Global investing

Thematic ETFs have proliferated as funds started in the last six months looking to trade on political agendas, such as tax reform and infrastructure spending.

“Severely undervalued companies,” were highlighted by investment exec panelists at the annual Morningstar Investment Conference.

Money has flowed out of the vehicles as growth favors stocks.

Taking an agnostic approach, the firm seeks international opportunities. Plus; other launches.

The S&P 500 has limited potential for returns over the next couple of years, in contrast to European equities, which are trading at a discount to their U.S. counterparts.

Only four non-U.S. funds offer both a dividend focus and an expense ratio under 0.35%.

Clients can omit companies that participate in “non-biblical activities” by investing in the new ETFs from Inspire Investing. Plus: other launches.

MarketRiders is the latest digital platform aimed at a specific minority investor community.

The new product tracks the smart beta index designed by Robert Shiller and Barclays.

Advisers report that the president's policies (and tweets) are affecting fund allocation requests.

The firm's latest offering provides access to international equity markets. Plus: Other launches.

Planners act on expectations of pro-business, anti-trade initiatives by the incoming administration.

"People want to chase gains," an adviser says of clients.

What Trump and rising interest rates may mean for advisers.

Advisers and clients stockpile cash while waiting for better buying opportunities.

Clients are becoming less cautious about upping allocations to developed international and emerging market stocks, planners report.

Clients are hesitant to invest more in the face of global upheaval, advisers say, citing the recent coup attempt in Turkey, terrorist attacks and the outcome of the U.S. election.

With markets struggling to forecast the outcome and Donald Trump's erratic moves, planners are worried about how the new government will impact their business.

"If we don't see better-than anticipated corporate earnings I think the rally will be short-lived," Laurence Fink said.