An Impact-First Strategy That Reimagines the Global Core
The Adasina Social Justice All‑Cap Global ETF (JSTC) launches as an impact‑first product that prioritizes community‑sourced social‑justice metrics over traditional ESG scores. It mandates at least 40% non‑U.S. exposure, holds more than 600 diversified stocks, and keeps its top‑10 holdings under 15% of assets. While tracking the Adasina Social Justice Total Return Index, managers retain discretion to remove securities that no longer meet the social criteria. With roughly $60 million AUM, JSTC is positioned as a satellite allocation for advisors seeking targeted impact exposure.
Triad Wealth CIO: We Want to Introduce More Cyclicality in Our Models
Triad Wealth Partners, an institutional RIA founded in 2023, has scaled to over $1 billion in assets under management while focusing on mass‑affluent investors. The firm’s CIO Brent Coggins says the firm is tweaking its model portfolios to add more cyclicality...
How Paying Off Your Mortgage Early Can Affect Your Taxes
Paying off a mortgage early eliminates interest payments but also removes the mortgage interest deduction, potentially increasing taxable income. Homeowners must weigh the loss of that deduction against the interest savings, especially if they currently itemize. Property tax deductions remain,...
Long-Term Stock Investments: Tax Rules and Growth
The article outlines how long‑term stock investing leverages lower capital‑gains taxes, compounding returns, and reduced trading costs to build wealth. Holding assets for more than a year qualifies gains for 0‑15‑20 % rates versus higher ordinary‑income taxes, and a 7 % annual...
Trump Account Tax Benefit: Here’s What Tax Pros Need to Know About the New IRS Guidance
The IRS and Treasury issued proposed regulations outlining the new Trump account, a child‑focused, tax‑advantaged retirement vehicle created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Eligible newborns born between 2025 and 2028 receive a one‑time $1,000 federal pilot contribution, and...
No Tax on Tips: How to Deduct Up to $25K of Your Income
The Treasury’s new “no tax on tips” deduction lets eligible tipped employees deduct up to $25,000 of tip income from their federal returns, running from 2025 through 2028. The benefit phases out once single filers earn $150,000 or joint filers...
Monthly Spotlight: Global Investing
Wealth Professional’s March spotlight turns to global markets as Canadian advisors note a renewed appetite for international allocations. Since early 2024, global equities have outperformed key U.S. indices, ending a 12‑year period of lag. Tyler Mordy of Forstrong Global explains...
‘Buffer’ ETFs Prove a Decent Bond Alternative in War-Hit Markets
Buffer ETFs, a $80 billion defined‑outcome fund category, are emerging as a bond alternative amid volatile markets and rising Treasury yields. The largest vehicle, FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF, fell only 1.4% in March versus a 2.7% drop in the S&P 500,...
FOF: Blended Portfolio Proven To Yield Long-Term Results
Cohen & Steers Closed‑End Opportunity Fund (FOF) posted a 25.5% total return over the past year and now offers a 7.6% yield with monthly, tax‑efficient distributions. The fund’s blended portfolio—49% equity, 23% commodities, and the remainder in debt—provides diversification that cushions...
Colorado Considers Legislation to Tax Phantom Income
Colorado’s HB 1221 would overhaul the state’s alternative minimum tax and net operating loss rules, effectively taxing income that has not yet been realized. The bill proposes repealing the AMT credit, creating double taxation on accelerated depreciation and incentive‑stock‑option gains. It...
Why Every Expat in Dubai Should Have a Will
Many expatriates in Dubai own valuable assets but lack a registered will. Without a will, UAE law defaults to Sharia‑based intestate succession, which can divert assets away from intended heirs and freeze bank accounts, property, and businesses. Law No. 2 of...
3 American Century Funds for Long-Term Growth
American Century Investments, founded in 1958, recommends three mutual funds—BIGRX, ASQIX and ARYVX—for long‑term investors. Each fund holds a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of #1, reflecting strong buy signals, and posts solid three‑ and five‑year annualized returns. Their expense ratios...
4 Key Trends Shaping UK Fund Investing in 2026
The 2026 Multi‑Asset Trends report shows UK investors gravitating toward the cheapest allocation funds, with the lowest two fee quintiles now holding roughly two‑thirds of assets. Multi‑asset funds‑of‑funds dominate the market, accounting for about 63% of allocation‑fund assets, driven by...
More Employers Than Ever Are Contributing to Workers’ 401(k) Plans
New ICI and ISS Market Intelligence research shows that 91% of large 401(k) plans offered employer contributions in 2023, up from 85% in 2007. Employer matching accounted for $181 billion, roughly 35% of total contributions to these plans. Plan fees have...
Don’t Inherit a Crisis: How to Manage a Parent’s Debt Before They Pass
Many Canadians mistakenly believe a parent’s debt disappears at death, but it remains in the estate and must be settled before any distribution to heirs. A "deemed disposition" treats all assets as sold at death, often creating large capital‑gain taxes,...
Moving to the U.S.? Your Locked-In RRSP May Not Be as Locked in as You Think
Canadians who relocate to the United States can potentially unlock their locked‑in RRSP (LIRA) after maintaining non‑resident status for at least 24 consecutive months, though eligibility varies by the pension jurisdiction governing the account. Provinces such as Ontario, BC and...
Target-Date CITs Continue to Surpass Mutual Funds
Target‑date collective investment trusts (CITs) now command 54% of the market, overtaking mutual funds for the second consecutive year. The overall target‑date universe expanded 20.3% in 2025, reaching $4.8 trillion, driven by 21 new CIT series that are largely conversions of...
Wealth Management for Entrepreneurs: Services and Examples
Entrepreneurs often tie the bulk of their net worth to their businesses, creating financial complexity that extends beyond daily operations. Wealth management offers a coordinated strategy that blends investment diversification, tax planning, retirement, estate, and risk management to protect and...
The Inheritance Mistake that Can Tear Families Apart
Estate planning often pits equal splits against equitable distributions, especially when adult children have vastly different financial circumstances. Harry Margolis advises parents to address disparities through lifetime assistance or specialized tools rather than altering the will. Strategies like special‑needs trusts...
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-1347124965-caed4aeab46f4ab297f1affa444a3d88.jpg)
Republicans Propose Cutting Capital Gains Taxes on Home Sales to Boost the Housing Market
Republican lawmakers have asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to use executive authority to index capital gains on primary residences to inflation. Indexing would adjust the cost basis, potentially reducing taxable gains for long‑term homeowners, especially higher‑income sellers. The proposal builds...
It’s Not Just What We Own – It’s How We’ve Owned It.
Loomis Sayles emphasizes that true long‑term investing isn’t about dodging market swings but about holding high‑quality companies through them. The Growth Equity Strategies Team outlines a disciplined, differentiated approach to owning great businesses, with performance data current through December 31 2025. The...
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1060422076-478eeaa2708a440da441aed90db754a7.jpg)
Top 4 Total Market Index Funds for Comprehensive U.S. Equity Coverage
Total‑market index funds give investors a single‑ticket exposure to the entire U.S. equity market, tracking benchmarks like the CRSP Total Market Index or Russell 3000. Vanguard VTSAX, Schwab SWTSX, iShares IWV, and Wilshire WFIVX are highlighted for their low fees, diversification,...
CRA Refused to Cancel TFSA Overcontribution Tax
Canadian taxpayers continue to face TFSA overcontribution penalties, highlighted by a recent Federal Court case where the CRA’s denial of relief was upheld. The plaintiff had accumulated over $300,000 in excess contributions between 2021‑2023 and sought a waiver, arguing that...
Financial Planning for Millionaires: Services and Examples
Millionaires require specialized financial planning that shifts focus from accumulation to preservation, tax efficiency, and legacy. Advisors integrate investment management, tax optimization, estate structuring, and risk mitigation, offering access to private equity, hedge funds, and tailored trusts. Strategies such as...
This Is an 'Overlooked Tax Break' For Retirement Savers — and Many Couples Miss It, Advisor Says
A spousal IRA lets a non‑earning spouse open a Roth or traditional IRA, effectively doubling a single‑income household’s tax‑advantaged retirement space. For 2025 the contribution limit is $7,000 plus a $1,000 catch‑up for those 50+, with a hard deadline of...
IRS Updates Withholding Tax Calculator for New Tax Breaks
The IRS has refreshed its Tax Withholding Estimator to incorporate the new credits and deductions introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The updates cover tax breaks for tips, overtime, senior citizens, car‑loan interest, family‑related credits, homeownership and...
DPL Rolls Out New Annuity Review Tool for Fee-Based RIAs
DPL Financial Partners has launched an Annuity Review tool that lets RIAs evaluate entire legacy annuity books in bulk. Since its soft launch in late 2025, advisors have uploaded nearly $1 billion of annuity assets to the platform. The module flags...
Zephyr's Adjusted for Risk: A New Era of Annuities - Insights From David Lau
On Zephyr’s Adjusted for Risk podcast, David Lau, founder and CEO of DPL Financial Partners, outlined how commission‑free annuities are reshaping retirement planning. He highlighted the proliferation of more than 100 low‑cost, fee‑only annuity products that address the growing income...
65 or Older? These 5 Tax Breaks Could Lower Your Taxes This Year
Turning 65 unlocks several tax advantages that can materially lower a senior's federal liability. For 2025 returns, taxpayers 65+ receive an extra $2,000 standard deduction and a temporary senior bonus deduction of up to $6,000 per individual. Additional savings stem...
Anxious About Finances During Global Upheaval? Here’s What You Can Control
Canadian households are being urged to reinforce financial resilience as geopolitical tensions drive up gas, grocery and insurance costs. The article stresses that solid budgeting habits, accessible savings, and disciplined debt management are essential foundations during global upheaval. It recommends...
These 3 States Might End Property Taxes: What Homeowners Should Know
Rising home values—up 45‑55% since 2019—have intensified pressure on property‑tax systems in several states. Florida, Indiana and Texas are each considering measures that would largely eliminate local property taxes, replacing the lost revenue with higher sales taxes, new user fees,...
5 No-Load Mutual Funds With Strong Returns to Watch for 2026
Zacks Investment Research highlights five no‑load mutual funds that combine strong three‑ and five‑year returns with low expense ratios, positioning them as attractive options amid heightened market volatility driven by geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. The funds—spanning precious metals, semiconductors,...
3 Consumer Staples Mutual Funds Amid Inflation, Global Turmoil
The U.S. Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in February, bringing the year‑over‑year CPI to 2.4% while core inflation held steady at 2.5%. Higher inflation typically pressures discretionary spending more than essential consumer staples, whose demand remains relatively inelastic. In this...
Looking for Small-Cap Exposure? 3 Top-Ranked Funds to Watch
Investors seeking high‑growth exposure are turning to small‑cap blend mutual funds, which target companies under $2 billion in market value. Zacks highlights three top‑ranked funds—Nuveen Quant Small Cap Equity, Federated Hermes Mid‑Cap Small Cap Core, and Fidelity Small Cap Stock—each holding...
Value + Quality + Cash Flow Is King
Scott Kaufman of The Dividend Kings explained that dividend‑focused ETFs have surged 12% year‑to‑date as investors rotate from high‑growth, AI‑centric stocks to value‑oriented, cash‑flow‑rich companies. He highlighted that many SaaS and growth names are now overvalued, while low‑break‑even oil producers...
Undervalued S&P 500 Stocks For Growth & Income, or Both (Part 2)
The FAST Graphs video series highlights that despite the S&P 500’s overall high valuation, many constituents remain attractively priced. Chuck Carnevale demonstrates how to use earnings yield, dividend yield, and cash‑flow multiples to pinpoint stocks offering growth, income, or both. Companies such...
What to Consider when Consolidating Your ISA
Investors are being urged to consolidate their stocks and shares ISAs onto a single platform before the tax year ends, leveraging cashback incentives and remaining allowance. Consolidation promises lower overall fees, a unified dashboard, and clearer diversification, while also supporting...
Texas ETFs: Investing in the Lone Star Economy
Texas' economy reached $2.77 trillion in 2024, added 132,500 jobs in 2025 and now ranks as the world’s eighth‑largest, surpassing nations like Canada and South Korea. The state’s pro‑business environment—no personal or corporate income tax, low operating costs, and 54 Fortune 500 headquarters—has...
We're Retired with $1.5 Million, but My Wife Won’t Stop Shopping. Am I Being Cheap, or Are We Going Broke?
A 63‑year‑old retiree with a $1.5 million nest egg and a $60,000 annual withdrawal rate is concerned that his wife’s frequent shoe and perfume purchases are eroding their budget. The couple enjoys dining out and two vacations a year, but the...
Homeownership Accelerates Generational Wealth
Homeownership timing has become a critical driver of wealth in the United States, with the median age of first‑time buyers climbing from 30 in 1990 to 40 in 2025 due to soaring prices and longer savings horizons. Data from the...
You May Still Be Able to Defer Your 2025 Capital Gains
Recent Treasury regulations cement Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) incentives as a permanent tax deferral tool, allowing any capital gain—except ordinary income—to be postponed by reinvesting within 180 days. For direct sales, the clock starts at closing, while partnership and S‑corp...
How Alternative Assets Are Reshaping the IRA: The Rise of Self-Directed Retirement Investing
A recent survey of over 6,000 IRA Financial clients shows self‑directed IRAs are gaining traction as investors seek alternative assets alongside traditional stocks and ETFs. Real estate tops the list at 58.5%, while crypto, private equity and precious metals also...
Cat Bonds Offer Path to Better Diversification Under Total Portfolio Approach: WTW
WTW argues that catastrophe bonds are a prime asset for a Total Portfolio Approach, delivering returns that are uncorrelated with traditional markets and improving diversification. The cat‑bond market is expanding as disaster frequency and severity increase, pushing premiums higher while...
Implications of the Trump Retirement Accounts Proposal
President Trump’s proposed Trump Retirement Accounts (TRA) would offer a federal match up to $1,000 per worker, aiming to extend retirement savings to the 63 million Americans without employer plans. RAND modeling shows the program is deficit‑neutral after 23‑31 years if account...
Advisors Prioritize Customization, Alternatives as ETF Momentum Reshapes 2026 Strategies
Financial advisors are moving toward customized portfolio construction as ETF momentum reshapes investment strategies for 2026. A survey of over 500 advisors shows a clear departure from standardized models toward solutions that address specific client objectives, including tax‑loss harvesting and...
Hong Kong’s Wealth Management Sector Poised for Growth : Research
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s research arm released a study highlighting rapid growth in Hong Kong’s family‑office sector. Ninety‑one percent of surveyed offices have already invested locally, citing the city’s flexible supervision, free capital flows, sophisticated markets and tax advantages....
Inflation Has Broken the Steady 60/40 Portfolio. Bank of America Gives Other Ways to Diversify
Bank of America warns that the classic 60/40 portfolio is faltering in 2026 as inflation and stagflation push stocks and bonds into positive correlation, eroding the model’s defensive edge. The iShares Core 60/40 Balanced Allocation ETF has barely moved YTD...
‘I’m so Screwed’: How Can I Afford to Care for a Mom with Dementia and Se...
A 50‑year‑old caregiver in California faces mounting costs caring for a mother with dementia while funding a teenager’s college. The column highlights that caregivers are not legally required to pay out‑of‑pocket and urges early engagement with local Area Agencies on...
Where It’s Cheaper to Buy a Home than Rent – or Almost the Same Price
Research from Cotality shows that in several Australian metros, especially Melbourne’s city core, buying a unit can be cheaper than renting, with savings of up to $322 per fortnight. In Sydney’s western suburbs, the mortgage premium over rent is as...
The No. 1 Thing to Know Entering Retirement: How Much Are You Really Spending?
Federal employees planning retirement should first quantify their actual spending before tackling Social Security timing, health‑benefit choices, or annuity projections. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows seniors spend about $60,000 annually, often 20‑30% more than their rough estimates. Tracking every...