Small-cap stocks, typically valued between $250 million and $2 billion, are regaining popularity among investors after years of underperformance. Economic growth plays a significant role in this resurgence, as smaller firms tend to benefit more from increased consumer and business spending. 

Additionally, the Federal Reserve's recent rate cuts are expected to lower borrowing costs, a crucial factor for small businesses that rely heavily on credit. Another driver of renewed interest is valuation—many analysts believe small caps are undervalued compared to their larger counterparts. 

For investors seeking exposure while mitigating risk, small-cap ETFs like Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK), iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (ISCG), and Invesco S&P SmallCap Momentum ETF (XSMO) offer diversification and professional management. 

Finsum: With economic growth in recent quarters, small caps may continue to gain traction in the coming years.

In 2024, travel transformed with AI-assisted trip planning, a resurgence of luxury train journeys, and a growing emphasis on wellness through solitude and stargazing. Urban explorers embraced green spaces and foraged dining, while music enthusiasts traveled extensively for live performances. 

As 2025 approaches, the focus will shift toward deeper, experience-driven adventures. Literature-inspired tourism is on the rise, with book festivals attracting larger crowds and hotels celebrating their literary connections. 

Astrocartography is gaining traction, guiding travelers to destinations aligned with their personal astrological charts. Meanwhile, honeymoons are becoming more immersive, with newlyweds favoring extended, meaningful getaways over traditional weeklong retreats.

Finsum: While everyone is implementing AI to improve efficiency, don’t forget to leverage it for personal matters such as gift and vacation ideas. 

The debate over custodial pricing continues, with many questioning whether bundling all revenue sources into a single fee is fair. Since custodians don’t face significantly higher costs for a $10 million account versus a $100,000 one, a pay-for-services-used model may be more equitable. 

Another pressing issue is the slow adoption of automated onboarding, as many custodians still require paper forms and wet signatures despite available digital alternatives. Some speculate that firms hesitate to streamline transfers because it would make it easier for advisors to switch custodians, reducing client stickiness. 

Beyond pricing and onboarding, factors like service quality, cost, and additional features—such as dedicated support teams or integrated technology—shape custodian selection. 

Finsum: As the industry evolves, understanding these priorities will be key to creating a more efficient and competitive custodial marketplace.

Hedge funds saw mixed results in February as market volatility surged amid trade tariff uncertainties. Fixed-income strategies performed well, benefiting from falling interest rates, while macro and equity hedge funds struggled due to sharp declines in technology stocks. 

The HFRI Fund Weighted Composite Index fell 0.47%, with relative value arbitrage and event-driven strategies posting gains that were outweighed by broader declines. Cryptocurrency funds took a significant hit, with the HFR Cryptocurrency Index dropping 16.8% as volatility spiked. 

Meanwhile, event-driven funds gained modestly, and fixed-income strategies extended their winning streak, marking another month of positive returns. 

Finsum: As hedge funds navigate volatile conditions, their ability to adapt remains key to delivering returns in uncertain markets.

Americans today allocate a larger share of their wealth to the stock market than in previous decades, a shift largely driven by the rise of target date funds (TDFs). These funds, which automatically adjust their asset mix as investors age, have become the default option in many workplace retirement plans since the mid-2000s. 

Research from MIT Sloan suggests that the widespread adoption of TDFs has led younger investors to hold more equities than they might have otherwise. The 2006 Pension Protection Act played a key role in this trend by allowing employers to use TDFs as default retirement investments, increasing participation in equity-heavy portfolios. 

While the impact of TDFs is strongest in the early years of enrollment, many older investors have also gradually shifted toward similar investment strategies. As TDFs continue gaining popularity, they could contribute to market stability by influencing stock price movements and reducing volatility over time.

Finsum: The default 60/40 portfolio is too passive for many young investors and holding larger equity younger, could accelerate their savings.