FINSUM
RBC Lands $560 Million Merrill Lynch Team
RBC Wealth Management’s aggressive recruiting has landed another team. The firm was able to lure Coatoam Wealth Management Group, a $560 million team, away from Merrill Lynch. The team, which is led by Managing Director Brian Coatoam, is joining RBC in their new office in Winter Park, FL. Coatoam has been in the industry for 24 years. He got his start with Advantage Trading Group and worked for Morgan Stanley before joining Merrill Lynch. He leads a six-person team, which includes two Certified Financial Planners, Derek Grimm, and Ryan Plank. RBC, like many firms, is pushing expansion in Florida as the state lures more wealthy investors due to a lack of income and capital gains taxes. RBC had previously announced a father-son advisor team joining its office in Palm Gardens and in January the firm recruited a $1 billion Florida team from Truist.
Finsum:With more wealthy investors moving to Florida, RBC continues its aggressive expansion in the state by recruiting a $560 million Merrill Lynch team.
Is the 60/40 Model Portfolio Dead?
One of the most popular allocations for model portfolios in recent history has been the 60/40 model. A classic allocation with 60% invested in stocks and 40% invested in bonds. Until recently, this model has generated stable returns for investors. However, this year’s brutal returns for both the equity and fixed income markets have investors wondering if the traditional 60/40 model provides adequate protection. In most previous equity downturns, investors have been able to count on bond instruments to hedge negative equity performance due to an inverse relationship between stock returns and bond yields. But this year, investors have been faced with both a down stock market and a hawkish Fed, leading to losses in both asset classes. This has made the 60/40 model seem outdated as of late. While the 60/40 model may not be dead yet, investors may want to consider model portfolios with additional asset classes in the current market environment.
Finsum:With a down stock market and a hawkish Fed, investors may want to reconsider the 60/40 model portfolio.
Investors Can Expect More Economic and Market Volatility
Based on comments made at the Fed's Jackson Hole conference, volatility is here to stay. Many of the economic policymakers who spoke at the conference believe we are entering into a highly volatile economic period. If the last few years, which have included inflation, supply chain disruptions, and back-and-forth growth, weren’t enough, we are likely to see more frequent and larger shocks in the years to come. Plus, the continued hawkish stance from Fed chair Jerome Powell means a reversal in Fed policy isn’t likely any time soon. This means more volatility in the market for the foreseeable future. Investors can no longer rely on central bank rate cuts to support markets during downturns. The Fed is now expected to raise interest rates another 75 basis points during its next policy meeting in September. According to CME Group data, approximately 75% of traders are now pricing a third consecutive increase of 75 basis points.
Finsum:Based on comments made at the Fed's Jackson Hole conference, investors can expect continued economic and market volatility for months and even years to come.
Guaranteed annuities can be the retiring types
A slam dunk of a fixed income stream can sound pretty appetizing to any consumer -- including retirees. Consequently, guaranteed rate annuities can be just the ticket for them, according to annuityexpertadvice.com.
That said, before John Hancocking the dotted line, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the contract terms. After all, you want to circumvent locking into an investment that yields less than satisfactory returns, the site continued.
The sales of multi year guaranteed annuities have surged this year, according to lifehealth.com. First quarter sales chimed in at $14.5 billion, a hike of 30.1% compared to the quarter before.
According to industry surveys, seeing the money well run dry’s the top fear among most retirees, stated winkintel.com.
“Annuities play a critical role as a safe money alternative for so many seniors, especially in our current environment of market volatility,” said Chris Conroy, IAMS’ executive vice president and general counsel.
Intrigued by fresh companies with ideas that jump off the page? Small cap ETFs might be in your wheelhouse
The idea of new companies with capitating ideas and a high ceiling for growth wet your whistle? Small cap ETFs might be just your ticket, according to benzinga.com.
Opposed to large cap companies, the likelihood of exponential gains among small cap stocks is greater. On top of that, many smaller cap companies aren’t yet in the wheelhouse of institutional investors, the site continued. Plucking down cash on only a firm or two probably isn’t a sage move since smaller firms experience a certain rate of hitting the skids
Make way for small cap ETFs.
Best Small Cap ETFs:
The Best Overall: iShares Russell 2000 ETF
The Best for Active Traders: iShares Core S&P Small Cap ETF
The Best International Fund: Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-U.S. Small Cap ETF
The Best Growth Fund: SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF
The Best Value Fund: Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF
The Best Fund for Income: WisdomTree U.S. Small Cap Dividend ETF
According to thestreet.com, the Schwab U.S. Small Cap ETF is the top small cap ETF to add to your portfolio. While it tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index, it's not the S&P 600 Small Cap index or the Russell 2000. However, when it comes to exposure, it’s essentially the same.