Mutual Funds

In my years analyzing the finance industry, I have watched the relentless rise of the ETF. We often discuss the common path: an issuer launching a mutual fund and later creating an ETF share class to tap into that demand. But what about the reverse? Why would an asset manager undertake the complex process of […]

I have a confession to make. I spend less time reading asset management reviews than most people think I should. Clients often send me glowing reports or top-rated lists, asking if a particular firm is the key to unlocking market-beating returns. My answer is always the same. These reviews measure something, but it is rarely

I have guided countless investors through the complex landscape of financial products. Few topics generate as much confusion or curiosity as the world of asset management mutual funds. For many, these funds are the bedrock of their retirement plans and investment portfolios. But what exactly are they? How do they function? And most importantly, how

I often find that investors use financial terms interchangeably. They might say they “invest in BlackRock” or they “own some Vanguard.” This casual language points to a common confusion. People mix up the product with the provider. Understanding the difference between an asset management company and a mutual fund is not just semantics. It is

I see many investors drawn to Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs. They offer a compelling proposition: a way to add real estate exposure to a portfolio without the hassle of being a landlord. REITs provide diversification and the potential for strong income through their high dividend yields. But I also see a common mistake.

I spend my days analyzing risk. Not just the obvious risk of a market crash, but the subtle, structural risks that can undermine a financial plan. One of the most overlooked yet critical concepts for investors to grasp is asset-liability mismatch. While the term sounds like jargon reserved for pension fund managers, it has a

I watch money move across markets every day. The ebbs and flows of capital are a powerful signal. They tell a story about investor psychology, economic trends, and market performance. Few metrics capture this story better than asset flows into mutual funds. This is not just dry data. It represents the collective decision-making of millions

I spend a great deal of time analyzing the fine print of mutual funds. Most investors focus on performance and fees, and rightly so. But some of the most critical information lies in the less glamorous details—the mechanisms that protect your capital. One of the most important, yet often overlooked, of these safeguards is the

I build portfolios for a living. My first task with any new client is to establish a foundation. We must speak the same language. And that language begins with asset classes. When you understand asset classes, you understand the fundamental materials of investing. An asset class mutual fund is the most efficient tool for most

I find that the most effective financial tools often have the most complex names. The Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility, or AMLF, is a perfect example. Its name is a mouthful, but its purpose during the 2008 financial crisis was singular and critical. It was a lifeline. It was a emergency