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Friday, 11 June 2021 15:45

Why High Yield Bonds are at Risk

(New York)

There has been a lot of worry about bond prices recently. With inflation rising steeply and the bond market still regaining its footing, it is easy to worry about another sharp selloff. Because junk bonds are on the riskier end of the fixed income spectrum, many think there is more risk in this area. However, the opposite is true, especially in a rising economy. Because they tend to have higher yields and shorter terms, junk bonds naturally have less rate risk. Additionally, because of their underlying financials, junk bonds have a lot to gain in a rising economy. For example, they may be likely to get upgraded, and because of their relatively weak financial positioning to begin with, even minor gains can mean substantial valuation improvements.


FINSUM: If you need income, then high yield bonds are one of the best bets given their natural rate hedging and their potential for significant financial improvement.

Friday, 11 June 2021 15:44

Why This Commodities Boom Will Last

(Houston)

The commodities boom has been going on since at least late last year, but the big question is where the booms in many underlying raw materials can last. At least as it concerns major commodities like oil, minerals, and lumber, the answer is a big yes. The reason why is that the current boom has to do with underinvestment in production over the last 18 months, a problem that is hard to solve quickly. This means demand will outstrip supply for the foreseeable future in many areas. Lumber is a good example, where underinvestment has led to soaring prices.


FINSUM: Capital has not been adequately invested to meet the demand of consumers and prices are showing it. Equilibrium will take some find to find. There is a nice runway for commodities.

Friday, 11 June 2021 15:43

Gold is Getting Interesting

(New York)

With the huge CPI number hitting the tape yesterday, gold had a predictable reaction: it rose. Since bottoming out a few months ago in the $1,600 range, it has since risen to over $1,900 as inflation fears have picked up. However, inflation is not the only thing driving the metal, as the Fed is playing a big role too. If the Fed stays dovish, and therefore the path of rates looks to stay low, then gold is in a great position—higher inflation with little rate risk from the Fed.


FINSUM: Gold is in a good spot. The Fed will only start hiking if inflation really jumps, which would push gold higher anyway. If inflation is more mild, then at least their won’t be rate pressure.

By Duncan MacDonald-Korth, CEO, AdvisorTarget

In this series, Duncan MacDonald-Korth, CEO of AdvisorTarget, shares insights on how intent data and predictive analytics can anticipate financial advisor data intelligence.

Data packs, or asset data, may be considered the only insight asset managers have into what advisors buy; but they are also a systemic issue in our industry that create a unique set of problems. The following are only a subset of why accessing data like this isn't enough to drive your company's revenue.

1. Asset Manager Reputation is Negatively Impacted

Data packs have a negative impact on advisors—ask any advisor and they will complain about how data packs annoy them.

Take this typical scenario from a top producer at a wirehouse in New York City: “Like clockwork, a few weeks after I make a trade, say for an investment grade bond fund, I get calls from 30+ wholesalers in the same week trying to sell me the same product. I can’t tell you how annoying that is.”

This hurts asset managers’ reputations with advisors. Instead of buying the product, advisors shun all calls from wholesalers.

2. Retrospective Data is Limited

Asset data is, by definition, retrospective. It can tell you what has happened but gives little insight into what will happen next.

This has the effect of creating dead-end feedback loops in which wholesalers pitch advisors on the products they have already bought.

3. Intent Data is Key

While asset-level data is highly valuable, true utility exists in knowing what advisors intend to do next. This is where intent data on advisors comes into play.

Instead of guessing what an advisor might buy, or pitching them products they recently purchased, asset managers can use intent data to get into the mind of advisors and sell them products in which they are showing active interest.

For example, imagine you are a travel agent. Would you want to try to sell vacations to people who have already purchased their vacation packages, or would you rather know which destinations clients are currently researching? It’s about what’s next.

Simply put, asset data is not enough to drive product distribution. To accelerate distribution and increase AUM, asset managers need to embrace data and technology to build effective distribution tools. Data-driven relationship marketing strengthens your advisor relationships because you are using predictive analytics to execute on the best next action through all stages in the sales cycle.

Empower your wholesalers with access to predictive financial advisor data intelligence. AdvisorTarget & Discovery Data: Predictive behavioral insight on the now. Actionable intent for the next.

The next generation of investors want diversity and green investments, but how do they want that delivered?…see the full story on our partner Positivly’s site

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