The state of television was in flux as writers and actors were on strike in 2023, but elevated television is in an incredible place. Here are the three best shows of the year so far: 

1. "House of the Dragon" is a must-watch for fans of the "Game of Thrones" universe, delivering rich storytelling and complex characters set in the politically charged world of Westeros. With stunning visuals and a gripping plot, this prequel dives deep into the history of House Targaryen, providing context and depth to the lore fans love. 
2. "Presumed Innocent," a legal drama based on Scott Turow's novel, captivates viewers with its intricate plot and intense courtroom scenes, exploring themes of justice, betrayal, and morality. The show's strong performances and clever twists make it a compelling watch for anyone who enjoys a good mystery. 
3. Lastly, "Ren Faire" offers a delightful escape into the whimsical world of Renaissance fairs, blending humor and heart. The series captures the unique culture and vibrant community of these events, making it both entertaining and endearing. 

Finsum: We are seeing really interesting trends develop in the TV landscape and straight forward dramas like presumed innocent might be making a comeback. 

When financial advisors decide to change their broker-dealer, they often face the challenge of transitioning their clients smoothly. Many worry about the paperwork, duration, and impact on revenue.

 Insights from advisors who transitioned to Osaic Wealth reveal that 75%-100% of clients typically move with them, and the process takes about 60-90 days, though some clients move later. Having dedicated support is crucial.

Proper preparation, clear client communication, and understanding new systems are key to a successful transition. Advisors also note that initial revenue may drop but generally stabilizes or increases within a year.

Finsum: Leveraging the new BD and technology can really aid in the transition.

Interval funds continue to gain popularity as investors become familiar with their benefits. New interval fund launches have increased since 2017, with 2024 on track for a record number. 

Assets under management have grown 40% annually, reaching $80 billion by April 2024. These funds offer daily NAV pricing and subscription, but limit redemptions to quarterly intervals. This structure allows for investments in higher-return assets, better alignment of assets and liabilities, opportunistic buying, longer investment horizons for catalyst realization, and greater visibility of redemption requests. 

Overall, interval funds combine traditional mutual fund features with unique advantages like a longer horizon allowing markets to less liquid investments. 

Finsum: Interval funds offer a goldilocks like solution for certain investors. 

As the MLB playoffs heat up, several teams are making significant strides towards the postseason. In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees are tied in their division, with strong performances bolstering their playoff aspirations. The Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians are also in a solid position, holding a key spot in the AL Central.

Over in the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers are dominant forces, both maintaining impressive records and positioning themselves well for deep playoff runs. The Milwaukee Brewers are not far behind, showcasing a balanced mix of pitching and offense that could make them formidable opponents.

Wildcard races are particularly intense this year, with teams like the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres fighting hard to secure their postseason spots. Both teams have shown resilience, bouncing back from mid-season slumps to stay in contention.

Finsum: LA looks like the most secure place to catch the playoffs in 2024

The 2024 Paris Olympics have already produced memorable moments. Team USA's women's gymnastics team, led by Simone Biles, won gold. South Korea's Ye-ji Kim became an internet sensation for her performance in the women's 10-meter air pistol. 

Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez revealed she competed while seven months pregnant. The US men's gymnastics team won its first medal in 16 years, thanks to Stephen Nedoroscik's performance. Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh earned her first gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley. 

Former NBA player Chase Budinger won his first Olympic beach volleyball match. France’s Leon Marchand set a new record in the 400-meter individual medley.

Finsum: The streaming era has ushered in a new wave of fandom for typically unwatched events.

As the $1.7 trillion private credit industry faces a significant fundraising slump, firms like Adams Street Partners, Antares Holdings, and Hayfin Capital Management are focusing on Latin America. They're targeting pension funds and wealthy individuals. 

Philippe Stiernon of ROAM Capital notes that scarce capital in the US and Europe is pushing managers to diversify. With institutional investors in the US and Europe at saturation points, funds are exploring Latin America for new growth. 

This region offers safer investments compared to its volatile domestic debt markets. Stiernon describes Latin America as "the last major frontier for LP growth" in the alternative investments landscape.

Finsum: This presents an opportunity to ultra diversify and get truly uncorrelated turns as we move into a potentially tumultuous election cycle. 

Actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are projected to quadruple their assets to $4 trillion globally by 2030, according to BlackRock. 

These funds are gaining traction, making up 70% of U.S.-listed ETF launches in the first half of 2024, driven by investor demand for strategies that can navigate market volatility and offer potential outperformance. The growth of active ETFs has been facilitated by a 2019 SEC regulatory change, which lowered barriers to entry and encouraged innovation.

Despite their higher costs, active ETFs are increasingly popular for their tax efficiency and flexibility. BlackRock projects the overall ETF industry will double its assets to $25 trillion by 2030.

Finsum: Volatility is driving a lot of active investment inflows, but this trend is set to continue as so much uncertainty remains. 

The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady during its two-day policy meeting this week but signal potential rate cuts as soon as September, acknowledging that inflation is nearing the 2% target. 

Recent data shows easing price pressures, with the PCE price index rising at just 1.5% annualized since March. Fed officials may change their inflation description from "elevated" to "moderately elevated," reflecting confidence that inflation will continue to decline. 

Policymakers believe rate cuts might be necessary before inflation fully returns to the target. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference following the policy statement release detailing the future path of policy. 

Finsum: The market is still pricing in two more cuts by the end of the year, we’ll see if that comes to fruition. 

The New York Times has curated a list of the 100 best books of the 21st century, showcasing a diverse range of voices and genres. This prestigious selection includes works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and graphic novels that have made a significant impact on literature and culture. 

Topping the list is “My brilliant Friend: A Novel” by Elena Ferrante, who features three books on the list. Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma," book is a deep dive into the complexities of the modern food industry. The list also features influential memoirs such as "Educated" by Tara Westover and groundbreaking novels like "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. 

Each book on the list is celebrated for its storytelling, insight, and contribution to the literary landscape. This compilation serves as a testament to the rich and evolving nature of contemporary literature.

Finsum: The number nine and ten spots highlight two wonderful dystopian novels “Never Let Me Go” and “Station Eleven” 

Since their launch three decades ago, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have become a favored investment vehicle. ETFs, which trade like stocks but hold baskets of securities, saw significant growth in 2024, with more money flowing into ETFs than individual stocks. 

U.S.-based ETF assets hit a record $9 trillion in May, experiencing net inflows while mutual funds saw outflows. Investors are attracted to ETFs due to their low cost, ease of trading, and tax efficiency. The recent approval of cryptocurrency ETFs has further boosted their popularity, while actively managed ETFs are also on the rise. 

The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) offers broad exposure to large-cap U.S. stocks at a low expense ratio of 0.03%. The iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) provides access to mid-cap companies with no overlap with large-cap holdings. The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) focuses on profitable small-cap companies, giving it a high-quality tilt that has outpaced the Russell 2000 in recent years.

Finsum: Cost effective ETFs are also great tools to get market segmentation exposure.