and articles, this post covers the value of the Euro best.
  • BlackRock – Videos overs five minutes usually scare me (and most FAs per our research) away. This video post is barely over five minutes and a helpful recap on commodities. It may be too simple for FAs that invest clients’ assets in commodities, but excellent for those FAs to send along to clients.
  • Columbia – This post provides a pithy and engaging case for high yield.
  • Russell – Popular investment news sources are devoting a lot of attention to high dividend-paying stocks. This post provides an balanced discussion on the topic.
  • Wells Fargo – Something for the compliance-oriented reader; this post provides a Q&A on a pending SEC reform proposal. Something surely to catch airtime on financial television and thus helpful for an advisor who may field a few calls and emails about the topic.

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on Feb 20, 2012, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with , ,

We found a dearth of exciting blogs last week; only two to recommend. However, we did find an unusual occurrence – the same topic by two firms, just a day apart. Here’s Columbia introducing alternative investing and a day later, American Century offers a primer on alternative investing.

  • Columbia – More interesting then priming, this post on incorporating alternatives offers a few easy-to-use tips and link to a longer article.
  • Pioneer – This post on reasons why the economy is improving differs from so many because it’s direct, scannable, and ends with a recommendation.

The Most Overused Word in ETF Marketing

Posted by Mike McLaughlin on Feb 16, 2012, in Thoughts , tagged with , , ,

Innovation is the biggest cliche in ETF marketing.

This was reinforced for me yesterday after reading about the liquidation of 8 Global X ETFs. Having never checked out the Global X Web site, I went there and immediately encountered this:

We’ve been working with an emerging ETF provider on how to best position their product lineup, so I went back and reviewed notes on 6 other firms. Five of them prominently include innovation in their marketing messages:

  • As an innovator in exchange-traded funds…
  • …providing access to an innovative array of opportunities…
  • …provides innovative ways to enhance return potential…
  • …our track record of consistently creating innovative investment vehicles…
  • [firm] is an innovator in its field…

The definition of a cliche is something that has lost originality and impact through overuse. I believe that innovation has reached the point of having almost zero resonance with prospects and clients. It is a concept that everyone uses and tries to own, and therefore it has no power. Even when it might be factually true.

Now don’t get me started on solutions…

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on Feb 13, 2012, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with , ,

A significant number of long-format, meandering blogs from asset managers this week. Perhaps it’s the time of year to write significantly. We selected three and welcome MFS, and the CIO into the best blogs today.

  • BlackRock – If you were to say I’m biased towards infographics, you would be correct.
  • Columbia – This post presents a succinct reason to consider emerging markets.
  • MFS – Mr. Swanson presents seven reasons to consider technology stocks right now. I suspect any advisor would find 3 or 4 compelling and worth consideration.