Investing

5 Ways The SEC Says "Screw You" to Investors with Regulation Best Interest

5 Ways The SEC Says "Screw You" to Investors with Regulation Best Interest

The recent approval of the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) has killed any hope that financial advisers at Broker/Dealers would finally be required to be fiduciaries for their clients. The SEC went out of its way to create a regulation that would confuse consumers into thinking they have legal protections, when they don’t.

7 Things to Do In Response to Last Week’s Market Drop

7 Things to Do In Response to Last Week’s Market Drop

The first six months of 2022 has seen a stock market drop which has many spooked. Words like ‘market crash’, ‘historic drop’, and ‘recession’ abound and many are selling their investments in fear of a massive downturn. Here are the 7 things you can do to keep the market downturn from ruining your financial plan.

8 Investment & Wealth Management Firms Threaten CFP Board Over Fiduciary Rule

8 Investment & Wealth Management Firms Threaten CFP Board Over Fiduciary Rule

Eight investment management firms threatened to stop using the CFP designation if the CFP Board expanded it’s fiduciary rule. Despite the bullying, the CFP Board still voted to improve the consumer protections in their Standards of Professional Conduct.

5th Circuit Agrees: Stock Brokers & Insurance Agents Just Salespeople

5th Circuit Agrees: Stock Brokers & Insurance Agents Just Salespeople

The Stock Brokerage and Insurance Industries are fighting hard against the Department of Labor's Fiduciary Rule, which would require their advisers to put their client's interests first and disclose conflicts of interest. The industries got the 5th Circuit Court to agree that, unlike Registered Investment Advisers, stock brokers and insurnce agent are just salespeople

What the Broker Protocol Exits Mean for Investors

What the Broker Protocol Exits Mean for Investors

Investors may mistakenly think Morgan Stanley and UBS leaving the Broker Protocol agreement only impacts stock brokers and their employers. The SEC, however, identified the Broker Protocol as an important agreement for both customer choice and privacy.

New Poll Bearish on Stocks – Actually Bull$#!+

New Poll Bearish on Stocks – Actually Bull$#!+

A new Wells Fargo/Gallup poll is being used by some media outlets to suggest a stock market correction is coming. While no one knows when a bear market will start, one thing is for certain. It won't be a Wells Fargo poll which predicts it.

SEC Data Breach a Bigger Deal for Investors than Consumers

SEC Data Breach a Bigger Deal for Investors than Consumers

Consumers shouldn't worry about the most recent SEC security breach, as the information hackers got did not include private personal data. The hack does, however, point out a risk to investors and a special risk future government agency breaches could pose to consumers.

IRS Signals 1031 Exchange Threat

IRS Signals 1031 Exchange Threat

The IRS is trying to put the scare into real estate investors looking to push the timelines for 1031 exchanges. If you own investment real estate, a 1031 exchange can save you significant taxes, but the IRS is signalling it will aggressively enforce the rules.

These 4 Charts Will Tell You Everything About the Stock Market's Recent Decline

These 4 Charts Will Tell You Everything About the Stock Market's Recent Decline

The stock market is compared to a roller coaster for a reason. If you're concerned the recent drop in value is a sign you should get out, these four charts will help you put things in perspective. If stocks are the appropriate investment for you, don't let a drop in the market scare you into pulling out.

Is Your Financial Adviser Infested with BICE?

Is Your Financial Adviser Infested with BICE?

The DOL Fiduciary rule is now in force, but there is a loophole for commissioned advisers which can allow them to maintain their current compensation model. Make sure you understand the Best Interest Contract Exemption and the implications it has on potential conflicts of interest which could influence the investment advice you recieve. 

Do You Know How Your Advisor is Licensed

Do You Know How Your Advisor is Licensed

Between the wide range of meaningless job titles and the alphabet soup of certifications and designations, it's easy for an advisor to hide how they truly do business. One thing an adviser can't hide, however, is how they're licensed. Knowing the license will tell you what they can advise on, how they are compensated, and whether they are fiduciaries.

What the UK Snap Election Means For Your Investments

What the UK Snap Election Means For Your Investments

Despite the headlines and the excitement the UK vote is causing, investors should pay little attention. Avoid the temptation to tinker with your investments based on fear about 'what might happen' because of the UK vote. From an investor's standpoint, little will happen.

The Case For Gold is Actually A Case Against Gold

The Case For Gold is Actually A Case Against Gold

Gold is often pitched by salespeople as the perfect investment; a hedge against inflation, a safe harbor in troubled times, and the true foundation of all currency. Research, however, shows gold isn't any of these things. For each of these concerns, there are better investments you should look at.