Investments

It can take a lot of work to set up, but planners who help clients use effective cash flow management can greatly improve their lives.

There’s a surge of interest in learning more about the complexities of alternative investments. Don’t be left behind.

Index funds, robo advisors and likely Labor Department regulations are all putting pressure on the traditional 1% AUM fee model.

Passive investing is all the rage but there’s another fund family that’s quietly but exponentially growing.

Recent volatility in the stock market shows that people need an "idiot proof" safety blanket such as Social Security to ensure they will be guaranteed an income after they leave the workforce; Plus, 3 moves to make in a crazy market.

Bank of New York Mellon, which has been plagued for the past week with computer problems that prevented it from providing prices for mutual funds and ETFs, said today it has provided net asset values for both through Friday.

For almost 30 minutes as hundreds of billions of dollars were erased from equities, no signals were sent by the world’s most popular sentiment gauge as options prices turned erratic. When it switched on, the VIX jerked higher faster than anyone had ever seen, rising 82% on its first tick to 51, a level not reached since the financial crisis.

The decline in the stock market gives clients an opportunity to convert their traditional IRA to a Roth IRA; Plus, Gen X is sleeping through retirement wake-up call.

Investment costs, including inflation, can put a heavier dent on retirement income than many clients realize; Plus, can downsizing save a client's retirement?

"BlackRock is potentially a very powerful partner for advisors," says Sean McDermott, Corporate Insight analyst.

Mutual fund giant Fidelity Investments is warning deflationary pressures in the U.S. are building.

Which firms on the S&P 500 have the most cash on hand?

Equity allocations are generally higher than years past even for retirees, but some clients are still overexposed to stocks; Plus, the idea of privatizing Social Security is being suggested again by some.

BlackRock said it is acquiring digital wealth management firm FutureAdvisor, joining the ever more crowded ranks of robo advisors.

Robo advisors say they managed the downturn with little pressure from clients. Some in the industry wonder if that was a good thing.

Advisors reported that client allocations changed little in July, but worries about economic troubles were mushrooming, according to a recent survey.

Risk assessment and rebalancing are especially important when the market goes on wild swings; Plus, how clients can benefit from the market correction.

Volatile times can be scary, but clients may be more prepared than they think they are -- helping them realize that will make riding out the tough times a lot easier, columnist Jonathan Clements says.

"This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Doesn't mean we like it. It wasn't a great start to my week, I can tell you that," says Scott Tiras, an independent advisor affiliated with Ameriprise.

Planners worry about client fatigue if the downdraft drags on.