For investors who were hoping for a turnaround quarter, better luck next time.

They’re going into the season with weaker earnings expectations as they contend with a pileup of share downgrades.

The New York aggregator’s performance to date “will make it easier for other RIAs to go public,” says industry analyst Chip Roame.

The 4,300-advisor network is investing in insurance distribution after benefiting from rising interest rates and record client assets.

A multi-year reorganization of the firm has lowered head count by more than a quarter but boosted productivity by nearly a half.

A total of 86 publicly traded companies approved new repurchase plans so far this year. That’s nearly twice as many as all of 2017.

A focus on productivity has resulted in attrition of lower producing brokers, the firm says.

The firm is working hard to lure advisors away from its larger rivals, said CEO Ronald Kruszewski.

The executive must attend to a close family member who has recently learned of significant health challenges, a spokeswoman says.

The No. 1 IBD unveiled positive recruiting numbers for the third quarter, alongside an 84% jump in profits.