Best Blogs of the Week

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on Jun 12, 2012, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with , ,

This week’s best blogs range from a Q&A about stock picking to finding opportunity in volatility.

  • Columbia – Most FAs we encounter  have sold volatility (as a situation) to their clients. We hear “these are volatile times” or “it’s a period of unprecedented volatility” very often. This post, especially the bold text provides an interesting stance on what to look for in today’s volatile markets.
  • Russell – Is there any asset management metaphor more cliche than the sailboat? A compass. I’d agree with that. Anyhow, this post relates an important (and simple) sailing innovation to investing in a new (hence, not cliche) manner.
  • Wells Fargo – This post provides an interesting stance on why the time for active equity may be now. We’re fans of the Q&A style, especially when used selectively.

[Apologies for the extra day]

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on Jun 04, 2012, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with , ,

This week’s best of blogs started with a single criteria: no more Europe. I imagine many FAs are fatigued by the constant stream of European danger signs. So, here are three, non-European blog posts.

  • AllianceBernstein – A practical post for any FA with entrepreneurial clients considering selling part or all of their business.
  • BlackRock – Dividend investing is having its day. It’s dividends morning, noon, and night. Well, this post does an excellent job of looking at the strategy for reasons beyond yield.
  • Franklin Templeton – Select firms spent a lot of time in advance of 5/29 promoting the date as college saving day. This post summarizes the benefits of 529 plans well and includes a high-impact graphic.

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on May 29, 2012, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with ,

Happy Memorial Day. Hopefully nobody was stuck in this position. Last week we found two interesting posts to share.

  • BlackRock – This post covers the familiar territory related to US government entitlement programs. The author adds three investor considerations based on that territory.
  • Wells Fargo – This post explains high-conviction investing in very practical terms. The description is something an FA can easily incorporate into his/her client discussions and supports the value of long-term investing.

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on May 21, 2012, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with , ,

Diversification and beyond! This week’s best considers diversification, preferred funds, and Greece.

  • BlackRock -In our recent marketing and product work, there’s been a recent uptick in discussing preferred stock as an attractive position in the capital structure. I imagine FAs are hearing a bit about it and this post provides some of the counter-argument.
  • Columbia – This post explains the cause of and effect of a diversifying asset class and significant inflows (to said asset class). This is great fodder for an FA to consider when re-balancing clients’ portfolios.
  • MFS – Greece? Don’t worry, but worry about precedent re: Italy, Spain, & Portugal. That’s a helpful nugget for FAs getting anxious client phone calls.

 

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on May 14, 2012, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with ,

In a week that began with a new French leader and ended with a $2B  headlines, the industry blogs covered a numerous topics. We thought two blogs were particularly interesting.

  • BlackRock – The author tests the adage sell in May and go away in this post.
  • Putnam – This post builds on DALBAR research indicating equity investors under-perform the market because they churn too much. Interesting topic for any FA speaking with jittery clients.