Wealth Management
Emerging-market stocks declined for a third straight day as anxiety mounted over President Trump’s upcoming global tariff rollout. The benchmark index for developing-nation equities dropped 1.6%, hitting its lowest intraday level since mid-March, with Taiwan’s Taiex plummeting 4.2% and officially entering correction territory.
Investors across the globe pulled back ahead of the April 2 tariff deadline and a week packed with key U.S. economic data, including Friday’s jobs report. Strategists from Brown Brothers Harriman expect strong U.S. data to lift the dollar and continue pressuring emerging-market currencies.
Despite this week’s volatility, emerging-market assets are on track to post quarterly gains, aided by a softer dollar and hopes of a slowing U.S. economy. Meanwhile, South Africa’s rand rose on signs of a potential budget agreement, and Thai officials reassured investors of economic stability following a damaging earthquake in Myanmar.
Finsum: Without a roll back in tariffs, emerging markets are going to be difficult to navigate in the coming months.
Bitcoin climbed over 2% on Friday to $83,959, outperforming equities after China announced retaliatory tariffs against U.S. goods. While most major cryptocurrencies like Solana and Dogecoin also gained around 6%, crypto-related stocks such as Coinbase fell, though MicroStrategy rose nearly 4%.
Analysts suggest the decentralized nature of crypto may insulate it from geopolitical shocks, potentially attracting capital away from traditional markets.
Investors reacted sharply to escalating trade tensions, with China’s 34% levy mirroring Trump’s earlier tariff hike, further pressuring U.S. markets. Despite recent volatility, bitcoin has held steady in the $80,000–$90,000 range, showing resilience compared to stocks.
Finsum: As global trade realigns and dollar reliance weakens, bitcoin is increasingly seen as both a liquidity source and a hedge against uncertainty.
Financial advisors juggle many roles, but more than anything, they’re seeking balance in their businesses. At LPL’s Advisor Summit, over half of top advisors defined success not by earnings or impact, but by achieving that elusive balance.
Creating a detailed and regularly updated business plan—including a succession strategy—can help streamline operations and uncover growth opportunities. Advisors can also build a more balanced and sustainable business by cultivating a strong internal culture and investing in their team’s development.
Periodically “right-sizing” the client book ensures time and energy are focused on clients who align with the advisor’s vision and service model.
Finsum: Taken together, these steps free up resources to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional service to clients.
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In a high-inflation environment, variable annuities offer a unique blend of investment growth and guaranteed income, making them an attractive option for certain retirees. Unlike fixed annuities, their value rises and falls with market performance, allowing for inflation-beating potential over time.
They also provide tax-deferred growth and the option to convert savings into a predictable income stream that can last for life. Optional riders can offer added benefits like long-term care coverage or income guarantees, though these come with additional fees.
However, high costs, market risk, and limited liquidity make them unsuitable for all investors.
Finsum: For those who’ve maxed out other retirement vehicles and can tolerate some risk, variable annuities may help protect purchasing power while delivering steady income.
The rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college basketball has significantly tilted the playing field in favor of blue blood programs, further eroding the chances for mid-majors to make deep tournament runs.
Top talent from smaller schools is increasingly being poached by power conference programs offering far more lucrative NIL deals, making it harder for underdogs to retain breakout stars. As a result, teams like George Mason or Loyola Chicago may soon become relics of a bygone era, replaced by a tournament field dominated by historically elite programs.
Jay Williams and other analysts have pointed out that the transfer portal and NIL have created a new recruiting pipeline where even mid-level Power Five schools can outbid and outshine mid-majors. The evidence is showing on the court—while some smaller programs still challenge the big names, they rarely break through to the Sweet 16.
Finsum: Ultimately, the NIL era may not have killed Cinderella, but it’s certainly made her invitation to the dance much harder to come by.
Voya Financial is expanding its target-date offerings with the launch of the MyCompass Target Date Blend Series, a new collective investment trust (CIT) overseen by Great Gray Trust Company.
This addition strengthens Voya’s foothold in the growing target-date market, where it already manages more than $25 billion in assets. Sub-advised by flexPATH Strategies, the series benefits from Voya Investment Management’s expertise as a glide path fiduciary, ensuring thoughtful asset allocation.
Designed to complement Voya’s existing MyCompass Index and MyCompass American Funds solutions, the Blend Series mirrors the firm’s Target Retirement Trust (TRT) framework. Key features include a participant-focused glide path, a mix of active and passive strategies, a multi-manager approach for diversification, and stable value fund allocations to reduce volatility for those nearing retirement.
Finsum: The finer details such as the glide path can make a huge difference for clients.