Cover Story: Invest Globally, Advise Locally

In 2010, why alpha will be found overseas, and why back home, USC Professor Jody Agius Vallejo’s research can help you add clients

American advisors also are rooted in geography: they operate in a specific town or neighborhood; they are often active in their communities; and their clients are often of a specific type. But there are more "types" than ever in the United States. ...

Investment Opportunities May Well Abound in 2010

Emerging markets are a good hedge for inflation, and Japan may be the dark horse

The New Year greets no shortage of opinion about the markets. ...

A Self-Imposed Barrier for Advisors Serving South Asian Clients

The two issues that advisors interested in serving clients from the South Asian diaspora need to understand are: family and community....

Serving the Underserved (Millionaire)

Ben Marks bases his investment strategy on a three-legged stool of transparency, liquidity, and proximity....

Raising Your Game

Ray Sclafani’s coaches help advisors provide advice and guidance....

Asset Allocation

Behind the numbers with LPL's Jeffrey Kleintop...

Venture Populist: Venture Hits and Exit Wounds

Sometimes there is no outcome....

The ETF Advisor: S&P 500 ETFs

Tied to the S&P 500 in a variety of ways....

Schwab Keeps Up the Price Pressure

Cuts equity commissions to $8.95 per trade; rolls out more commission-free ETFs....

The Effect of Dodd’s Retirement

Opinions vary as to what Senator Christopher Dodd’s retirement, announced in January, will mean for financial services and healthcare reform. ...

Washington Watch: Fiduciary Wrangling Resumes

Groups urge Dodd and Shelby to maintain strong fiduciary language in reform bill....

GroupThink

News from IMCA and the SEC....

Changes

Personnel moves and appointments....

Upgrades

News on RIAs, mutual funds, and ETFs...

Editor's Note: Migrant Musings in a New Age

“Somehow the nation has survived for over 100 years with such a high percentage of ‘foreigners’ roaming the country.”...

The Affluentialist: Trends in Client Communication

Stronger channels boost productivity, satisfaction, and profits....

The Green Advisor: Adding ESG to Asset Allocation

New portfolios aim to help advisors align values and diversification....

Formulas for Success: Howl at the Moon

Probing for traits that expose how individuals think and behave, and reveal what they value, can often be the key to a successful hire....

Clark at Large: Declaration of Independence

Starting with fiduciary duty, I propose standards for a new profession....

The Psychology of Advice: Resolution Trust

What happens when “I will” becomes “I can’t”?...

The Fast Track: Bonus Babies

Relaunch your bonus plan now before you lose someone....

Retirement Planning: Top Trends in Retirement

Longevity risk takes center stage while savings vehicles become available....

Retirement News

Legislation to watch; Lord, Abbett waives annual custodial fee for new IRA accounts. ...

Broker/Dealer Briefing: New Leader for FSI

Mari Buechner is org’s first small firm chair....

Securities Lawsuits Down

The number of federal securities class action law suits filed dropped sharply in 2009....

Broker/Dealer News

Info on municipal bonds, a promotion at National Financial, and a new office for Sorrento Pacific....

Insurance Update: Along for the Rider

Using life insurance for disability coverage....

Expert's Corner: Small, Yes, But Compliant

How smaller RIA firms can shoulder the compliance burden....

Soapbox: Here's What We Were Thinking

“Our united endorsement of a ‘broad and unambiguous’ fiduciary duty of care is non-negotiable.”...

Starting Early

It all started with a gift of stock at the age of 10. ...

Our Panel of Experts' Projections for 2010

Our Asset Allocation panelists, asking for their projections on the markets and the economy for the year....

About the Advisor

Ben Marks's CV...

What the Rankings Mean

A key to the fund rankings. ...

So You Want to Have a Profession?

Bob Clark's list of standards....

Forgive Us Our Imperfections

Some suggested reading....

A Self-Defeating Mentality

The irrationality of performance-based plans became clear during the 2008-2009 markets. ...

Beware Green Investment Scams

If returns sound to good to be true, they probably are. ...

Older and Online

From November 2004 until November 2009, the number of people over 65 years old who actively used the Internet jumped by 55%....