UBS' Americas unit benefited from a swift uptick in client transactions in April, but that activity has since subsided, CEO Sergio Ermotti told analysts.

Experts say it's not just about cold, hard numbers. Knowing client expectations can also make or break any potential deal.

CEO Ron Kruszewski received praise for leading the firm's wealth management unit to a record for revenue, despite costly legal setbacks.

Edward Jones meanwhile reshuffles its leadership ranks amid its push to become a full-service financial planning firm, and Rockefeller picks up big teams from Merrill.

As LPL fights to keep teams in the fold, competitors are making strong plays and pointing to the large brokerage's perceived blemishes. The founders of KRM Investment Counsel said they also found what they wanted at Arkadios, an employee-owned firm.

Jim Cracchiolo told analysts that the firm's retention "is quite good," even though his company, like many of its rivals, stopped providing statistics to verify such claims.

CEO Paul Shoukry also told analysts that the merger and acquisition deals coursing through the industry could open doors for firms eager to bring in advisors and net new assets.

Record revenue wasn't enough to offset costly legal charges that the firm racked up in the first quarter.

While AI search tools have the potential to provide advisors with additional time to spend with clients, experts say query results should be reviewed with a skeptical eye.

Agreements from LPL Financial and Betterment top a host of merger and acquisition activity that has jumped since the start of this year.