Navigating a lengthy wine list can feel overwhelming, but with some tips from a sommelier, it becomes a lot easier. 

• One common mistake is ordering a wine you could easily buy at your local store—dining out is a chance to try something new and unique. 

• Wines from popular regions like Napa Valley and Bordeaux are often overpriced, so consider exploring lesser-known areas nearby for more affordable, quality options. For example, wines from Cahors or Anderson Valley are great alternatives.

• Sticking to familiar white wines like chardonnay or sauvignon blanc can limit your experience; instead, try venturing into Italian regions like Sicily, Collio, or Lugana for fresh and interesting varieties. These lesser-known regions offer hidden gems that can elevate your wine journey.

Finsum: These are excellent tips to maximize your dining experience when it comes to wine tasting

Nvidia's stock surge has had an outsized influence on the S&P 500 this year, accounting for nearly a quarter of the index's 17% gain. The company's 140% rise, driven by strong demand for its AI chips, has been a key market driver, with a single-day 8.2% rally lifting the S&P 500 to its biggest gain in almost two years. 

Investors are concerned that a downturn in Nvidia could drag the broader market down, as the index has struggled to rise on days when the chipmaker's shares decline. 

Nvidia’s dominance in the options market, where it accounts for up to 30% of daily stock options volume, has further amplified its stock movements. Analysts warn that if demand for Nvidia's products weakens, it could trigger a broader market sell-off.

Finsum: Investors need to consider how options plays can lead to better outcomes for their portfolios, and situational plays that compliment their current book.

The 2024 NFL season is already in full swing, but it’s the growing emphasis on international games that is catching people’s eye. The season kicked off internationally in São Paulo on Sept. 6, when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers week one. 

On Oct. 6, the NFL returns to London with the Minnesota Vikings playing the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the only NFL-specific stadium outside the U.S. The following week, the Chicago Bears meet the Jacksonville Jaguars, also at Tottenham. London's Wembley Stadium will then host the Jaguars and New England Patriots on Oct. 20, with the Jaguars playing two consecutive U.K. games. 

Germany’s Allianz Arena in Munich will feature the Carolina Panthers versus the New York Giants on Nov. 10, continuing the league's commitment to German fans. In recent years, the NFL has pushed to broaden its reach overseas, with growing interest and potential for more games in new markets beyond these established locations.

Finsum: This coupled with the NFL pathway program begs the question as to whether the NFL is going to have a team located in Europe in the coming years.

Many financial advisors struggle with the idea of their own retirement due to a fear of losing identity and purpose, leading to delayed succession planning. Casey Jorgensen, head of the Dynasty Institute for Adaptive Leadership, emphasizes the psychological barriers that keep advisors working past their prime. 

Advisors often fear losing their sense of self and purpose, contributing to delayed transitions and frustrated potential successors. Dynasty Financial Partners focuses on the emotional aspects of retirement in its advisor succession planning efforts, encouraging advisors to plan not just for what they’re leaving behind, but for what lies ahead. 

Failure to prepare adequately for retirement can negatively impact a firm’s growth and valuation as aging clients distribute assets. Jorgensen encourages advisors to develop a post-career plan to maintain a sense of purpose after stepping down from their careers.

Finsum: A successful succession plan is not only fruitful for the company but for advisors as well and can give other clients confidence. 

As fashion trends evolve, formalwear has become less of a staple in closets, with many preferring suits that reflect personal style rather than uniformity. Bespoke suits offer full customization but are highly expensive, whereas made-to-measure suits strike a balance by tailoring standard patterns to an individual's measurements. 

This option provides flexibility in materials, colors, and accessories while being more cost-effective. Ordering made-to-measure suits online is convenient but lacks the precision of in-person fittings. Understanding the construction of suits, from fused to full canvas, is crucial in selecting one that will age well and maintain its shape. 

Additionally, suiting fabrics like wool, cotton, and linen offer different benefits in breathability, durability, and seasonal suitability, while polyester blends remain a budget-friendly choice.

Finsum: Our favorite made-to-measure option is J. Mueser, but there are great options at a variety of price points in most metropolitan markets. 

Gasoline prices in the U.S. are projected to drop below $3 per gallon for the first time in over three years, offering relief to consumers grappling with inflation. Lower fuel costs are a positive sign for Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats as they head into the presidential election season.

 Analysts attribute the price decline to weaker fuel demand and falling oil prices, with national averages already decreasing from a year ago. Patrick De Haan from GasBuddy suggests prices will continue to fall as winter-grade fuels become available. 

Studies indicate that presidential approval ratings are often tied to gas prices, making this drop a potential boost for Harris’s campaign. However, global oil dynamics and events like Hurricane Francine could still impact prices.

Finsum: Inflation is still an ongoing issue heading into the election and gas prices are the center of the target.

The United States needs an "all-of-the-above" approach to meet the growing global energy demand, highlighting their own role as the largest producer and exporter of energy worldwide according to Rob Thummel of Tortoise.  

He notes that the U.S. has an abundance of low-cost, low-carbon energy options, which he views as critical for supporting economic growth both domestically and internationally. According to Thummel, U.S. energy resources help expand other economies while also driving growth at home. 

Additionally, he links the availability of affordable energy to the resurgence of advanced manufacturing and AI development in the U.S. This broad energy strategy, he argues, positions the country to lead in both innovation and economic stability.

Finsum: AI is going to have a drastic impact on the demand for energy in the coming years and with or without structural changes this will move markets in energy prices.

The Bloomberg Compact Index Series offers a novel approach to index investing by balancing exposure across all market sectors with a limited number of securities. Unlike traditional market-cap-weighted indices, these indices minimize concentration risk by equally weighting the two largest stocks from each sector, resulting in reduced volatility and higher risk-adjusted returns. 

They simplify the process of monitoring and rebalancing by maintaining a straightforward, transparent methodology with fewer securities. This streamlined structure also enhances sector diversification by including only top-tier companies based on their market cap and primary revenue sources. 

Additionally, these indices are designed to be more resilient during market downturns, featuring high-quality companies that can better withstand economic fluctuations.

Finsum: This is a really interesting strategy and speaks to the wealth of opportunities in custom and direct indexing markets.

Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund (CCLFX), a diversified interval fund specializing in corporate middle market direct lending, has successfully completed its seventh offering of privately placed Senior Secured Notes, raising $1.37 billion. 

The Notes, which are secured by the Fund’s assets and have staggered maturities ranging from 3 to 12 years, will help support continued growth as the Fund's net assets increase in line with equity inflows. As of July 31, 2024, CCLFX reported over $21.2 billion in net assets, up from $15.6 billion at the end of 2023, demonstrating its robust expansion. 

Operating as an interval fund, CCLFX offers investors exposure to a diversified portfolio of loans, primarily in first lien senior secured positions, and focuses on generating consistent income with low price volatility. This recent transaction highlights the Fund's effective use of debt capital markets to finance its strategy.

Finsum: We have seen a huge uptick in popularity of interval funds and are projected to hit big targets in the coming years.

With persistently high interest rates, investors are increasingly turning to fixed-income separately managed accounts (SMAs) for their potential tax advantages and personalized portfolio options. SMAs give investors direct ownership of underlying securities, offering greater control over capital gains, tax-loss harvesting, and tax-efficient investment selection. 

Fixed-income SMAs can minimize tax liabilities through strategies like low portfolio turnover, selective tax-loss harvesting, and investment choices based on location-specific tax exemptions. 

While tailoring portfolios for various client types, portfolio managers must balance customization with operational efficiency to meet expectations and maintain consistent performance. The key is to achieve tax efficiency without compromising on investment goals or client-specific outcomes.

Finsum: Investors should think of the tax advantages as additional returns their accounts can optimize for their portfolio.