Wealth Management
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 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.
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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.
The domestic broad-market ETF sector is highly competitive, with popular options like Vanguard's and iShares' total market and S&P 500 funds. While these funds offer low costs, blended styles, and broad sector coverage, there are lesser-known alternatives worth considering.
For broad U.S. market exposure, the Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB) and the SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) provide similar market coverage at lower costs. For those focused on large-cap exposure, the SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPLG) and BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC) offer even lower expense ratios.
Using these alternatives can enhance tax-loss harvesting strategies while maintaining market exposure. By diversifying beyond the usual Vanguard and iShares funds, investors may find cost savings and strategic benefits.
Finsum: You can still implement thematic investing with these ETFs, so keep this in mind when making decisions.