As Ukraine heats up, Obama “tees up” more sanctions, and the market turns a blind eye

<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> Obama tees up more sanctions. Plus: Financial pros warn against ignoring Ukraine's significance, the housing market is being hurt by basement dwellers, epic Medicare fraud, safe investment bets surprise in 2014, and $1 million saved for retirement is now considered a good start.
MAY 02, 2014
  • Things are heating up in Ukraine as the locals have started pushing back on Russian forces, reportedly killing a handful of pro-Russian gunmen overnight. For his part, President Obama took a break from his Asian tour to warn Russia that more sanctions are “teed up,” even as he acknowledged his limited influence. Obama's frank pessimism
  • Meanwhile, financial pros train a cautious eye on how the turmoil in Ukraine will likely impact the financial markets. The markets are missing the seriousness of what's happening
  • The U.S. housing market is being held down by the stagnant pace of new housing formation. In other words, if you want to help the economy, move out of your parents' basement and get married. Brace yourself for some sticker shock if you haven't bought a house lately
  • Medicare fraud runs up a $5 billion tab, exposing a system that is badly broken. Or, depending on your perspective, an extremely expensive taxi service for lazy people. Envelopes full of cash
  • Contrary to what the prognosticators were expecting for 2014, safe bets are shining so far this year. Utilities, gold and government bonds were all supposed to flop, but instead they are outpacing riskier investments. Power company stocks lead the S&P 500
  • If you managed to save $1 million for retirement, congrats. You are part of an elite group, which includes only about 10% of all retirement savers. But don't get too excited, because it still might not be enough. Health care costs and inflation means $1M isn't as cool as it once was

Latest News

Private credit becoming 'big piece' of annuities, T. Rowe exec says
Private credit becoming 'big piece' of annuities, T. Rowe exec says

Goldman Sachs retirement survey finds 83% want guaranteed income, while the annuities providing that income increasingly hold private credit.

Zocks debuts Claude plugin with seven skills for financial advisors
Zocks debuts Claude plugin with seven skills for financial advisors

The AI meeting assistant's Advisor Intelligence plugin turns client conversation data into annual reviews, tax scans and attrition alerts.

Stifel settles massive $30 million complaint involving star broker’s sale of structured products
Stifel settles massive $30 million complaint involving star broker’s sale of structured products

Chuck Roberts and Stifel have been facing scrutiny due to sales of structured products and structured notes.

SEC floats CFP route to accredited investor status, fund rules refresh amid private market push
SEC floats CFP route to accredited investor status, fund rules refresh amid private market push

Among other updates, the proposals would let advisors to regulated funds earn performance fees and allow interval funds to offer monthly repurchases.

The Year Is 2046 and I’m a Financial Advisor 
The Year Is 2046 and I’m a Financial Advisor 

What will financial advice look like 20 years from now? Evan Vladem explores how AI may transform wealth management while reinforcing the enduring value of human guidance, trust, and empathy. 

SPONSORED In the Age of AI, Trust Becomes the Advisor's Greatest Asset

As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains