Wealth Management
A coalition of top financial planning organizations is urging the Department of Labor to finalize its proposed Retirement Security Rule, which would require financial professionals to act in clients' best interests when giving retirement advice.
In a joint letter to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, leaders from the CFP Board, FPA, NAPFA, and XY Planning Network argued that the rule fills critical regulatory gaps left by standards like the SEC’s Reg BI. The letter cited research showing that 92% of Americans expect fiduciary advice, even though current laws don’t always guarantee it—especially for one-time retirement guidance.
The organizations pushed back on claims that fiduciary rules restrict access to advice, pointing to firms like XYPN that serve younger, mass-affluent clients without asset minimums. The coalition also praised the rule’s efforts to modernize outdated protections, especially regarding insurance products that currently fall outside federal fiduciary oversight.
Finsum: Financial advisors should watch these updates because they will affect their practice management.
Ruthenium, a rare platinum group metal, has nearly doubled in price over the past year to $800 an ounce, outperforming gold and silver thanks to surging demand from artificial intelligence applications. The metal’s unique hardness and conductivity make it ideal for hard disk drives used in data centers powering AI, where it enables high-density storage through ultrathin coatings.
Unlike widely traded metals, ruthenium is sourced only as a byproduct of platinum mining, with global output limited to just 30 tons annually—a figure expected to decline further due to underinvestment. Analysts predict a supply deficit next year as demand outpaces dwindling production, intensifying competition for this obscure element.
Despite being used in tiny quantities, ruthenium’s role in expanding cloud infrastructure is critical, with hard disk sales projected to rise 16% in 2025.
Finsum: Unless alternative technologies emerge, ruthenium’s strategic value and price are likely to climb even higher.
The Trump administration is preparing an executive order that would allow 401(k) retirement plans to invest in private equity, a move expected to benefit asset managers seeking access to the $12.5 trillion defined-contribution market. The directive, still under discussion, would build on prior efforts during Trump’s first term to integrate private equity into retirement portfolios, previously limited by legal and fiduciary concerns.
Currently, most 401(k) investments are concentrated in traditional stocks and bonds, as plan administrators have been cautious about incorporating complex and illiquid assets.
However, critics warn that such a shift could increase fees and risks for savers while exposing plan sponsors to potential lawsuits. The executive order, if signed, would mark a significant change in U.S. retirement policy and potentially reshape how Americans build wealth for retirement.
Finsum: Private equity could offer retirement savers higher long-term returns and a broader array of investment options, particularly as the number of public companies continues to shrink.
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Vanguard has broadened its fixed-income ETF lineup with the introduction of three new funds, each tailored to meet different investor needs. The Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) is an actively managed strategy focused on U.S. government and agency bonds across various maturities, offering tactical flexibility at a modest 0.10% expense ratio.
For investors preferring a passive approach, the Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) delivers broad exposure to the U.S. Treasury market, tracking a major benchmark index with an ultra-low 0.03% fee. Meanwhile, the Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTP) targets those seeking protection from rising prices through TIPS, and carries a 0.05% expense ratio.
These launches build on Vanguard’s growing fixed income suite, following the recent debut of its Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS).
Finsum: As demand for diversified, cost-effective bond solutions climbs, Vanguard continues to position itself as a go-to provider for both active and index-based fixed income strategies.
Gold-backed ETFs saw their biggest first-half inflow since early 2020, as investors flocked to the metal amid global trade tensions and economic uncertainty. According to the World Gold Council, physically backed gold ETFs attracted $38 billion in inflows from January to June 2025, lifting total holdings by 397.1 metric tons to 3,615.9 tons.
This surge was largely driven by concerns over U.S. tariff policies under President Trump, prompting a shift toward safe-haven assets. U.S.-listed funds led with 206.8 tons added, while Asia-listed ETFs set a regional record with 104.3 tons—accounting for 28% of global flows despite managing just 9% of global gold ETF assets.
The rebound follows modest inflows in 2024 and reverses a three-year trend of outflows tied to high interest rates. Spot gold prices have surged 26% this year, reaching an all-time high of $3,500 per ounce in April.
Finsum: Gold ETFs are a great way to get exposure and get an inflation hedge in case tariffs cause a spike.
Debentures are long-term debt instruments that allow companies and governments to raise capital without pledging specific assets as collateral. These unsecured bonds appeal to investors seeking portfolio diversification and fixed income, though they carry risks tied to the issuer’s creditworthiness.
While government-issued debentures are generally low-risk due to sovereign backing, corporate debentures rely on the company’s financial health and reputation, making credit ratings an essential consideration.
There are various types: convertible debentures can later be exchanged for company stock, while nonconvertible ones cannot but typically offer higher interest rates; similarly, secured debentures are backed by company assets, whereas unsecured ones are not, increasing the investment risk but potentially offering higher yields.
Finsum: While they provide regular income and reduced exposure to market volatility, investors must weigh those benefits against interest rate sensitivity and potential default risk.