Portfolio

The beginning of the year is a great time to handle many estate planning tasks. Use this to-do list with clients to give their plans a review and update.

"The prospects for organic growth for RIAs and IBDs have never been greater. We expect to see more lift-out and advisors turning independent activity in 2015," says Liz Nesvold, managing partner of New York-based investment banker Silver Lane.

One of the first new investments from parent company RCS Capital will become available to all nine – and eventually 11 – IBDs by May.

Iran will get its first index exchange- traded fund tomorrow with the instrument’s creator betting on growing foreign demand for the nation’s stocks as it nears a deal to end sanctions over its nuclear program.

Clients can lengthen their long-term care insurance policy's elimination period, making the coverage more affordable; Plus, deciding whether a Roth or traditional IRA is right for your client.

Some fixed-income funds behave like equities, failing to give sufficient downside protection to a diversified portfolio.

Buy an index fund and let the bull market guide you to a 44% gain. Most money managers who actually pick stocks couldn't match the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, let alone beat it. Thanks to three weeks of volatility, that’s beginning to change.

Focus partner firms managed $31 billion and advised on another $10 billion, according to their recent ADV filings -- considerably less than the $70 billion in "total client assets" the firm had previously publicized.

Two Merrill Lynch advisors left the wirehouse for independent firm Snowden Lane Partners.

There are 13 states that subject Social Security benefits to tax; Plus, why investors shouldn't hold an annuity in their Roth IRAs.