1. The #1 Thing About the 2024 Markets
As this year closes, I am particularly grateful that our optimistic outlook for 2023 came to pass. Our primary investment thesis contained two components: first, that people were far too pessimistic exiting 2022, and second, that inflation would fall without an increase in unemployment. We expected that the two together would power surprising gains for investors, and so they have, with the S&P 500 inches away from hitting an all-time high. — David Waddell
2. Top 10 Advisor Influence Tactics for 2024
Reflecting on advisors who launched and grew their influence this past year. What moves did they make? Here’s my top-10 list. These are the tactics I recommend carrying with you into 2024 and beyond. — Kirk Lowe
3. Will The Red Sea Blockade Reignite Inflation Fears?
Houthi rebels are attacking Red Sea vessels and greatly limiting traffic in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. Four of the world’s five largest container shipping companies, accounting for slightly over half of the world’s container traffic, have suspended transit through the Red Sea. As the graphic below shows, the alternative route, around South Africa, adds about 40% to the distance and, therefore, more time and energy expenses. Over 10% of all oil and 20% of container traffic are shipped through the Red Sea. — Lance Roberts
4. Reaching a Wider Audience With LinkedIn
In the dynamic world of professional networking, LinkedIn stands out as a pivotal platform for financial professionals seeking to expand their reach and build meaningful connections. Recent insights from Richard Bliss, CEO of Bliss Point Consulting and a LinkedIn Top Voice, as well as practical observations from the industry, underline the potential of LinkedIn in fostering business growth. — Bill Cates
5. Who Wins the Electric Vehicle Race?
Walking the showroom floor of Germany's international auto show used to be a time to admire the latest and greatest gas-powered Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen or even a Bentley. Not so much this year. One can sense the electric vehicle future coming. Two questions are at the forefront of people's minds: Will European consumers be interested in buying Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), and will China’s automakers slash prices to grab market share? — Michael Cohen and Talha Khan
6. 15 Crypto Predictions for 2024
Step into the realm of speculation with us as we embark on a whimsical journey into the future of crypto in 2024. In the ever-evolving landscape of digital assets, where imagination is not just a luxury but a necessary locomotive for investors, predicting a path feels akin to navigating through a galaxy of possibilities. We understand the skepticism that often surrounds predictions—after all, foreseeing the twists and turns of the crypto cosmos can feel as elusive as catching stardust in your hands. Yet, here we are, ready to peer into the crystal ball with a twinkle in our eyes, saluting the challenge. Because in the world of cryptocurrencies, where coins and tokens are born from the void, imagination has always been the catalyst for innovation. — Matthew Sigel and Patrick Bush
7. One Little Thing Advisors Do to Tank Onboarding
You are stealing from your clients when you break your process—even if you only made a tiny exception. No, really. While you think you’re helping a client by breaking your process, you’re actually hurting your relationship and denying them the value you promised to provide from an intact process of success. We all tell ourselves that getting carried away researching, checking email, or squeezing a client outside of scheduled hours is not a big deal. — Matthew Jarvis
8. Investing in a Real World
The inflation and interest rate moves over the past year have induced substantial volatility in global equity markets, forcing the reset of many valuation parameters and influencing market performance and breadth. While interest rates may contract from existing levels, we believe the very low rate environment of the past decade is unlikely to come back anytime soon. Inflation might well be harder to tame than implied by the broader market or by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed)’s goals, and inflation protection may be a potential consideration in portfolio construction over the medium term. — Stephen Bonnyman
9. Macro Trends Could Still Haunt 2024
There’s an old axiom in the financial markets: “This time is different” …but it almost never is. History doesn’t necessarily repeat itself in the financial world but usually rhymes with previous economic cycles. Our goal is to flesh out the real possibility of avoiding an economic slowdown in the U.S. in 2024 amidst record tightening by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in 2023. The consensus of Wall Street analysts’ opinions is firmly in the “soft landing” camp, congratulating the Fed on a successful effort to slay inflation without pushing the economy into a recession. — Scott Colyer
10. Balancing Satisfied Clients With Profitability
What impact on practice profitability does this have: “Despite ongoing efforts to improve service, positive customer experience levels decreased significantly across the world” This was from a report released a little while ago on the performance of the insurance sector globally, and it highlights a real dilemma for practitioners. — Tony Vidler
11. How the Capital Cycle Could Impact 2024
In life, and certainly in economics and finance, emotion can interfere with rational decision making. The observed behavior of others can create a bandwagon effect that results in unexpected outcomes. Entrepreneurs and investors have always been drawn to high-return investment opportunities and repelled by low-return ones. This pull from low- and push to high return prospects is the driver of the capital cycle and is often linked to economic and financial market excesses. — Robert M. Almeida