In the face of record inflation, the Virtus Real Assets Income ETF (VRAI) has done extraordinarily well, up 19% year-to-date, and significantly beating the S&P 500, which is up 14%. On top of this, the ETF generates compelling income of 3%, well above the 10 Year US Treasuries at 1.5%.

Investing in real assets is a winning strategy in an inflationary environment because tangible assets such as real estate, natural resources and infrastructure have intrinsic value. VRAI is the first ETF focused on real assets. Additionally, because of VRAI’s focus on income-generating real assets, VRAI also generates attractive income.

In terms of ETF construction, VRAI is designed to be one-stop solution for real asset exposure. VRAI consists of 90 US-traded companies, equally divided between real assets, natural resources, and infrastructure. Companies are filtered based upon market capitalization and selected based upon dividend yield. All stocks are equally weighted to ensure portfolio diversification.

Finally, in terms of costs, VRAI is very competitively priced at 55 bps (0.55%). This stands stark contrast to most energy and real estate ETFs and mutual funds, which typically cost over 100 bps (or 1%).

For more information on the investment case, check out this research piece produced by Virtus

n.b. This is sponsored content and not FINSUM editorial

In the world of investing, market volatility is often viewed with trepidation. However, for the savvy investor, it can also represent a wealth of opportunities. Mutual fund YACKX, managed by a team of experts at Yacktman Asset Management, is one such opportunity that warrants consideration in times of market turbulence.

Active Management: YACKX stands out due to its active management strategy. In volatile markets, actively managed funds have the potential to adjust more swiftly to changing conditions compared to passive funds. The fund managers of YACKX can leverage their expertise to make informed decisions, potentially minimizing losses during downturns and maximizing gains during upswings.

Diversification: YACKX typically holds a diversified portfolio across various asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and sometimes even alternative investments. This diversification can help spread risk and reduce the impact of market volatility on the fund's overall performance. When one asset class falters, another may rise, offering a degree of stability.

Long-Term Focus: While market volatility can be unsettling in the short term, YACKX often takes a long-term perspective. This approach is especially beneficial for investors looking to build wealth over time. Volatility in the short term can create opportunities to buy quality assets at lower prices, potentially yielding substantial gains in the future.

Risk Management: The experienced managers of YACKX are skilled at assessing and managing risk. During times of heightened market volatility, their ability to identify undervalued assets and mitigate risk can be a valuable asset to investors seeking stability and growth.

Historical Performance: Before investing, it's important to review a fund's historical performance. YACKX's past performance, especially during volatile market periods, can offer insights into how it has navigated turbulent times and whether it aligns with your investment goals.

However, it's crucial to note that while YACKX may have characteristics that make it appealing during market volatility, all investments come with risks. Investors should carefully assess their risk tolerance, financial goals, and the fund's prospectus before making any investment decisions. Consulting with a financial advisor can also provide valuable guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.

In conclusion, mutual fund YACKX has several attributes that make it an enticing investment option during periods of market volatility. Its active management, diversification, long-term focus, risk management, and historical performance make it a compelling choice for investors seeking stability and growth in uncertain times. Nonetheless, thorough research and a thoughtful assessment of your financial objectives are essential before including any investment in your portfolio.

Title: Seizing the Moment: Why Mutual Fund NUVBX Could Be a Winning Investment in a High-Interest-Rate Environment

In a financial landscape where interest rates are on the rise, investors are actively seeking opportunities that can potentially provide both stability and returns that outpace inflation. Mutual fund NUVBX, managed by a team of experts at XYZ Investments, emerges as a promising investment avenue to consider during this era of higher interest rates.

Income Generation: Mutual fund NUVBX is well-suited to thrive in a high-interest-rate environment. This is because it primarily consists of bonds and fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the yields on these fixed-income investments also increase, leading to higher income potential for investors. NUVBX's portfolio is strategically positioned to capitalize on these higher yields, making it a potentially attractive option for income-focused investors.

Risk Mitigation: While higher interest rates can bring opportunities, they can also introduce greater risk, especially to traditional bond investments. NUVBX's expert management team is well-versed in navigating these challenges. They can adjust the fund's holdings to mitigate risks associated with interest rate fluctuations, potentially shielding investors from some of the negative impacts that rising rates can have on bond prices.

Diversification: NUVBX typically maintains a diversified portfolio of bonds, which can further reduce risk. Diversification helps spread the potential impact of interest rate changes across various types of bonds, offering a more balanced risk-return profile.

Historical Performance: Before making any investment, it's crucial to assess a fund's historical performance, especially during previous periods of rising interest rates. This can provide valuable insights into how the fund has performed in similar market conditions and whether it aligns with your investment objectives.

Income Stability: For investors seeking stable and predictable income streams, NUVBX's focus on bonds and fixed-income securities can provide a degree of income stability, making it a suitable option for those who rely on their investments for regular income.

However, as with all investments, it's essential for investors to conduct their due diligence. Carefully review NUVBX's prospectus, assess your risk tolerance, and consider how the fund fits into your overall investment strategy. Consulting with a financial advisor can also provide personalized guidance based on your unique financial goals and circumstances.

In conclusion, mutual fund NUVBX offers several compelling reasons for consideration in a high-interest-rate environment. Its potential for income generation, risk mitigation, diversification, historical performance, and income stability can make it a valuable addition to an investor's portfolio during times of rising interest rates. Nonetheless, prudence and thoughtful decision-making are essential when making any investment choice.

Sure tech investors have had their share of ups and downs, but they have been largely insulated from the market’s bigger losses but things could change. The underlying trends in the technology sector are looking as bad as they have in a long time. There is severe weakness in consumer-oriented hardware products. Moreover, as supply chains relax these prices could fall further. Additionally, sub-sectors such as enterprise tech spending are starting to deteriorate. The weakening demand is beginning to show at the company level as earnings season shows signs of weakness in technology. While there have been outliers such as Cisco, the market might not be ready for widespread tech deterioration.

Finsum: The other huge problem is rising interest rates and rampant inflation which lower the value of future earnings and make growth stocks less attractive.

Congress continues to look for ways to fund the $1.85 trillion bill that aims to spend on social and climate policy. While they have already considered objectives that would align the U.S. with the G20’s global minimum tax rate, the current bill will also affect wealthier individuals’ retirement vehicles. Congress will put limits on large accounts for individuals or couples with $10 million dollar retirement balances. The newest Build Back Better bill also eliminates the ‘backdoor’ Roth IRA by minimizing rollovers and conversions. The date for the former rule change isn’t until Dec. 31, 2028 but the backdoor loophole is set to close Dec. 31st of this year in the current bill.

FINSUM: Substantial changes to savings and retirement could be coming in the upcoming legislation, and investors should be aware of how these changes could affect their retirement vehicles.

The European Stockxx 600 was up .5% on Friday driven by earning releases in the banking sector. That trend followed around the globe as Asia-Pacific’s Taiex index boosted 2% and Wallstreet’s S&P was up 2%. It was strong financial earnings in U.S., and semiconductors in the East pushing the Taiex. All of this happens as inflations concerns continue in the U.S. as consumer prices rose 5.4% on the year, but the Euro areas are seeing the opposite results as monthly inflation was negative in France. The common price thread is definitely in energy prices as Brent crude hit $84.40 a barrel.

FINSUM: The trickling earning reports have generally exceeded expectations. That trend looks to continue, and global portfolios are not only diverse but are outperforming.

The U.S. had two consecutive quarters of negative growth meeting the technical requirements of a recession, and for the first time in over 40 years that coincided with very high inflation. Tasked with generating high returns in a stagflation environment investors are turning to an odd place, emerging markets. While some EM has suffered as a result of a stronger dollar and Fed tightening, pockets are promising to bring big returns in higher growth environments abroad. Countries relying on exports will have a difficult time, but countries like India, Malaysia, and Indonesia all have fairly robust domestic consumer demand and are quick-growing economies. The last country is an oddball but China has continued to deliver stimulus throughout the pandemic and may put itself in a good position to capture investor attention.

Finsum: Equities abroad are ultra-low, finding the right countries with domestic consumer support could be very profitable.

Share and share alike?

Well, tell that to exchange traded funds. While they burgeoned in popularity, when it comes to sharing equally – or consistently – in the billions of dollars investors pluck down on them monthly, they don’t exactly participate, according to thinkadvisor.com.

An ETF focused on environmental, social and governance investing was one that trailed the pack. Year to date, it experienced the largest withdrawals. “(That suggests) that there may be some backlash against ESG from investors,” said Sumit Roy, senior ETF analyst at ETF.com.

In any event, as an investor, want a cost effective way to diversify your portfolios across various asset classes: you’ll get that from top ETFs, according to Investopedia.com. The work of ETFs, it seems, is never done. Not only does it track a particular index, sector or commodity and trade on a stock exchange, the way in which it goes about it mirrors that of a regular stock, putting investors in a position to wield greater flexibility.

Think recruiting for succession planning is a piece of proverbial cake? Well, ha!

That’s because, to the contrary, errors can be common, according to linkedin.com. So, how do you increase your chances of sidestepping them in the recruiting process aimed at such planning? 

A few tips:

• Assess your current and future needs
• Develop a talent pool and a succession plan
• Use objective and consistent methods
• Involve multiple stakeholders and perspectives
• Monitor and evaluate your results

Now, ask yourself: if your most essential employees bolted – and bolted today – would you be up the old creek – or do you have a successor who had the knowledge, training and skills to pay dividends and fill the void?

Workplace data’s all that and more, according to hr.nih/gov. It can abet your ability to visualize your workforce, such as, for instance, the volume of employees eligible to call it a day. Well, leveraging data, you can visualize representation of the workforce, which is a great way to gain support – not to mention – interest, in succession planning.

Here’s a suggestion: in the course or workforce discussion, strategic planning – and as you break bread over your mission -- provide your leadership with a summary of workforce data, complete with the snapshot. Doing so will reinforce how important workforce planning is.

With major technological disruption happening in every industry, it’s natural to consider how the financial advisor industry will change over the coming decades. After all, the industry is unrecognizable to how it was a few decades ago. Here are some of the trends that will shape how the industry evolves. 

People, especially the younger generation, are increasingly spending more time in the digital world including when it comes to managing their finances. Many in this cohort would rather communicate with their advisors over text, email, or video calls. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) presents a threat and opportunity to advisors. AI is being used to augment robo-advisors and give them more interactive capabilities and personalized advice. While this could lead to some market share gains, advisors can also utilize AI to augment their own businesses by improving back-end operations, automating low-level processes, reducing expenses, free up time for client services, and boosting marketing efforts.  

Another major opportunity is the massive aging of the population and retirement of the baby boomer population. As this generation passes, trillions in wealth will be passed down to Generation Z and Millennials. Successful advisors will be able to form trust and relationships with older clients and their children.

Finsum: The financial advisor industry is going to face major challenges and opportunities over the next couple of decades. Demographics and technology are two of the most impactful.

Last year was a terrible year for the markets, even for many hedge funds. According to investment data firm Preqin, hedge fund returns were down 6.5% in 2022, the largest drop since the 13% decline in 2008 during the financial crisis. That’s why global hedge fund managers are preparing for persistent inflation by seeking exposure to commodities and bonds that perform well in inflationary environments. A majority of 10 global asset and hedge fund managers that were surveyed by Reuters said commodities are undervalued and should thrive as global inflation stays elevated this year. In addition, they are also seeking inflation-linked bonds to shield against price rises, and exposure to certain corporate credit, as higher rates restore differentiation in company bond spreads. For instance, London-based hedge fund manager, Crispin Odey is betting inflation will remain high. He told Reuters that "Commodities will start to rise again. They've sold off very heavily and are below operating costs in many instances." Danielle Pizzo, chief strategy officer at Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, told Reuters that her firm “Aims to focus more on investment grade and high-yield bonds this year as well as commodities.”

Finsum:Hedge funds, which saw the largest drop in performance last year since the financial crisis, are concerned about persistent inflation and are seeking exposure to commodities and select bonds.

The U.S. has an extended history of periods of financial regulation, specifically trust-busting. That period has been in hibernation though for the last 50 years, that is, until now. Many judges in the United States may be getting a slue of cases related to similar topics with mergers and competition as Private Equity has extended its ownership to unprecedented levels. There is more alignment than ever within the administration on the future of competition and private equity when it comes to policy. They are pursuing new readings and interpretations of longer-standing precedents that will be more stringent on PE. This new strain of regulation has long-standing Democratic Economists like Larry Summers voicing concern, calling the new policies ‘populist antitrust’.

Finsum: There have been a large number of papers on the effect of co-ownership and competition that private equity companies are imposing, and that could be reaching its peak.