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.

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.

Active ETFs have officially outnumbered their passive counterparts in the U.S. for the first time, with 2,069 listed funds as of mid-June. While passive ETFs still hold the lion’s share of assets under management, investor interest is clearly shifting—active strategies have attracted nearly 40% of total ETF inflows this year. 

Many investors are turning to active ETFs for more agile, hands-on approaches in navigating today’s unpredictable markets, particularly in fixed income and equity sectors. The SEC is also weighing changes that would allow mutual funds to launch ETF share classes, a move that could dramatically expand access to active strategies and boost tax efficiency. 

However, this flexibility may come at a cost for asset managers, as ETFs typically can't turn away new investors like closed mutual funds can, potentially limiting a manager's control over fund size and strategy execution. 

Finsum: With U.S. ETF assets reaching $11 trillion in May, these structural shifts could fuel continued growth and reshape the way investors access actively managed portfolios.

Oil prices climbed as markets reacted to looming U.S. sanctions targeting Russian energy exports, signaling tighter global supply ahead. West Texas Intermediate surged over 2%, breaking above $68 per barrel after President Trump teased a major announcement on Russia and hinted at aggressive tariffs on countries like China and India that continue buying Russian oil. 

Analysts suggest these potential sanctions are offsetting concerns about rising OPEC+ output, especially as Saudi Arabia exceeded its production quota in June amid heightened geopolitical tensions with Iran. 

However, the rally was tempered by Trump's separate threat of a 35% tariff on select Canadian goods, though core energy imports under the USMCA will likely remain unaffected. Meanwhile, traders shrugged off the temporary production surge from Gulf producers, focusing instead on stable Saudi pricing to China and expected output curbs from OPEC+ starting October. 

Finsum: With sluggish global demand growth in 2025 the market may face a delicate balance between geopolitical supply shocks and muted consumption.

The U.S. wealth management industry enters 2025 with strong fundamentals and surging demand for advice as Americans accumulate more wealth and face increasingly complex financial decisions. Over the past decade, revenue from fee-based advisory relationships has grown significantly, and the number of human-advised relationships is projected to rise by as much as 34% by 2034. 

However, a looming shortage of advisors—an estimated gap of 100,000 by 2034—threatens the industry’s ability to keep pace, prompting firms to modernize operating models, leverage AI for productivity, and intensify recruitment efforts. Amid this talent crunch, advisor transitions will become more common, and ensuring continuity in client service will hinge on robust recordkeeping practices, including detailed CRM usage and clear documentation of financial plans and client preferences. 

Properly managed data is not just a regulatory requirement—it also allows new advisors to step in seamlessly and sustain trust when client relationships change hands. As firms evolve, the combination of human guidance, well-preserved institutional knowledge, and tech-driven scalability will be critical to supporting the next generation of clients.

Finsum: Leveraging technology to optimize your transition will be key for both new advisors and clients. 

Value investing, long championed by legends like Warren Buffett, has historically delivered strong long-term returns. However, in the past decade, growth stocks have significantly outpaced value due to low interest rates inflating the valuations of high-growth companies. 

From 2011 to 2020, large value funds underperformed growth funds by more than five percentage points annually, and in 2020 alone, the gap was a striking 32.2%. Although value outperformed in 2022, the trend reversed in 2023 and 2024, with growth indexes returning over 40% and 33%, respectively, compared to value’s 11.5% and 14.4%. 

Still, investors looking for long-term value exposure can consider top ETFs like the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV), iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD), and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 

Finsum: These funds offer broad diversification, low expenses, and dividend yields making them attractive options for value-focused portfolios.

In today’s fast-evolving financial landscape, your broker-dealer relationship plays a central role in the success of your practice. Whether you’re seeking greater flexibility, higher payouts, or more modern tools, here are the key factors to focus on when evaluating your next move:

• Payout Structure: Look for a competitive payout that balances high earnings with strong support services.
• Technology and Tools: Ensure the broker-dealer provides modern, integrated platforms that streamline your operations and enhance client service.
• Culture and Values: Partner with a firm that aligns with your philosophy and genuinely prioritizes advisor success.

If your current BD no longer aligns with your goals, values, or client needs, it might be time to explore alternatives.

Finsum: Choosing the right broker-dealer is more than a financial decision—it’s a strategic step toward building the practice and lifestyle you envision.