Research Magazine June 2012

Six Conversations With Clients You Need to Have

By Jane Wollman Rusoff

To be a successful financial advisor, you must have the diagnostic acuity of a physician, the perspicacity of an investigative reporter, the problem-solving skills of a psychologist — and, oh yes, the expertise to recommend appropriate investments.

The Shale Gas Rush

By Gerald Burstyn

With all of this new economic activity comes investing opportunity. And there is more than one way to play the market.

A Novel Approach

By Ellen Uzelac

Never heard of heritage planning? You will, if advisor Cam Thornton has his way.

Clarity of Vision for Retirement Advisors

By Robert Tyndall

In a static and slow-moving economy, it is pretty easy to see the few sectors that have attained velocity.

Seminar Mistakes

By Bill Good

Commit two or more of these seminar sins, and you will join the legion of advisors who mutter “Seminars don’t work anymore.”

The Next Congress

By Kenneth Silber, Research

This year’s congressional elections hold considerable potential to reshuffle power on Capitol Hill.

Too Much Cash

By Alexei Bayer

If, as some analysts suggest, holding such huge cash reserves has become necessary for companies to protect themselves, then the economy has become unbalanced and dangerously volatile.

Bounty Hunting for Business

By Bill Miller

If you ask any red-blooded American boy what he wants to be when he grows up, he’ll most likely tell you one of two things: a professional football player or a financial advisor.

Milevsky: What Is Your Financial Legacy – Today?

By Moshe A. Milevsky

In the beginning, life insurance was perceived as just another gamble, or a game of chance, involving three parties.

Realistic Planning: There’s More to Life Than Retirement

By Bob Seawright

Much retirement planning advice focuses on saving more and saving earlier. But this advice isn’t always realistic and often comes couched in unjustified criticism.

FiNet Chief Outlines Growth Drivers

By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne

John Peluso, president of Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, says the independent channel of Wells Fargo had a very good 2011, and he expects the group to have an even better 2012.

LPL Financial Boosts FAs, Sales

By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne

LPL Financial said its first-quarter net income was $41.2 million, or $0.37 per share, down $7.8 million compared with net income of $49.0 million, or $0.43 per share, from a year earlier.

Major Firms See Assets, Fees Rise in Q1 ‘12 But Post Mixed Results for FA Headcounts

By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne

Highlights of Q1 Target-Date Report

By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne

The average return for target-date funds during the first quarter of 2012 was close to 9%, which is about 3.5% below the S&P 500 Index

401(k)s Making Headway

By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne

Fidelity Investments said in early May that the average 401(k) balance rose to $74,600 at the end of the first quarter

Vanguard Looks at Ethnicity, Savings

By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne

Recent Vanguard research on diversity and retirement savings concluded that African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely to take loans and hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) plan accounts than whites and Asians.

Can ETNs Be Trusted?

By Ronald Delegge, ETFguide.com

Although the $17 billion exchange-traded note (ETN) market represents less than 2% of the trillion dollar ETP universe, it’s been making a lot of noise.

Blackrock Adds Bond Sector ETFs

By Ronald Delegge, ETFguide.com

Blackrock, manager of the iShares ETFs has unveiled four new funds focused on bonds and income strategies.

Investing in Energy MLPs

By Ronald Delegge, ETFguide.com

A new ETF from Global X Funds focused on master limited partnerships (MLPs) in the energy sector has been launched.

Agriculture ETP Launched

By Ronald Delegge, ETFguide.com

The United States Commodity Index Funds Trust introduced an exchange-traded product tracking agricultural commodities.

Junk Bonds with Global Tilt

Van Eck Global introduced the Market Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF (IHY).

The STOCK Act’s Lameness

By Ronald Delegge, ETFguide.com

"Send me a bill that bans insider trading by members of Congress and I will sign it tomorrow,” President Obama proclaimed in his State of the Union on Jan. 24, 2012.

Selective Standouts

By Ed McCarthy, CFP

Certain consumer companies continue to outshine their counterparts.