Managed accounts in defined contribution plans have long existed but suffer from low adoption, partly due to limited participant engagement. New technology now allows these accounts to personalize portfolios using more data than just age, potentially improving retirement outcomes. 

Providers are developing hybrid solutions like personalized target-date funds (PTDFs), which tailor asset allocations using existing data without requiring user input. However, experts stress that true personalization—and value—depends on incorporating outside assets and participant-provided details like retirement goals and risk tolerance. 

While artificial intelligence and subscription models may improve engagement, industry leaders see the ultimate goal as total household financial management. 

Finsum: Whether managed accounts can scale effectively and deliver on this promise remains a central question for the future of retirement planning.

Value investing pays off long term, but only a few funds consistently get it right—seven top performers just made the cut. Standouts like ClearBridge Dividend Strategy (LCBEX) and Dodge & Cox Stock (DODGX) delivered strong one-, three-, and five-year returns, outpacing peers with disciplined, research-driven approaches. 

Fidelity Equity-Income (FEKFX) and Fidelity High Dividend ETF (FDVV) combine yield with quality, offering income without overloading on risk. 

Oakmark Select (OANLX) and Natixis Oakmark (NOANX) take concentrated bets on undervalued giants, while WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend (DLN) adds a smart dividend tilt with broad exposure. On average, large-value funds gained 8.58% over the past year, but these funds beat that benchmark while sticking to sound fundamentals. 

Finsum: With interest rates remaining elevated, large cap could be more resilient compared to the small cap counter parts. 

With recession warnings growing louder, elevated bond yields are offering a compelling entry point for fixed income investors. During times of rising recession risk, bonds often shine as a defensive play—prices typically climb as demand surges and yields fall, making today's higher yields especially attractive to lock in. 

UBS highlights that quality, investment-grade bonds are offering strong yield potential without pushing investors into riskier territory. The Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF (NBFC) stands out as one such vehicle, combining active management with multi-sector exposure to generate consistent income with reduced volatility. 

With a 7.10% 30-day SEC yield and over 350 holdings, NBFC delivers both competitive returns and cost efficiency, making it a strong candidate in today's income-hungry environment.

Finsum: Still, for those seeking more income and broader diversification, a mix of bonds and credit assets—like emerging market debt or private credit—can provide a powerful balance.

Bitcoin recently surged past $110,000, signaling strong investor confidence in blockchain technology as a foundation for the future of money. Rebecca Walser of Walser Wealth Management believes this marks the beginning of a long-term upward trend, even if short-term volatility causes retrenchments similar to gold during liquidity crunches. 

She emphasizes that fluctuations—especially during periods of economic stress, trade negotiations, or capital raises—shouldn’t shake conviction in Bitcoin’s potential. 

Walser argues this evolution will eventually disrupt traditional fiat systems and require a fundamental shift in how banking operates. In her view, Bitcoin, as the original and most established digital asset, is poised to lead this transformation despite the expected market ups and downs.

Finsum: As central banks explore digital currencies and private cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Dogecoin gain traction, blockchain is emerging as the inevitable backbone of global finance.

With U.S. GDP dipping negative in Q1 and tariffs clouding the policy outlook, concerns are mounting over how resilient the American consumer truly is. Rising credit card delinquencies point to financial strain, especially among lower-income, lower-FICO borrowers, while looser post-pandemic underwriting standards and inflation have only added pressure. 

In contrast, higher-income consumers—especially homeowners—have largely weathered the storm, thanks in part to low fixed-rate mortgages and tighter lending practices in recent years. 

This divergence is pushing savvy investors to focus on more defensive segments like asset-backed residential credit and small business loans with strong underwriting. While these may offer slightly lower yields, they come with greater resilience and the potential for long-term stability amid an increasingly bifurcated market. 

Finsum: As credit performance grows more uneven, navigating this environment requires a sharper eye on borrower quality and a flexible, informed investment approach.