Displaying items by tag: personalization

Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) are widening their niche in the investment landscape, doubling assets under management to nearly $2 trillion in the past five years (according to Cerulli Associates). This rapid growth stems from their distinctive advantages over traditional options like mutual funds. SMAs offer direct ownership of underlying securities, personalized portfolio construction, and professional oversight, all within a flexible framework that enables personalized tax efficiency.

And they are projected to continue to grow, reaching $3 trillion in the next few years. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Scott Smith, director of advice relationships at Cerulli, explains why SMAs are growing. “They are no longer just for high-net-worth individuals. As more baby boomers retire and have to move money from their 401(k) plans, SMAs have become an attractive option.”

While this tailored approach resonates with certain investors, particularly retiring baby boomers and those seeking strategic tax management, SMAs are not a universal solution. Consulting a financial advisor remains crucial to assess individual needs and weigh advantages against potential drawbacks. For instance, while the ability to harvest specific tax losses can be invaluable, it may hold little weight for investors with limited capital gains.

Finsum: Separately Managed Accounts doubled assets under management in the past five years and are projected to continue their steady growth.

Direct indexing is in the midst of a boom due to increasing awareness of its benefits from investors and adoption by advisors. Some of the major benefits for clients are increased tax efficiency and more personalization while remaining diversified with low costs. For advisors, it’s an opportunity to add value to clients and provide more specialized services. Overall, it’s estimated that direct indexing can add between 30 and 50 basis points in annual returns.

However, most continue to think of direct indexing in terms of equities, but the technology can also be applied to fixed income. With stocks, most direct indexing strategies are based on re-creating an index within a separately managed account with some adjustments to better fit a client’s financial needs and goals.

In contrast on the fixed income side, indices are not replicated, but it can provide more control, flexibility, and personalization. They can also find increased tax efficiency through regular portfolio scans just like with equities to harvest tax losses which can be used to offset capital gains in other parts of the portfolio. Another benefit is that investors can fine-tune their fixed income portfolios and optimize for different characteristics such as duration, credit risk, income, or geography. 

Finsum: Direct indexing is in the midst of a boom. While many are now familiar with its benefit for equities, it can also be used with fixed income. 

According to Broadridge Financial, we are on the cusp of a meaningful shift in the wealth management universe as direct indexing represents the next evolution of passive investing. Over the last 20 years, we have seen exchange traded funds (ETFs) displace mutual funds as the primary vehicle for investing. Now, Broadridge believes something similar is happening with direct indexing. 

Some of the major reasons for this are low trading costs, fractional shares, and technology advances which make it accessible and practical for investors with much lower amounts to invest. Direct indexing assets are forecast to rise at a 12.4% rate over the next few years, outpacing ETFs, mutual funds, and SMAs. As a result, it’s becoming imperative to offer this service to clients who are particularly amenable to its tax optimization and personalization features.

Despite these trends, Broadridge reports that only 47% of executives and advisors were familiar enough with direct indexing to complete a survey about the subject. Additionally, only 14% of advisors currently recommend it to clients. According to the firm, advisors and practices should move quickly to embrace this technology as it has the potential to be a source of differentiation and value for clients. Client interest is especially high among Millennials and Generation Z due to their desire to align their investments with their personal values. 

Finsum: Broadridge Financial conducted a survey of advisors and executives about direct indexing. Despite promising long-term trends, it found that many are still not acting to embrace this opportunity. 

For discerning investors seeking a personalized approach to wealth management, mutual funds are often just the tip of the iceberg of possible solutions. Mutual funds offer professional oversight and a level of diversification, but transparency and flexibility are not typically among their strengths. Enter Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs).

SMAs function like custom portfolios tailored to the account holder's unique risk tolerance, goals, and even ethical considerations. Want to prioritize tech stocks? Avoid fossil fuels? SMA customization lets investors and their advisors call the shots. And forget about waiting until the quarter or year-end to see the securities held by your fund - SMAs' full transparency of underlying investments provides crystal-clear clarity any time of the year.

Of course, with power comes responsibility. SMAs often require deeper engagement in the investment process, but the effort is often worth it for investors who want the added benefits.

While minimum account balances in the past for SMAs may have seemed intimidating, the tides are turning. Advancements in platforms and technology have lowered entry points, making customized wealth management more accessible than ever. For advisors seeking to cater to sophisticated clientele who value tailored solutions, SMAs deserve a closer look.

Finsum: Separately Managed Accounts offer an advantage over mutual funds for investors who desire greater transparency and flexibility in their accounts.

A familiar mantra of financial advisors and tax planning experts is that it’s not what you earn; it’s what you get to keep that matters. This principle underscores the significance of effective tax management strategies within a taxable investment portfolio. An essential technique in optimizing after-tax returns is tax-loss harvesting, which involves selling investments at a loss to offset taxable gains in the same year.

A powerful tool for executing this strategy is direct indexing. Unlike product structures like mutual funds, direct indexing accounts allow investors or their advisors to buy and sell individual securities. This granular control enables them to recognize losses for tax purposes while maintaining their investment strategy.

However, timing is crucial. Establishing a direct indexing account early in the taxable year affords the account holder increased flexibility later. This positions them to maximize the opportunities for tax-loss harvesting as they accumulate over the year. By doing so, advisors can proactively manage the portfolio to leverage potential tax savings, which can be particularly beneficial when preparing for year-end financial discussions with clients.

Essentially, the sooner an advisor sets up a direct indexing account for their client, the more they can potentially benefit from tax-loss harvesting strategies during the year.

Finsum: Advisors can help their clients keep more of what they earn by utilizing direct indexing accounts to harvest tax losses throughout the year.