If you're considering a core bond holding for your portfolio, the Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Institutional Fund (VBTIX) is a strong contender worth a closer look. Launched in 1995 and managed by Joshua Barrickman since 2013, VBTIX offers broad exposure to the U.S. investment-grade bond market and has grown to more than $43 billion in assets. 

Over the past five years, it delivered an annualized return of -0.94%, but has shown moderate volatility, with a five-year standard deviation of 6.26%—notably lower than the category average of 12%, making it a relatively stable option. With an ultra-low expense ratio of just 0.04% and no sales load, the fund is significantly cheaper than most of its peers, though it does require a high $5 million minimum investment. 

VBTIX's beta of 1 suggests it tracks the bond market closely, while its slightly negative alpha (-0.04) reflects challenges in beating the benchmark on a risk-adjusted basis. 

Finsum: For large institutions or high-net-worth investors seeking cost-efficient, diversified bond exposure with low volatility, VBTIX could be a foundational piece of a fixed-income strategy.

The U.S. equity market remains a hotspot for high-growth opportunities, particularly within the AI infrastructure sector, where companies like Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI), or Supermicro, are helping shape the next wave of computing. 

Specializing in powerful server and storage systems tailored for AI and high-performance computing (HPC), Supermicro is seeing a surge in demand as enterprises ramp up their investments in AI workloads. Despite a temporary stock slump sparked by a short-seller report and delayed financial filings, an internal review cleared the company of wrongdoing, helping to restore investor confidence. 

Now trading at more than 60% below its peak, Supermicro offers a compelling entry point for investors seeking discounted exposure to cutting-edge AI infrastructure. Its proprietary Data Center Building Block Solutions and liquid cooling technologies give it an edge in energy efficiency and scalability—both crucial in a market increasingly focused on sustainable computing. 

Finsum: The AI era will require a huge amount of infrastructure in order to hold up to the rising demands, investors should consider this cross over. 

As of June 2025, the Federal Reserve has maintained its key interest rate, creating a rare window for investors to take advantage of elevated yields at the short end of the bond curve. 

With short-term yields currently exceeding those of intermediate maturities, ultrashort bond funds have emerged as an efficient way to earn income without assuming significant duration risk. These funds, which typically hold maturities under one year, offer a balance of liquidity, low volatility, and competitive returns. Among the top active strategies is Pimco’s Short-Term fund, which combines nimble credit allocation with disciplined risk management, avoiding complex securities and leaning on deep market expertise. 

For investors seeking tax-efficient income, Vanguard’s Ultra Short-Term Tax-Exempt fund delivers high-quality municipal bond exposure with an ultrashort duration, making it a smart pick in rising rate environments. 

Finsum: These strategies give investors a way to capture attractive yields while staying agile amid ongoing rate uncertainty.

Large-cap companies often have massive reach, but that scale can make sustained growth harder to come by, which is why identifying those with strong competitive advantages is key. Cadence Design Systems (CDNS), for example, has built a dominant position in semiconductor design software, achieving an 85.9% gross margin and 24% billings growth, signaling strong customer demand and profitability. 

Vertiv (VRT), a critical supplier of data center infrastructure, has demonstrated consistent organic growth and improving free cash flow margins, setting it up for long-term operational success without relying on acquisitions. Ingersoll Rand (IR), known for its industrial flow solutions, has significantly improved its efficiency and cash generation, with earnings per share growing faster than revenue, reflecting rising profitability. 

All three companies benefit from strong flywheel effects, where success breeds more success by enabling reinvestment and customer loyalty. With forward P/E ratios ranging from the mid-20s to the low-30s, each stock presents a different value proposition depending on investor preference for growth versus valuation. 

Finsum: These large-cap names offer compelling upside potential regardless of broader market uncertainty.

Financial advice has long been seen as a luxury for the wealthy, but with new technology that’s rapidly changing,  Artificial intelligence is making high-quality financial guidance more accessible, helping advisors serve more people and empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures.

Today, only about 35% of Americans have a financial plan—a gap caused by high costs, limited access, and discomfort around discussing money. Traditional retirement strategies like the 4% withdrawal rule and fixed retirement ages are becoming outdated as lifespans lengthen and economic uncertainty grows. Many people rely on fragmented resources, such as online tools or informal advice, which often fail to create cohesive, personalized strategies.

Here’s where AI steps in:

• It delivers dynamic, real-time guidance tailored to individual life stages, financial goals, and challenges, far beyond what a static plan or annual review can offer.
• It democratizes access to planning tools, enabling younger investors, women, and middle-income families to build strong, personalized financial plans.
• It enhances professional advice by helping wealth managers streamline portfolio management, forecast needs, and deliver hyper-personalized service.

Finsum: For advisors helping clients plan for retirement, the right technology can help anyone make confident, informed decisions about their financial journey.