Wealth Manager Web December 2006

Cover Story

• Goin' Up?

  By Susan B. Weiner

  For most advisors, it's a no-brainer to pick the fund with lower expenses, assuming the fund's style, market capitalization and other major factors are equal....

• Bric Building

  By Bennett Voyles

  In the late 1970s, retired London money manager Manfred Adami recalls, he would spend hours visiting U.S. pension fund managers, trying to convince them that...

• Hometown Profits

  By Stan Luxenburg

  Financial funds have been ringing up profits. Beginning in 2000, the category outshined the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index for six consecutive years. During the...

• Scalpel or Hammer?

  By Chuck Carlson, CFA

  Indeed, the long-awaited (not to mention oft-predicted) shift to large-cap stocks appears to be taking hold. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, home to many megacap...

• History Lessons

  By James Picerno

  Low inflation and strong economic growth fuel equity bull markets. But the process also works in reverse, and so the seeds are sown for bear...

• Hit the Gas

  By Britt Erica Tunick

  The oil and gas sector has become so popular over the last three years that the number of commodities-oriented hedge funds alone has more than...

• The Power of One

  By James Picerno

  Asset allocation tends to be a do-it-yourself enterprise for wealth managers. But as multi-asset class funds become more sophisticated, some advisors are reconsidering off-the-shelf asset...

• Global Ties

  By Justin Daniels

  Americans have just finished tucking into their Thanksgiving turkeys with much to be thankful for as stock markets hovered near or exceeded record levels, and...

• Commodity Choice

  By Robert N. Gordon

  Commodities may be the oldest form of wealth, and recent academic work has concluded that over long periods of time, an investment in commodities has...

• Broadband Maze

  By Vicki Powers

  High-quality broadband access is critical to the ability of small businesses to remain competitive, increase productivity, and improve customer communications. Imagine downloading an 8 Mbyte...

• The 72(t) Solution

  By Janet Aschkenasy

  Imagine you could turn all of your Baby Boomer clients on to a somewhat arcane section of the IRS Code that allowed them to withdraw...

• A Fresh Look

  By Brent Hicks

  At age 32, Chad Burton, CFP, has realized as much or more business success than many financial advisors who are 20 years his senior. His...

• The 'Go Team!' System

  By Katherine Vessenes

  I bet you thought cheerleading is just for high school students. In fact, cheerleading could be a quick way for you to close more business,...

• Save a Piece

  By Julian Block

  Tax-savvy owners of small businesses, freelancers and other self-employed individuals know that they have two choices on how to write off their outlays for purchases...

• Protective Covering

  By Nancy Opiela

  Insurance has never been a favorite subject for fee-only advisors. First of all, your clients would rather talk about making money than spending it, especially...

• Soft Sell

  By Elaine Robertson Demby

  Soft dollars won't be going as far as they used to in the new regulatory environment which means that investment advisors may have to change...

• Off With Their Heads

  By Lynn O'Shaughnessy

  If you have clients who are contemplating loosening their grip on a concentrated stock position, you may have already taken a look at the variable...

• Liquid Assets

  By Joseph Finora

  Your client has everything. The homes are paid for. The children have been put through school. Estate plans and long-term care are in place. While...

• Do the Right Thing

  By Daniel Moisand

  Many financial planners share traits that distinguish true professions from industries: Advanced academic training, standards of practice and conduct, and a determination to serve a...