

Orion's The Weighing Machine
Orion Portfolio Solutions
Orion’s The Weighing Machine How does Orion help financial advisors guide investors toward their financial goals? We provide the services and solutions advisors need to help clients stay invested in balanced portfolios. On Orion’s “The Weighing Machine,” featuring Orion Chief Investment Officer Rusty Vanneman, CFA, CMT, BFA, we cut through the market clamor and focus on time-tested principles that help financial advisors and investors reach their long-term financial goals. Each podcast reviews weekly commentary by Orion’s investment team and features a special guest to discuss market headlines.
Wealth Management services are offered by Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC d/b/a Brinker Capital Investments a registered investment advisor. Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Orion Advisor Solutions, Inc. (“Orion”).
The CFA®️ is a globally respected, graduate-level investment credential established in 1962 and awarded by CFA Institute — the largest global association of investment professionals. To learn more about the CFA charter, visit www.cfainstitute.org.
The CMT Program demonstrates mastery of a core body of knowledge of investment risk in portfolio management. The Chartered Market Technician®️ (CMT) designation marks the highest education within the discipline and is the preeminent designation for practitioners of technical analysis worldwide. To learn more about the CMT, visit https://cmtassociation.org/.
Think2perform’s Behavioral Financial Advice program integrates traditional finance practices with psychology and neuroscience to improve emotional competency and decision-making behavior that increases effective usage of the financial plan with clients. To obtain the Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA) designation, participants must complete a self-directed course, which takes 20-30 hours to complete, and includes a mix of interactive exercises, videos and case studies. To learn more about the BFA, visit https://www.think2perform.com.
0503-OPS-3/4/2024
Wealth Management services are offered by Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC d/b/a Brinker Capital Investments a registered investment advisor. Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Orion Advisor Solutions, Inc. (“Orion”).
The CFA®️ is a globally respected, graduate-level investment credential established in 1962 and awarded by CFA Institute — the largest global association of investment professionals. To learn more about the CFA charter, visit www.cfainstitute.org.
The CMT Program demonstrates mastery of a core body of knowledge of investment risk in portfolio management. The Chartered Market Technician®️ (CMT) designation marks the highest education within the discipline and is the preeminent designation for practitioners of technical analysis worldwide. To learn more about the CMT, visit https://cmtassociation.org/.
Think2perform’s Behavioral Financial Advice program integrates traditional finance practices with psychology and neuroscience to improve emotional competency and decision-making behavior that increases effective usage of the financial plan with clients. To obtain the Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA) designation, participants must complete a self-directed course, which takes 20-30 hours to complete, and includes a mix of interactive exercises, videos and case studies. To learn more about the BFA, visit https://www.think2perform.com.
0503-OPS-3/4/2024
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 30, 2024 • 38min
Alex Rabinovich of Halo Investing - Protective Investing: What Is It and Can It Work for Your Clients?
Alex Rabinovich, CFA has a diverse range of work experience in the finance industry. Alex is currently the Head of Enterprise Sales at Halo Investing, a position they have held since January 2023. Prior to that, Alex worked at Russell Investments for almost a decade. Their roles at Russell Investments include Head of Strategic Accounts, where they led a team focused on expanding distribution with national intermediary partners and was responsible for planning and executing business plans. Alex also served as Director of Strategic Accounts, where they initiated and launched new strategic relationships with top broker dealers/distributors. Additionally, Alex worked as a Senior Strategic Account Executive at Russell Investments, collaborating with senior-level contacts at partner firms to grow market share and lead partner-focused initiatives. Before joining Russell Investments, Alex held roles at Morningstar as Vice President of National Accounts and Director of National Accounts, and at AssetMark Investment Services as a Regional Consultant. Alex began their career as a Financial Advisor at John Hancock. Overall, Alex's work experience demonstrates their expertise in strategic account management, sales, and leadership in the finance industry.Key Takeaways[03:18] - Alex’s professional background and career highlights.[04:41] - What is “protective investing” in particular?[06:30] - How do Defined Outcome products help clients achieve their financial goals?[07:35] - Are the terms “Defined Outcome Investing” and “Protective Investing” synonymous?[08:30] - How does Alex feel like the Defined Outcome landscape is changing?[10:56] - How are advisors using structured products to really differentiate and grow their practices?[14:18] - What exactly are structured notes and what are some of their use cases?[16:52] - Why did structured notes often have a bad reputation in the past and was this reputation deserved?[18:56] - How does Alex see structured notes fitting into broader portfolio allocations? [22:49] - Why are structured notes more popular in Europe and how is the adoption of structured notes going in US markets?[27:04] - Alex’s favorite investment idea for 2024.LinksAlex Rabinovich on LinkedInHalo Investing“It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)" by AC/DCThe Ancients PodcastThe Fund by Rob CopelandThe Psychology of Money by Morgan HouselConnect with UsMeet Rusty Vanneman, Orion’s Chief Investment OfficerCheck Out All of Orion’s PodcastsCompliance Code: 0178-OPS-1/24/2024Disclosure(s) Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC, an Orion Company, is a registered investment advisor.

Jan 23, 2024 • 45min
Phil Toews of Toews Asset Management - What's Ahead in 2024?
Phil Toews is Chief Executive Officer of the Toews Corporation and a Portfolio Manager of Toews Asset Management. His management strategies focus on creating “investor friendly” products designed to meet investors’ economic and behavioral needs. Phillip is the founder of the Behavioral Investing Institute, an organization devoted to helping advisors manage investor behavior through market challenges. Learn more at orion.com.Key Takeaways[03:55] - Phillip’s personal and career background.[04:58] - What really sets Toews apart from other asset management firms?[06:43] - Will this coming year be a case of the bears eating the “Goldilocks market?”[08:58] - What are the odds that a recession is on the horizon?[10:47] - Can we expect subsequent waves of inflation, as history might suggest?[12:47] - Why is global debt a problem and what should investors be doing about their portfolios because of it?[15:10] - What market scenarios do the terms “bezzle,” “bezzle fizzle” and “bezzle burst” describe?[18:44] - What does Phil’s term “BFT” mean and how does it apply to investing?[21:36] - How would Phil contrast a tactical strategy from a hedged strategy?[24:48] - Are there any rough rules of thumb that Phil recommends for the respective portfolio weights for both trend following strategies or hedge strategies?[28:42] - Words of wisdom for how financial advisors can properly utilize trend following and hedge strategies?[31:30] - What is “National Investment Risk Day” and why did Toews help start this?[37:11] - What is Phil’s favorite investment idea currently?Quotes[20:55] - "...People just are sort of not into the word ‘tactical’ anymore, and I think what’s happened over the years is that there are people out there that are trying to predict the markets and they haven’t done so well, and so I think it has gotten a little bit of a bad name…so we migrated that over to ‘trend following strategies.’" ~ Phil Toews[32:32] - "Now Bitcoin is, or Cryptocurrencies are, the trifecta of dumb. No assets, no income or no projected income, so forget about a meme stock that potentially actually earns something one day - there’s nothing. [Yet] it has appreciated 18 million percent in the last 20 years, and only because [of that]...everyone says like…’I think this could be a legitimate thing, this could be a legitimate investment.’" ~ Phil ToewsLinksPhil Toews on LinkedInToews Corporation“Remember Me” by Blue BoyRecord Global Debt - Phil Toews on Weighing the RisksNational Investment Risk Day Webinar“Space Oddity” by David Bowie“Kooks” by David BowieConnect with UsMeet Rusty Vanneman, Orion’s Chief Investment OfficerCheck Out All of Orion’s PodcastsPower Your Growth with OrionCompliance Code: 0131-OPS-1/17/2024Disclosure(s)Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC, an Orion Company, is a registered investment advisor.

Jan 16, 2024 • 35min
Jeff DeMaso of The Independent Vanguard Adviser - Vanguard’s Biggest Moves in 2023
As we move into the New Year, we take a closer look at the market’s historic year, offer a preview on the year to come, look at bond predictions, global investing and much more. Today on the podcast, Rusty and Robyn are joined by Jeff DeMaso - editor and founder of The Independent Vanguard Adviser. Jeff was previously the co-editor and research director of The Independent Adviser for Vanguard Investors. He also served as Portfolio Manager, Director of Research and the interim CIO at Adviser Investments, LLC—a leading investment advisory firm. He has been quoted in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, InvestmentNews and Kiplinger, to name a few. Citywire named him a Rising Star of manager research in 2019. Jeff graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University with a B.A. in economics in 2006 and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.Key Takeaways[03:04] - Jeff’s research, professional background and what drives him.[05:57] - What really motivates Jeff’s newsletter, The Independent Vanguard Adviser?[07:40] - What were some of the biggest events for Vanguard in 2023 and which are the ones that investors should care about the most?[09:30] - What does Jeff like best about Vanguard and where does he think they could improve?[11:02] - Vanguard’s latest thoughts on ESG strategies.[13:55] - The top highlights and lowlights for the 2023 market.[15:58] - Jeff’s economic and market outlook for 2024.[19:00] - Jeff’s view on the healthcare sector moving forward.[21:00] - How should investors be treating their bond allocations these days?[22:35] - Are many of Jeff’s readers asking if they should move their investment funds to money market accounts? If so, how is he addressing this with them?[24:23] - Jeff’s take on non-US stocks, both strategically and tactically, in balanced portfolios.[26:17] - What is his favorite investment idea, currently, for 2024?Quotes[04:18] - "That’s going to be my career hack…find the person you can learn the most from and go work with them as closely as possible. Ask questions, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and just keep learning." ~ Jeff DeMaso[10:15] - "...Vanguard’s service in tech…continues to fall short of its competitors, and I cannot wait for the day when I get to write the article that says ‘Hey, Vanguard has really stepped up their game and their service is firing on all cylinders’ - today is not that day." ~ Jeff DeMasoLinksJeff DeMaso on LinkedInThe Independent Vanguard AdviserAloe Blacc - The Man (Explicit)Just One Thing PodcastMorgan Housel PodcastConnect with UsMeet Rusty Vanneman, Orion’s Chief Investment OfficerCheck Out All of Orion’s PodcastsPower Your Growth with OrionCompliance Code: 0031-OPS-1/5/2024Disclosure(s)Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC, an Orion Company, is a registered investment advisor.

Jan 12, 2024 • 34min
Kim Arthur of Main Management - Market Outlooks
As 2023 comes to a close, this episode looks at what may be in store for the year ahead and covers things that investors and financial advisors should be considering going into 2024. Kim speaks to the state of the US market going forward and the outlook for international markets in the coming year. In addition, we take a closer look at why Kim views actively managed ETFs as superior, more tax efficient vehicles to mutual funds for investors. Lastly, we learn more about Main Management’s firm culture and how Kim, and his partners, have created such a sticky culture there.Key Takeaways[02:52] - Kim’s professional background and career highlights.[04:32] - What makes Main Management really stand out as a firm?[06:13] - Kim’s current thoughts on the economy and his outlook for 2024.[08:02] - Kim’s view on interest rates and how investors should be treating their bond allocations.[09:26] - Advice for income oriented advisors who want to stick their investment dollars into money markets.[10:30] - The state of the US market going forward and the argument for staying diversified.[11:55] - Kim’s philosophy around sector rotation and what sectors look attractive to him now.[13:43] - Council for investors concerned with income generation and de-risking their equity allocation.[15:23] - The outlook for international markets in 2024.[17:01] - How Main Management helps mitigate the tax burden for their clients.[19:31] - Why Kim views the ETF as a superior vehicle to mutual funds for investors.[21:46] - The importance of firm culture and how Kim has excelled in this area.[25:00] - Kim’s favorite investment idea currently.Quotes[04:34] - "When we founded the firm 21 years ago, we wanted to build the strategies using liquid, transparent ETFs, which for all intents and purposes had really just started at that point. There were only one hundred, there are thousands of them today…but what we wanted to deliver, the why for the business, was we wanted to have a client first, exceptional service and deliver on expectations." ~ Kim Arthur[12:00] - "…Out of the eleven industry sectors that build up and make up the S&P 500, we typically overweight four of those. I’d love to be able to tell you ‘hey, every year all four of those are at the top of the price performance chart,’ but it usually does not end up that way. There’s typically a split of two of them up at the top and two of them at the bottom…[so] I like to say they’re ‘seasoning.’ " ~ Kim ArthurLinksKim Arthur on LinkedInMain Management“Surrender” by Cheap TrickElon Musk by Walter IsaacsonConnect with UsMeet Rusty Vanneman, Orion’s Chief Investment OfficerCheck Out All of Orion’s PodcastsPower Your Growth with OrionCompliance Code: 0067-OPS-1/9/2024Disclosure(s)Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC, an Orion Company, is a registered investment advisor.

Jan 9, 2024 • 40min
Caleb Brown of New Planner Recruiting - How to Find the Best Talent for Your Firm
As we move into the New Year, and firms are in the process of creating formal growth plans and budgets, we take a closer look at what it takes to find and keep new talent. In this episode, Rusty and Robyn are joined by hiring expert Caleb Brown, Co-Founder and CEO at New Planner Recruiting in Athens, GA. Caleb weighs in on strategies for financial advisory firms looking to recruit top talent and strategies for talent to find the best firms.Key Takeaways[03:05] - Caleb’s diverse professional background and his role at New Planner.[05:39] - A macro assessment of the financial planning industry’s future growth[06:52] - What salary and hiring trends is Caleb seeing in the financial planning space?[08:29] - How might artificial intelligence impact the financial planning profession?[10:32] - How big of an impact does the CFP credential have on getting a job in the industry? How does it impact your compensation level and attracting prospective clients?[14:02] - What advice does Caleb have for financial planners looking for fresh talent?[17:56] - What are best practices for creating enticing job listings?[21:18] - How long is a typical hiring cycle and how does that differ if you are hiring a recent college graduate, a career changer or an experienced planner?[23:17] - How does the recruiting process differ for Gen Y than for other generations?[29:24] - How should people gauge if they are a good fit for the financial services profession?[32:51] - What is Caleb’s favorite investment idea currently?Quotes[07:29] - "What we do is we ask all the candidates that we’re talking to, so it’s a little different from the other surveys out there that are having firm owners fill out how much they pay their people. We’re asking the candidates, because in my world what someone is making now is irrelevant - it’s, what is it going to take for them to look at something else?" ~ Caleb Brown[28:22] - "I would say to try to promote people probably before they’re ready. Put them in there, let them take a swing…Looking back at my career, you know I was probably just a run of the mill, average candidate, but someone was constantly pushing me out of my comfort zone every day…I look back and I can’t believe all of the stuff we achieved at that firm." ~ Caleb BrownLinksCaleb Brown on LinkedInNew Planner RecruitingFor Whom the Bell Tolls by MetallicaMichael KitcesWho Not HowConnect with UsMeet Rusty Vanneman, Orion’s Chief Investment OfficerCheck Out All of Orion’s PodcastsPower Your Growth with OrionCompliance Code: 0022-OPS-1/3/2024Disclosure(s)Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC, an Orion Company, is a registered investment advisor.

Dec 26, 2023 • 39min
Ed Rosenberg of Texas Capital Bank - Investing in Texas and the Future of the ETF Industry
The case for investing in Texas goes beyond its iconic cowboy culture and vast scenery. It's deeply rooted in the state's business-friendly environment and thriving economic network. Capitalizing on its unique blend of tax advantages and unmatched potential for economic growth, Texas has emerged as an attractive destination for financial investments. Meanwhile, the ETF industry is expected to sustain its upward trajectory, with more assets flowing from mutual funds to ETFs.In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Edward Rosenberg, Managing Director and Head of ETF and Funds Management at Texas Capital Bank. Edward believes that every firm needs to have ETFs in its offerings, whether they realize it or not. Why? ETFs offer trading flexibility, diversification, greater transparency, tax benefits, and lower operating costs than traditional open-end funds. There is so much room for expansion, and the possibilities are endless. Edward talks to Rusty and Robyn about the case for investing in Texas. He explains how Texas's business-friendly environment and tax benefits can contribute to a company's bottom line. Edward also shares his thoughts on the future of the ETF industry, including the projected growth and the role of direct indexing and model portfolios.Key Takeaways
[02:59] - What led Edward to specialize in ETFs?
[05:20] - An overview of Texas Capital Bank and its ETF lineup.
[07:50] - The case for investing in Texas.
[12:21] - Composition of the Texas Capital Texas Equity Index ETF.
[14:01] - How ETFs fit into a portfolio.
[16:09] - The projected growth of the ETF industry.
[19:03] - How direct indexing complements ETF portfolios.
[21:58] - How the ETF models can compete against the models from big firms.
[24:25] - Edward's thoughts on the ETF industry and its future.
[27:14] - How Edward maintains his energy to perform at a high level.
[28:28] - Edward's favorite investment idea.
[31:06] - The people Edward is thankful for professionally.
[33:07] - Edward's recommendations for content.
Quotes[09:39] - "The business environment of the Texas estate along with the tax benefits that individuals get can really add to a company's bottom line." ~ Edward Rosenberg[11:17] - "Texas has more companies publicly traded or listed on the exchanges than any other state. This shows a diverse economy growing much faster than the entire U.S. economy and in most states across the board." ~ Edward Rosenberg[23:09] - "If everybody's the same and you're an advisor, how can you differentiate yourself? You have to look at the newer products or active ETFs. You have to be different to really add value to what you're doing." ~ Edward RosenbergLinks
Edward Rosenberg on LinkedIn
Texas Capital Bank
The Black Crowes
Aerosmith
Vanguard
Northern Trust
American Century Investments
Rob Holmes
Morningstar
Merrill Lynch
Morgan Stanley
LPL Financial
BlackRock
iShares
Charles Schwab
Shundrawn Thomas
ETF.com
NYSE
Connect with Us
Meet Rusty Vanneman, Orion's Chief Investment Officer
Check Out All of Orion's Podcasts
Power Your Growth with Orion
3364-OPS-12/27/2023

Dec 19, 2023 • 37min
David Schulhof of MUSQ - Exploring Investment Opportunities in the Growing Music Industry
The music industry is a powerful force, shaping culture and influencing society across the globe. As the industry experiences a golden age, driven by increased streaming subscriptions, the resurgence of live music, and the advent of digital technology, those with a keen eye for innovation recognize that investing in the music industry is not just about the present but also a journey into the future of exciting possibilities.In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with David Schulhof, Founder and CEO of MUSQ. David is an American music industry executive and investor with 30 years of experience in the field. David’s background in the music industry is extensive, having previously served as the president of music publishing at LiveOne, a global media company for live streaming and on-demand audio, video, and podcast content. He is also the former president of music at AGC Studios and IM Global Studios and was the co-founder and CEO of Evergreen Copyrights, where he pursued a global acquisition strategy of music publishing catalogs.Having worked with top artists and Grammy winners and founded multiple music companies, David talks to Rusty and Robyn about the growing music industry and the investment opportunities it presents. He explores the different segments of the industry, including streaming, content, live music, technology, and radio. David also highlights the rapid growth of the music industry, particularly in streaming and live music, and the potential for further expansion in emerging markets. Key Takeaways
[03:24] - David's career in the music industry.
[04:37] - The reason behind the creation of the MUSQ ETF.
[05:42] - How to get into MUSQ ETF.
[06:46] - Investment case for the music industry.
[11:35] - The expected growth in the music industry across different segments.
[15:44] - Global growth in the music industry.
[17:11] - The biggest players in streaming services.
[18:36] - Other companies investors should be paying attention to.
[19:52] - Valuations of music companies compared to other media companies.
[20:41] - The potential benefits and risks of AI in the music industry.
[23:33] - David's recommendations for new music.
[26:28] - How David maintains his energy and ability to perform at his best.
[28:11] - The people David is grateful for professionally.
[29:02] - David's recommendations for content.
Quotes[06:54] - "Music today is the most overlooked, underhyped, and under-monetized media asset. And music today is the best content story in the history of media." ~ David Schulhof[09:02] - "The music industry's really going through a golden age. It's growing and outperforming the GDP by four times." ~ David Schulhof[13:53] - "In terms of music, AI is really disruptive right now. It is revolutionizing creativity and productivity for artists and songwriters." ~ David SchulhofLinks
David Schulhof on LinkedIn
David Schulhof on Twitter
MUSQ ETF
Rock The Bells by LL COOL J
Made You Look by Nas
Bust A Move by Young MC
Interscope Records
Universal Music
Robert Rodriguez
Kevin Smith
KKR
Apollo Global Management
Providence Equity
Goldman Sachs
Taylor Swift
Beyoncé
Harry Styles
Ed Sheeran
Sony Music
JYP Entertainment
SM Entertainment
Yamaha Corporation
Sonos
Roland
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
Google Play Music
LiveOne
NexTone Inc.
Live Nation Entertainment
SoundCloud
Zach Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Bruce Springsteen
Music Money and Success by Todd and Jeff Brabec
Music Business Worldwide
All You Need To Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman
Connect with Us
Meet Rusty Vanneman, Orion's Chief Investment Officer
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Power Your Growth with Orion
3313-OPS-12/15/2023

Dec 12, 2023 • 40min
Rand Wrighton of Barrow Hanley Global Investors - Value Investing: How Value Outperforms Growth
Value investing has proven to be a successful strategy over the long term. While growth stocks have dominated the market, factors such as economic recovery, higher interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical risks could contribute to a sustained period of outperformance for value investing. By strategically investing in undervalued assets with strong upside potential, investors can navigate the complexities of the market, achieving superior returns over the long run.In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Rand Wrighton, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at Barrow Hanley Global Investors. Rand began his investment career at Barrow Hanley as a research analyst covering the Industrials, Energy, and Technology sectors. In 2006, he joined an internal group at Barrow Hanley to lead the firm's expansion into non-U.S., Global, and Emerging Market investment products. In his current role, Rand manages portfolios for the Barrow Hanley Emerging Markets and Non-U.S. Value strategies.A value investor who focuses on finding undervalued stocks with strong fundamentals and good balance sheets, Rand talks about the current state and best market conditions for value investing. He also shares his insights on the current economic outlook and the impact of geopolitical risks. He touches on the U.S. dollar, the energy sector, recession, and inflation risk and offers advice on how to invest successfully in value. Key Takeaways
[03:43] - Rand's professional background and how his experience shaped him to where he is today.
[06:02] - What sets Barrow Hanley apart from other firms?
[07:01] - How Barrow Hanley defines value investing.
[07:59] - The best market conditions for value investing.
[11:49] - How Barrow Hanley adapts its value investing strategy to changing market conditions.
[13:32] - Rand's outlook on recession and inflation risks.
[17:11] - How geopolitical risks impact Rand's decision-making.
[21:49] - How Rand positions his portfolio in the energy sector.
[24:35] - The impact of the U.S. dollar on Rand's portfolio positioning.
[26:38] - Rand's advice on how to be successful in value investing.
[29:04] - The people who have influenced Rand in value investing.
[30:20] - Rand's criteria for diversification within portfolios.
[32:21] - How Rand maintains his physical and mental energy to perform at his best.
[33:20] - The people Rand learned life lessons from.
[34:59] - Rand's recommendations for content.
Quotes[09:30] - "Recessions are where you reallocate human and physical capital from areas that have been good places to be to areas that will be the next good places to be." ~ Rand Wrighton[26:57] - "You need to think about investments in a way that makes sense to you and is tailored to your knowledge set, and that is something you can stick with." ~ Rand Wrighton[30:07] - "Sticking to your discipline is really one of the secrets to success in our business." ~ Rand WrightonLinks
Rand Wrighton on LinkedIn
Barrow Hanley
Moneytalks by AC/DC
Deutsche Bank
The Intelligent Investor
Emerson Electric
Connect with Us
Meet Rusty Vanneman, Orion's Chief Investment Officer
Check Out All of Orion's Podcasts
Power Your Growth with Orion
3303-OPS-12/13/2023

Dec 5, 2023 • 28min
Andy Smock of Merganser Capital Management - Navigating Volatility in the Interest Rate Markets
Current economic conditions, marked by fluctuating interest rates and potential recessions, have sparked many investors to re-evaluate their investment strategies. By diligently monitoring trends and strategically adjusting asset allocations, investors can position themselves to not only weather the challenges but also capitalize on opportunities that arise from the ups and downs of the interest rate market.In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Andy Smock, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Principal at Merganser Capital Management. Andy joined Merganser in 2003. Earlier in his career, he focused on researching and trading both residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities. In his current role, Andy oversees the company's investment team and is a portfolio manager for their longer-duration strategies. With extensive experience in the fixed-income market, Andy talks to Rusty and Robyn about fixed income and fluctuations in the interest rate market. He discusses the reasons behind the large swings in interest rates and the trends within fixed income, including shifting demands from investors. Andy also shares his macro perspective on inflation and the potential for a recession and provides insights on the status of regional banks and the commercial real estate market.Key Takeaways
[02:32] - Andy's background and work at Merganser Capital Management.
[03:27] - The reasons behind the large swings in interest rates.
[05:22] - Strategic allocation shifts in response to interest rate movement.
[06:54] - Notable trends in fixed income.
[08:20] - What Andy sees as demands from investors.
[09:57] - Andy's view on inflation.
[12:05] - The possibility of a recession.
[14:12] - The reasons for a bank crisis.
[15:38] - The challenges facing commercial real estate.
[18:46] - How Andy maintains his mental and physical energy to perform at a high level.
[20:36] - The people Andy is professionally thankful for.
[23:16] - Andy's recommendations for content.
Quotes[05:02] - "The drivers [large swing of interest rates] have been all over the place. You can really point to economic data on certain days or geopolitical." ~ Andy Smock[10:04] - "Inflation is definitely coming down. Every way I look at the data, it's clearly dropping from really disturbingly high levels." ~ Andy Smock[11:35] - "Inflation is coming down. And for it to meaningfully come down and quickly come down to target, we're going to need to see weakness in the consumer much more than we have." ~ Andy SmockLinks
Andy Smock on LinkedIn
Merganser Capital Management
Close to Me by The Cure
Indiana University
From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks
A Bird's-Eye View of the Bond Market Podcast
Connect with Us
Meet Rusty Vanneman, Orion's Chief Investment Officer
Check Out All of Orion's Podcasts
Power Your Growth with Orion
3225-OPS-12/1/2023

Nov 28, 2023 • 34min
Brett Van Bortel of Invesco Consulting - The Five Criteria for Building Successful Client Relationships
Building strategic partnerships with attorneys and accountants can be a game-changer for financial advisors with the power to redefine the trajectory of an advisor's career. By unlocking the code of how to build a strategic partnership with these professionals, financial advisors can have a consistent flow of high-net-worth referrals.In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Brett Van Bortel, Director of Consulting Services at Invesco Consulting. Brett has been with Invesco since 2010 and specializes in helping financial professionals be more profitable, effective, and productive. He has developed and delivered numerous consulting programs designed to increase the profitability, effectiveness, and productivity of financial professionals. As a speaker and consultant, Brett focuses on helping financial professionals build strategic partnerships with attorneys and CPAs to create a pipeline of high-net-worth referrals.Brett joins Rusty and Robyn to discuss how financial advisors can build strategic partnerships that grow their businesses. He dives into the importance of creating pipelines of high-net-worth referrals from attorneys and accountants and how to build successful client relationships. Brett also shares the challenges and solutions in building these partnerships and the five criteria for evaluating potential strategic partnerships.Key Takeaways
[03:25] - Brett's career background.
[04:10] - What separates Invesco apart from other firms?
[04:52] - Why “The Referral Code” resonates with financial advisors.
[06:05] - The question financial advisors need to ask when starting a business.
[06:52] - How financial professionals create successful strategic partnerships.
[13:48] - The challenges and solutions in building strategic partnerships.
[16:28] - The five criteria for evaluating potential strategic partnerships.
[20:30] - The meaning of 'next' in Brett's “The Referral Code” presentation.
[22:08] - An overview of Invesco's Practice Innovation Index.
[24:09] - What Invesco's Total CX is all about.
[25:05] - How AI impacts the financial markets.
[26:38] - The people Brett is thankful for professionally.
[28:05] - Brett's recommendations for content.
Quotes[07:54] - "One good COI (center of influence) doesn't make your year. It makes your career." - Brett Van Bortel[11:02] - "You don't have to network with a huge number of people to be successful." ~ Brett Van Bortel[26:14] - "The ability of the advisor to demonstrate that level of care really can't be matched by AI as we know it today." - Brett Van BortelLinks
Brett Van Bortel on LinkedIn
Invesco
I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty
The Referral Code presentation
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