The tipping-point of “innovation”? 5/19/25

With markets seeing unusually high levels of volatility across the board this summer, the “active management” corner of the ETF industry has had to continuously increase specialization. But does that focus carry a risk of becoming too narrow too soon?         

Is the concept of the “stock pickers” market being replace by a “theme-pickers” market? Plus, a crypto conundrum and some international ETF intrigue.      

Continuing developments in the Middle East adding to investor uncertainty. Should ETF holders modify their portfolios now… or stay the course through the second half of the year?      

The AI trade is getting increasingly crowded and it’s getting harder to sift out the next big winners. Well-known tech analyst Dan Ives, who just recently launched an ETF with his own name on the line, tells us how he’s approaching it. Plus, Todd Rosenbluth, Head of Research at Vettafi, discusses how the rest of the ETF industry is slicing AI.    

It’s not just a yellow-brick road investors have been running down… with global uncertainty still high money has been piling into non-traditional and traditional alternative assets alike. But which are best for your portfolio? We’ll help you decide.  

As we kick off another month of trading, we look at three of the biggest ETF themes and whether they can continue amid general market uncertainty and summer doldrums. 

Bonds are generally known for their stability. But, like the equity markets, bonds are experiencing outsized volatility of late. However, new tools allow investors to engage bond opportunities like never before. Our experts help you rethink your allocations.

On one hand: continue market uncertainty. On the other hand: heightened individual engagement and optimism. Put them together and you have a hungry audience the ETF industry is all-too-happy to cater too. But now, more than ever, the individual really needs to know what they are ordering… and what’s in the dish.    

The 90-day tariff pause between the U.S. & China has thrown a wrench into two big ETF themes of this year: international investing and gold/bitcoin hedging. What should investors do now? We look at the near and long-term scenarios.   

Ric Edelman, founder of the Digital Asset Council of Financial Professionals and former head of Edelman Financial Engines weighs in on how to responsibly incorporate crypto investing into any diversified portfolio, explains why 60/40 is dead… because you’re not going to be… and discusses the importance of instilling financial education in the next generation.