Who are the millennials? Using a generally accepted birth range of 1981 to 1996, they vary in age from 24 to 39 this year. According to Pew Research, the group was set to overtake baby boomers in 2019 as the largest generational cohort in America. And, over the next few decades, millennials are expected to be on the receiving end of a $30 trillion wealth transfer from baby boomers.

Many investors and economists are anticipating a recession ahead, although predictions vary widely as to its timing and severity. It stands to reason, however, that the upcoming election and ongoing economic uncertainty will lead to prolonged stock market volatility, if not a bear market. In times like these, we’re all thinking about methods for protecting client portfolios in an economic downturn. Here, to help you think ahead, my colleague Tom Scarlata and I review current asset allocation strategies to consider.

With the year-end planning season upon us—and with much discussion surrounding if and when a recession will hit—it may be an opportune time to discuss rebalancing strategies for reducing risk in your clients' portfolios. These options are designed to build robust portfolios for the long term, offering strategic and tactical approaches to investing that generate the most attractive returns for investors over time.

Here, we'll discuss three such strategies, including the types of market environments that may be suitable for each one. 

The participant experience in qualified retirement plans has come a long way since investors were asked to create their own portfolio from a simple list of standard funds. A better experience began to emerge as plan participants were offered a “prepackaged” choice of target-date funds (TDFs), which have become increasingly popular. Today, a new trend is taking shape, as many plan sponsors are now considering whether the benefits of managed 401(k) accounts make them worth adding to their lineup.  

One of the hardest tasks for advisors is identifying investment opportunities for your clients that check the right boxes. Sure, names like Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook seem like a safe bet. But it’s the diamonds in the rough that can elude even experienced investment professionals. So, where do you begin when it comes to sourcing fresh ideas?