Economy growth revised higher

The U.S. gross domestic product estimate for the first quarter was revised up to 0.9%, from a predicted 0.6%.
MAY 29, 2008
The U.S. gross domestic product estimate for the first quarter was revised up to 0.9%, from a predicted 0.6%, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis reported this morning. The GDP estimate doesn’t meet the technical criteria for a recession, which is defined as two consecutive quarters of declining GDP growth. “The revision to the first-quarter growth rate reflected lower imports that were mostly offset by lower inventory investment,” according to a BEA press release. Quarterly GDP is computed by the bureau at a seasonally adjusted annual rate. The BEA also released a somber estimate of corporate profits of just 1.7% for the first quarter — a decrease from the fourth-quarter 2007 estimate of 2.5%. The BEA attributed this slowdown to “an increase in profits from foreign affiliates of U.S. companies. In contrast, profits of domestic corporations declined.”

Latest News

Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida
Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida

Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.

SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme
SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme

It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.

MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products
MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products

Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.

Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations
Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations

Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.

Trump Account contributions to get boost from new employer rules
Trump Account contributions to get boost from new employer rules

New Treasury and IRS proposals would let employers add tax-free payroll contributions to the retirement accounts as advisors weigh the fit for client families.

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

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income