FINSUM
Millennials Are Diving Into Alts
Young, wealthy investors (ages 21-43) are gravitating towards alternative assets like hedge funds, private equity, and crypto, with nearly one-third of their portfolios in these categories.
They allocate less than half of their portfolios to traditional stocks and bonds, contrasting with older investors who prefer these conventional investments. This younger generation's investment preferences are shaped by greater access to diverse asset classes and experiences like the financial crisis.
They also hold higher cash allocations for liquidity, despite the potential risks of underinvesting. Diversifying into alternatives comes with unique costs and risks, including higher management fees and illiquidity.
Finsum: The introduction of crypto and many web 3.0 products have really spurned the growth of alts for younger investors.
Top Tips When Switching Firms
Advisors often hesitate to switch firms due to fears of client attrition and contractual issues, even when better opportunities exist. Clients, however, are generally supportive of changes when benefits are clearly communicated.
The transition process is still cumbersome, involving new paperwork and logins, despite technological advances. Effective communication about the long-term advantages of the move can mitigate client concerns.
Partnering with a firm experienced in advisor transitions can help streamline the process. Understanding and managing perceptions can lead to a smoother transition and higher client retention.
Finsum: The right affiliate can make this transition much smoother so consider this when making the jump.
Biggest Trends in Home Cooking
Home cooks always have new ingredients and methods to explore but balancing curiosity with reliable recipes and limited time is challenging. Recent surveys reveal a trend towards quick, budget-friendly meals, with 54% of home cooks focusing on time-saving and low-effort recipes.
"Quick and easy" dishes are those taking 30 minutes or less, and simplicity in ingredients is increasingly preferred. Creative recipe mash-ups and pantry-friendly cooking are on the rise. Additionally, international ingredients are becoming more accessible, encouraging home cooks to experiment with global flavors.
Many professional cooks are seeing the benefits of incorporating a many different international options for a new twist and elevating the culinary experience.
Finsum: These diverse options could help round out the kitchen for your next meals.
Could Private Equity Bubble Pop
Private equity markets, lacking transparent pricing, may be nearing a downturn despite their lack of observable bubbles. The influx of capital over recent decades has led to inflated valuations, with private equity assets soaring to $3.5 trillion by 2023.
Rising interest rates threaten the industry, which thrived in low-rate environments, potentially leading to poor returns and capital shortages. Pension funds, heavily invested in private equity, face significant risks, impacting both retirees and taxpayers.
The sector's rapid expansion could have long-term negative economic effects as it adjusts to new financial conditions. The deflation of the private equity market, although gradual, could still result in significant economic challenges.
Finsum: With a possible cut on the horizon there is still a possibility of sustainability.
Energy Boost From Falling Rates
Crude oil futures climbed on Thursday, buoyed by easing inflation data. The consumer price index dropped 0.1% in June, reducing the annual rate to 3%, which raised hopes for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in September.
Lower interest rates typically boost economic growth, potentially increasing oil demand. Meanwhile, mixed signals on global oil demand emerged, with the International Energy Agency forecasting slower growth compared to OPEC's more optimistic outlook.
West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude both saw price increases, while natural gas prices fell. Overall, the oil future looks fairly positive with potential increased demand.
Finsum: It is potentially shaping up to be a strong fall for energy prices if we see a rate hike.