Displaying items by tag: advisors

A major milestone occurred at the end of 2023 as assets in index funds exceeded assets held by active funds. The major factor behind this shift is an increasing preference for ETFs, while mutual funds are falling out of favor. While there has been much focus on the impressive growth rates of active ETFs, the larger narrative is that ETFs are displacing mutual funds, both active and passive. 

According to Cerulli Associates, active ETFs had $129 billion of inflows last year, while there were $65 billion of inflows into passive mutual funds. In contrast, passive ETFs had inflows of $463 billion, while active mutual funds had net outflows of $576 billion.

A major factor is that ETFs have lower costs while also offering more transparency and liquidity. They are also more tax-efficient than their mutual fund counterparts. Additionally, many advisors are now focusing more on asset allocation than security selection, which is also contributing to growth of ETFs. 

Cerulli also noted that more advisors are moving to independent firms from large broker-dealers. “Those advisors, according to our data, believe less in the merits of active investing,” remarked Matt Apkarian, Cerulli’s associate director of product development.

Another trend is that some portion of outflows from active mutual funds are going into active ETFs. Some new issues in the category have been gaining traction, and more asset managers are jumping on the trend. 

Finsum: Last year, there were net inflows into active and passive ETFs and passive mutual funds. But there were huge outflows from passive mutual funds. A major factor is that ETFs are increasingly in favor due to lower costs and more transparency and liquidity.

One of the most important decisions that retirees will make is their Social Security claiming date. It’s only made once, and it will have long-term repercussions. Therefore, it’s crucial to make the best decision. 

There are single-premium, non-variable fixed or indexed annuities that are designed to offer retirees income at one level during the first benefit period and then at a different level during the second benefit period. 

This can help retirees push back their claiming date so that they can receive a higher level of benefits. The initially higher level of income can last up to 8 years. The median premium is $100,000, with an average of $155,000. 

These offerings have been popular with middle-income clients and even some wealthier clients, especially among workers in government jobs who can retire at earlier ages. Additionally, these products are also amenable to investors with less tolerance for risk who value steady income over asset appreciation. One obstacle to greater adoption of these types of annuities is that it’s challenging for advisors and agents to explain the benefits of pushing back the Social Security claiming date. 

Finsum: Annuities can help retirees by pushing back their Social Security claiming date. One annuity product is increasingly popular as it comes with a higher level of income in the upfront years to help bridge the gap.

According to Marcy Keckler, senior vice president of financial advice strategy at Ameriprise Financial, couples consulting a financial advisor tend to be more transparent about their finances, emphasizing the importance of selecting an advisor jointly. Keckler highlights the optimistic trend in couples' financial communication, as revealed by the Ameriprise Couples, Money & Retirement study, which surveyed over 1,500 American couples with substantial investable assets. 

The study indicates that the majority of couples trust each other on financial matters and share similar retirement goals. Keckler stresses the necessity for advisors to engage with both partners from the outset, ensuring a balanced relationship and effective financial planning.

Furthermore, the survey underscores the crucial role of advisors in addressing couples' concerns, such as providing support to family members and navigating retirement uncertainties. While most couples plan to retire simultaneously, the reality often diverges, requiring flexibility in retirement planning. The study's recommendations include open communication about financial objectives, resolving disagreements constructively, and collaborative selection of a financial advisor. Despite positive findings, challenges such as estate planning and financial transparency persist, highlighting the ongoing need for advisor assistance in fostering financial harmony among couples.

Finsum: The couple adds a different dynamic to the advisor client relationship and understanding their needs is fundamental, as more are seeking advisors in pairs. 

Opting to switch broker dealers is typically a last-resort decision, stirring discomfort among advisors. The mere contemplation of change signifies a threshold of considerable discomfort. There are various catalysts for this discomfort, with the top three reasons for advisors to consider such a move descending as follows:

1. Advisors increasingly require practice management and marketing aid from broker/dealers as they expand their practices and seek to optimize efficiency.
2. Advisors prioritize broker/dealers offering innovative technology solutions such as electronic signatures and paperless office systems.
3. Advisors explore broker/dealers offering higher payouts, lower expenses, and more favorable administrative fees to maximize profitability.

Despite the challenges, the landscape of over 500 Independent Broker/Dealers presents ample opportunities for advisors seeking change, with the potential for greener pastures elsewhere.

Finsum: Tech advancements are offering new advisors a plethora of reasons to consider a transition because they can improve both efficiency and client relationships. 

KKR recently shared its growth strategy for alternative investments geared towards wealthy individual investors. Initially, it plans to offer products focused on private credit, private equity, infrastructure, and real estate and aims to distribute them through financial advisors. The firm has noted strong interest from wealth managers and registered investment advisors. It believes that its 48 years of experience in the space and strong legacy will differentiate KKR from its competitors.

According to Eric Mogelof, KKR’s head of Global Client Solutions, “Private wealth is a transformational opportunity for KKR. Private wealth is large, it’s growing quickly, and importantly, allocations to alternatives in this space are only going in one direction, and that is up.” KKR sees alternatives accounting for 6% of the private wealth market by 2027, a sharp increase from its 2% share in 2022. 

This series of products will offer qualified investors the same type of access as institutional clients without any additional fees. KKR also believes that these products will be more liquid than competing alternatives. The firm also sees momentum to offer even more alternative product types in the near future. This is in response to their conversations with advisors, banks, wirehouses, and brokers, who have found that allocations to alternatives are increasing. 

Finsum: KKR sees a big opportunity in alternative investments and is launching a suite of products. It hopes to target wealthy investors through financial advisors.