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1. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to Investing in 2025
“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which ran its series finale last year, starred Larry David as an over-the-top version of himself in a comedy series that showed how seemingly trivial details of day-to-day life can precipitate a catastrophic chain of events. The show never failed to deliver a laugh but also reminded me that unexpected events can derail the most certain of outcomes. As we enter 2025, the financial markets are optimistic. That optimism is fueled by strong market performance over the last two years and analyst’s projections for continued growth. However, as “Curb Your Enthusiasm” often demonstrates, even the best-laid plans can unravel when overlooked details come to light. Here are five reasons why a more cautious approach to investing might be warranted in 2025. — Lance Roberts
2. Navigating Earnings Season: Are Tariffs Really That Scary?
What does all of this mean? Maybe the tariff threats and rhetoric are slightly overblown. Certainly, tariffs are not great for businesses. But it is not as though companies are being caught off guard. They have been in this situation before and many learned their lessons and adapted. That should not be underestimated. The idea that inflation could reaccelerate is a reasonable one, but it is not straightforward either (as seen with the Ollie's Bargain Bin statements). Excuseflation—the idea that companies would use tariffs as an excuse to raise prices—may well occur in certain areas. But it may not be across the board. Not to mention, Middle America might not feel the tariff effects as much as anticipated either. — Samuel Rimes
3. Who Will Be the Nvidia of 2025?
Can the artificial intelligence (AI) boom continue? That’s the #1 investing question as we enter 2025. AI stocks topped the performance charts again last year. Palantir Technologies (PLTR), which uses AI to catch “bad guys,” was the best-performing S&P 500 stock, surging 340%. #2 was Vistra Corp. (VST), the boring ol’ power provider profiting from AI’s bottomless appetite for energy. #3 was Nvidia (NVDA). Can AI stocks really burn bright in 2025? Yes, but… — Stephen McBride
4. ETF Game Changers: Trends to Watch in 2025
The strong economic backdrop in 2024 has been characterized by falling inflation, lower interest rates, and improved corporate fundamentals. With the S&P 500® Index returning over 20% each of the past two years and sitting close to all-time highs, some are asking whether this positive performance trend, and resulting strong flows into U.S. equity exchange-traded funds (ETFs), can continue. — Nicholas J. Elward, Sr. and Tyler A. Williams
5. 8 Key Strategies to Build Unshakeable Client Confidence
“If you have confidence in your lure, you will catch fish,” says one of the millionaires interviewed by Thomas J. Stanley in his book The Millionaire Mind. There’s wisdom for advisors in those words. In financial advisory, there’s one undeniable truth: confidence is the key to success. Every decision you make—whether it's selecting investments, crafting tailored financial plans, or creating a seamless client experience—serves one purpose: to inspire confidence in your ideal clients. When you win that confidence, the possibilities are endless. You can build the practice you’ve always envisioned with the right clients who trust your expertise. — Jeff Thorsteinson
6. How To Stay Calm and Confident With Surprise Client Questions
As a financial advisor, it’s essential that your clients ask questions. It means they want to engage with you, and they trust your expertise. Every question a client asks is an opportunity to educate them, which is a good thing. When your clients are comfortable enough with you to ask questions, it’s a sign of a healthy advisory relationship. — Don Connelly
7. 2025’s Hottest Funds: 5 Picks to Watch Closely
2024 is drawing to a close and our thoughts are turning to what the next year will bring for markets. With many western central banks now in a rate cutting cycle, geopolitical tensions high and a new leader being inaugurated in the US, the outlook is far from certain. So which funds could investors consider for 2025 and beyond? — Hargreaves Lansdow
8. The AI Revolution: Are Wealth Management Jobs at Risk in 2025?
Leading wealth management firms are already witnessing AI's transformative impact. ARQA's January 2024 launch brings AI-powered market analysis, trend identification, and real-time data monitoring capabilities that previously required teams of analysts. CogniCor's Wealth AI Advisor Copilot is revolutionizing advice engagement and client onboarding, while Jump AI is transforming the client engagement cycle. WealthFeed is automating client acquisition and lead generation, as RIA Growth Catalyst streamlines M&A processes that traditionally required extensive human involvement. — James Cantwell
9. How Technology Is Making Financial Planning More Personal and Human
Over the years of writing these columns, I’ve tried to maintain a mix of topics that address both the technical aspects of investing or financial planning and the emotional component of our money behavior. I realized recently that, despite my love of numbers and history of geeking out over Sharpe ratios and asset class correlations, it’s the emotional topics that really keep me engaged. — Rick Kahler
10. Samantha Russell’s 4 Must-Dos To Make Your Event a Success
Whether you’re hosting a virtual or in-person event, here are four tips to make it a success: 1. Create a fun landing page that clearly conveys exactly what attendees will get out of going to the event. — FMG
11. How Multi-Agent AI Is Transforming Investment Operations
Investment operations are stuck in a rut. Analysts spend too much time on repetitive tasks, firms face rising costs as they try to scale, and keeping up with market demands feels like an endless uphill battle. But what if things could be different? What if your team could focus on the high-value work that truly drives results—without drowning in data analysis and compliance checks? That’s where multi-agent AI steps in. And no, it’s not just another buzzword, it’s a game-changer. — Patrick Burke