Scott Bessent, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, emphasized the critical importance of maintaining the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency during his testimony to the Senate Finance Committee. 

He advocated for prioritizing productive investments over wasteful spending to stimulate economic growth while addressing vulnerabilities in supply chains and strategically using sanctions for national security. Bessent reiterated support for making Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, warning of a historic $4 trillion tax hike if Congress fails to act. 

He also outlined plans for pro-growth policies, including reducing the corporate tax rate to 15% for U.S.-based manufacturers and exempting tips and Social Security income from taxation. Bessent underscored Trump's aggressive tariff plans to counter perceived unfair trade practices and strengthen domestic industries. 

Finsum: This administration could usher in a transformative era but we’ll see how tariffs and tax cuts off set for economic Growth. 

Public pension funds, including CalSTRS and LACERA, are enlisting consultants and specialists to navigate the intricate structures used by private equity firms to extend the lifespan of investments. LACERA, managing $82 billion as of November, has allocated resources for a new role focused on operational due diligence within its private markets portfolio. 

With private equity increasingly relying on financial engineering, experts stress the need for limited partners to stay informed to adapt to these complex arrangements. Examples of strained assets rolled into continuation vehicles, like Upstream and United Site Services, highlight the challenges of managing leveraged investments in a high-interest-rate environment.

Despite these pressures, some private equity firms, such as Audax, maintain optimism about long-term recovery through operational improvements and strategic adjustments. 

Finsum: Although pockets of distress exist, we remain confident in the resilience of private markets and their ability to weather economic headwinds.

The private credit market faces significant risks due to relaxed lending standards and the influx of capital, warns Nick Moakes of the Wellcome Trust. He anticipates substantial losses for investors if the U.S. economy enters a recession. 

While private credit is less systemically risky than traditional banking, diminished checks on borrowing have raised concerns. Rating agency KBRA projects defaults in the sector to rise to 3% by 2025, driven by higher interest rates and vulnerable business models. 

Moakes also criticized large alternative asset managers, noting their focus on asset growth may not align with investor interests. Despite the risks, the Wellcome Trust avoids direct private credit investments but monitors the market through its private equity allocations.

Finsum: With rates moves slowing down we think private credit could have an advantage over traditional fixed income products. 

Despite the ongoing challenges in the residential REIT sector, some companies are well-positioned to benefit from strong demand and strategic advantages. Equity LifeStyle Properties, for example, focuses on manufactured home communities and RV resorts in high-demand locations, benefiting from favorable demographics and constrained supply. 

Veris Residential, with a modern Class A portfolio and a tech-driven approach, is poised to capitalize on scalable growth in the Northeast market. UMH Properties, which operates manufactured home communities across several states, is likely to see continued demand, particularly due to high mortgage rates that make renting a more viable option for many. 

These REITs are leveraging technology to enhance operations and optimize revenue, allowing them to adapt to evolving market dynamics. 

Finsum: Including an influx of new rental units and increased concessions, these companies offer strong prospects for future growth.

Last year may have felt like an uphill battle, but with the right strategies, 2025 could be transformative. The key difference between where you are now and the best version of yourself lies in the connections you make and the knowledge you gain. Start building relationships and immerse yourself in powerful ideas by reading books that challenge your perspective. 

Five standout business books to inspire your growth this year include Simon Squibb’s "What’s Your Dream?", which offers a roadmap for turning aspirations into reality, and Rob Dix’s "Seven Myths About Money," which debunks outdated financial advice. For a holistic approach, Sahil Bloom’s "The 5 Types of Wealth" teaches how to balance time, health, relationships, and finances. 

Mel Robbins’ "The Let Them Theory" helps you focus on your goals while letting go of distractions, and Reid Hoffman and Greg Beato’s "Superagency" explores the transformative potential of AI in shaping a better future. With these books in hand, 2025 can be your breakthrough year.

Finsum: These books offer a well rounded approach that could spark both ideas and conversational topics with clients. 

The wealth management industry is at a critical juncture, as the retirement of over 109,000 financial advisors in the next decade coincides with the Great Wealth Transfer, presenting a unique opportunity for firms to secure trillions in assets. 

High-net-worth clients, a key growth segment, are raising the bar with their expectations for personalized, holistic financial solutions that address complex needs like estate planning, tax optimization, and ESG-aligned investments. To stand out, advisors must deepen client relationships, focusing on understanding values, family dynamics, and long-term goals to foster trust and loyalty. 

Expanding service offerings such as direct indexing, alternative investments, and foreign currency management allows advisors to cater to sophisticated client demands while optimizing for customization and after-tax returns. 

Finsum: By aligning advanced solutions with client preferences, advisors can not only retain existing clients but also attract new ones, solidifying their competitive edge.

As Donald Trump prepares for his second term, his pro-crypto stance, including plans for a Bitcoin strategic reserve, raises concerns about government control over decentralized finance. While Bitcoin was created as a rebellion against centralized authority, Trump's embrace of it signals a potential shift toward institutionalization and state dominance. 

Policies like incentivizing miners to move to the U.S. and strict regulatory measures could centralize Bitcoin’s network, undermining its decentralized ethos. Government partnerships with major crypto firms risk turning Bitcoin into a tool of surveillance and control, echoing Silicon Valley’s transformation into a hub for surveillance capitalism. 

This trajectory threatens Bitcoin’s identity, potentially splitting the community between “official” and underground versions of the currency. 

Finsum: Bitcoin’s reputation remains as important as ever in its ability to navigate regulatory challenges in 2025. 

Insider purchases are often scrutinized by investors as they can offer insights into a company's long-term prospects. Insiders, such as company officers, directors, and significant shareholders, typically have access to valuable internal information and are subject to strict rules regarding their trades. 

Recently, notable insider activity has been observed in large-cap companies like FedEx, Casey's General Stores, and Centene. For instance, FedEx's CFO purchased 1,000 shares, a transaction totaling nearly $275,000, reflecting confidence despite the company's recent underperformance. 

Casey's General Stores saw a director buy 500 shares worth almost $200,000, showing strong support as the stock outperforms the S&P 500. Meanwhile, Centene saw several insiders invest roughly $1.6 million, although analysts remain cautious about its near-term outlook due to recent struggles.

Finsum: This could be a critical time to invest in large cap because macro factors could be pointing their direction. 

The defined contribution (DC) landscape is poised for transformative change, driven by advancements in retirement income solutions, small employer plans, and the integration of retirement and wealth management. 

Retirement income strategies have reached a pivotal moment, with a surge in participant demand, regulatory support, and innovative solutions like market-based, annuity, and hybrid options redefining how retirees access income. Meanwhile, small employer plans are experiencing rapid growth, fueled by state mandates, tax incentives, and scalable technology, democratizing retirement savings access for workers in smaller businesses. 

The convergence of retirement and wealth management is reshaping financial planning by integrating holistic strategies that address retirement, investment, and estate planning needs. Enhanced digital tools and scalable platforms are making these services more accessible, enabling firms to provide personalized, institutional-quality financial solutions.

 As the industry evolves, collaboration among stakeholders is critical to ensure these innovations translate into improved outcomes for U.S. workers. 

Finsum: By embracing these shifts, the DC ecosystem can help deliver financial security and peace of mind to a broader audience.

Dividend investors may find the S&P 500's current 1.2% yield underwhelming, but targeted ETFs offer an appealing solution. The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF delivers a 3.6% yield by focusing on high-quality companies with strong financials and a history of at least 10 consecutive years of dividend growth. 

Alternatively, the SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF emphasizes pure yield, offering a 4.3% yield by selecting the 80 highest-yielding stocks in the S&P 500. While the Schwab ETF prioritizes financial strength and diversification, the SPDR ETF leans into concentrated sectors like real estate and utilities, introducing some risk. 

Pairing the two ETFs can balance yield and quality, creating a diversified income stream for investors. 

Finsum: For those pursuing passive income, these ETFs provide accessible, tailored options that cater to varying investment goals and risk tolerances.