Orion's The Weighing Machine

When it comes to investing, the stakes are high. One bad decision can mean a loss of money, time, or opportunity. While there are many products and strategies an advisor can access and implement, how can they find the best ones to ensure their clients avoid costly mistakes and maximize their returns?  In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Christopher Hart, Head of Investment Due Diligence at...

Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, have become increasingly popular as investors look for a simple, diversified, and cost-effective approach to investing. While ETFs provide a convenient way for investors to gain exposure to a wide range of assets, in what direction is the ETF market headed in the future? In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Eric Biegeleisen, Partner and Deputy Chief Investment...

Direct indexing is becoming one of the fastest-growing strategies in wealth management. This strategy involves creating and maintaining a portfolio that tracks the constituents of a benchmark index, such as the S&P 500. As direct indexing allows investors to customize and tailor their portfolios around specific investment interests and weight holdings according to their preferences, the trend of f...

In today's economy, investors face both challenges and opportunities. With global events, changing interest rates, and market volatility impacting the investment landscape, it's more important than ever to stay informed and educated on the industry's most pressing issues. In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Paula Wieck, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at Commerce Trust Company....

As we move into 2023, the global economy remains in flux. Despite some signs of recovery, uncertainty continues to dominate the financial markets, and investors are increasingly looking for a safe haven to protect their money. What are some of the investment strategies that can help investors manage risk and maximize returns? In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Stanley Sattler, Director of...

Investing in the stock market can be tricky. With so many different strategies available, it can be difficult to know where to start. Considering the current rollercoaster scenario in the market, how can investors make informed decisions about buying and selling assets and maximize their returns? In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with David Lundgren, Founder and Chief Market Strategist at MOTR...

Sustainable investing has gained significant traction as more investors integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their investment decision-making process. Although there are many different sustainable investing strategies that investors can choose from, they are all intended to generate long-term financial returns while creating a positive impact on society and the enviro...

It’s that time of year again! Investors and market analysts are looking ahead to the coming year, and 2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the economy. Looking ahead, what factors will likely shape the market, and how can advisors utilize them to their advantage? In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Kim Arthur, President and CEO of Main Management, LLC. Kim is a regular speaker at n...

As the need for sophisticated investment management has grown, OCIO has become an increasingly popular solution for institutional investors and advisory firms looking for comprehensive, turnkey investment management. Partnering with an OCIO team connects investment strategies and products directly to investors' unique financial goals, risk targets, and plans. It is a powerful model to increase ope...

Natural resources and commodities provide investors with a unique opportunity to benefit from the long-term appreciation of these assets. While global economic trends largely drive the performance of natural resources and commodities, these assets have historically outperformed traditional asset classes, such as stocks and bonds, during periods of inflation.  In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk...

In this episode, Rusty talks with Jeff DeMaso, Editor and Founder of The Independent Vanguard Adviser. Jeff is also the interim CIO and Director of Research at Adviser Investments. He has been quoted in USA Today, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, InvestmentNews, and Kiplinger, to name a few, and named a Rising Star of manager research in 2019 by Citywire.  Jeff launched The Independent V...

In the current market conditions, investors are looking for more than just average returns. They are looking for protection against downside risk and the ability to generate alpha. While the question of how to best construct a portfolio has no one-size-fits-all answer, certain best practices can help advisors build a better portfolio. In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Paul Ma, Vice Presid...

Advisors are an important part of the investment ecosystem. They help clients develop investment strategies and provide guidance on allocating assets best. Although every advisor has a unique approach to managing portfolios, they share one goal in common: to manage a portfolio that meets their client's expectations. In this episode, Rusty talks with Bryce Skaff, Co-Head of Global Client Group at D...

Inflation has been rising steadily since the beginning of the year and is now at a level considered concerning by many economists. And while the Fed has been raising interest rates to keep inflation in check, it is becoming increasingly difficult. With inflation remaining stubbornly high, many believe a recession is becoming increasingly likely. What does this mean for the fixed-income market and...

In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Kenneth Sleeper, Ocean Park Asset Management's Co-Founder, Co-Managing Director, and Portfolio Manager. Also joining them is James St. Aubin, Chief Investment Officer for Sierra Mutual Funds and Ocean Park Asset Management. Kenneth oversees all aspects of the organization's activities, including asset management, research, and client relationships. Before...

Throughout history, there have been different schools of thought regarding investing. Some investors believe in taking on more risk to achieve higher returns, while others prefer preserving capital and generating stability. In this current economic climate, however, many investors are worried about the stock and bond markets and how they will affect their investments.  In this episode, Rusty and R...

The last few years have been a rollercoaster for investors. The market has been volatile, asset values have declined, and there is general uncertainty about the future. In times like these, it's important to have a diversified portfolio that can weather the storm. Hedge funds offer a unique opportunity for investors to hedge against risk and protect their portfolios. In this episode, Rusty and Rob...

There is nothing more frustrating for an advisor than losing a client. It's even more difficult when high-net-worth clients leave. High-net-worth clients are an important segment for any financial advisor. Not only do they bring in more revenue, but they also refer other high-net-worth individuals to the firm. What can advisors do to ensure they don't lose their best clients? In this episode, Rust...

Recent months have been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for the markets. We have seen a lot of ups and downs, and it doesn't seem like the volatility will subside anytime soon. As an advisor, it's important to have a game plan for when the market is going through a rough patch.  In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Glenn Dorsey, Senior Vice President and Head of Client Portfolio Manage...

Tuition inflation is not a new issue for college. Tuition fees and other related expenses tend to increase every year. As a result, many parents are looking for ways to start saving for their children's education early on. There are several alternatives for saving and paying for education. In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Paul Curley, Director of Savings Research at ISS Market Intelligen...

Income generation is one of the primary concerns of investors today. This is especially true in light of recent market volatility. With investors always looking for new opportunities, how can dividend-focused portfolios and high-quality securities be among the best investing options, especially in today's low-yield environment? In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with John H. Crawford, Managing...

In recent years, new technologies, economic changes, and shifting consumer behavior have fundamentally changed how financial services are delivered. That has led to financial services firms rethinking their business models and strategies.  In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with Billy Oliverio, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at United Planners Financial Services. Having be...

In recent years, the wealth management industry has undergone many changes. The industry is ripe for disruption, and many companies are already beginning to offer new and innovative solutions.  In this episode, Rusty and Robyn talk with the “swiss army knife” of financial services leadership, Lori Hardwick. Lori is the CEO of Wealth Tech at Red Rock Strategic Partners. She brings over 25 years of...

Diversification is vital to any investment portfolio. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have become one of the most popular vehicles for implementing a multi-asset strategy, as they offer broad diversification, low costs, and flexibility. As the industry trends continue to evolve, how can investors position themselves to capture potential upside in different market environments? In this episode, Rusty...

The stock market is often seen as a place for high-risk, high-reward investments. But for those willing to do their research and take a more patient approach, there can be great rewards in investing in small-cap value stocks. Small-cap investing focuses on companies that have smaller market caps than most stocks. They tend to be more volatile but offer greater potential rewards. In this episode, R...