Power Your Advice

Mario Valente, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Stansberry Asset Management, describes how a boutique, actively managed firm earns the trust of formerly self-directed investors by focusing on low-correlated, idiosyncratic returns. By emphasizing investments that behave independently of broader markets and making tactical shifts across asset classes, the firm has been able to limit drawdowns and maintain stability during periods of volatility. Valente points to a repeatable process and an experienced team as the foundation for consistent results. Strategies like Tactical Select combine fundamental research with disciplined risk controls to pursue excess returns with lower volatility. In today’s uncertain environment, the focus remains on active due diligence, selective positioning, and the flexibility to raise cash when needed—reinforcing that resilient portfolios require both adaptability and strong risk management. Resources: Stansberry Asset Management Source

Josh Rogers, Senior Client Portfolio Manager at Invesco, explains how separately managed accounts (SMAs) have evolved from clunky stock lists into technology-driven portfolio solutions that allow advisors to scale while still delivering meaningful customization. By combining manager-traded portfolios, integrated data systems, and advanced tax management tools, modern SMAs help advisors offer personalized portfolios without adding operational complexity. Rogers highlights how innovations like direct indexing and tax-optimized long/short SMAs give advisors new ways to manage concentrated positions, harvest tax losses, and improve after-tax outcomes for clients. As technology continues to expand customization and automation, SMAs are becoming not just an investment vehicle—but a strategic platform for advisors looking to grow their practices while maintaining a highly tailored client experience. Resources: Invesco Source

Fred Kaynor, Managing Director at DAFgiving360, outlines how donor-advised funds continue to play a central role in charitable planning as new tax rules take effect in 2026. He explains how DAFs allow donors to contribute cash or appreciated assets, receive an immediate deduction, and invest funds for potential tax-free growth before granting over time. Strategies like bunching and donating non-cash assets remain key tools for maximizing impact while managing tax exposure. He also breaks down major provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including the new 0.5% AGI floor for itemizers, limits on deduction value for top-bracket taxpayers, a universal deduction for non-itemizers that excludes DAF contributions, and the now-permanent 60% AGI limit for cash gifts to public charities. After a record year in 2025 with nearly $10 billion in grants, Kaynor shares why advisors remain critical in helping clients navigate these changes and give more strategically. If you’d like to learn more about working with DAFgiving360 and the benefits to both you and your clients, review their online resources or request more information. DAFgiving360 is the name used for the combined programs and services of Donor Advised Charitable Giving, Inc., an independent nonprofit organization which has entered into service agreements with certain subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. DAFgiving360 is a tax-exempt public charity as described in Sections 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1), and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions made to DAFgiving360 are considered an irrevocable gift and are not refundable. Once contributed, DAFgiving360 has exclusive legal control over the contributed assets. A donor’s ability to claim itemized deductions is subject to a variety of limitations depending on the donor’s specific tax situation. Contributions of certain real estate, private equity, or other illiquid assets may be accepted via a charitable intermediary, with proceeds transferred to a donor-advised fund (DAF) account upon liquidation. Call DAFgiving360 for more information at 800-746-6216. Market fluctuations may cause the value of investment fund shares held in a donor-advised fund (DAF) account to be worth more or less than the value of the original contribution to the funds. DAFgiving360 does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult a qualified legal or tax advisor where such advice is necessary or appropriate. (0226-2YLK) Source

John Connell, Co-Founder and CEO of Focal, outlines how AI can do more than capture notes—it can raise advisor performance. By pairing meeting intelligence with behavioral finance and science-backed coaching, Focal turns compliant client conversations into sharper questions, higher conversion rates, and measurable growth. With more than 130 integrations, the goal isn’t just efficiency—it’s real revenue impact. Connell also makes clear that in a regulated industry, AI has to be secure and purpose-built. The firms that win won’t just save 10 to 15 hours per week—they’ll see tighter team consistency, stronger AUM growth, and better outcomes across the board. In this model, AI doesn’t replace the advisor. It clears the clutter so advisors can show up more prepared, more focused, and more effective in every client conversation. Resources: Focal Power Your Advice podcasts are produced with support from Fidelity Investments. If you would like to learn more about Fidelity’s top performing mutual funds and ETFs for financial advisors visit i.fidelity.com/topfunds. The information and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the speakers and do not reflect or represent Fidelity’s views, perspectives, or intellectual property. Source

Liam Hanlon, Head of Insights at Jump, shares findings from Jump’s first-ever Financial Advisor Insights Report—an analysis of more than 12,000 real advisor-client meetings. Drawing on what Hanlon calls “ground truth data,” the study challenges long-held industry assumptions shaped by traditional surveys, revealing what actually happens inside client conversations. From how much advisors really talk to which topics drive the most engagement, the data offers a clearer view into how advice is delivered—and where perception often diverges from reality. Hanlon also explains how Jump’s AI-powered platform helps advisors act on those insights by reducing meeting prep, documentation, and follow-up work while surfacing meaningful conversational intelligence. By tracking client sentiment, identifying effective communication patterns, and translating data into actionable guidance, Jump enables advisors to structure better meetings, focus on goals and planning, and improve client follow-through—turning better conversations into stronger outcomes and sustainable growth. Resources: Jump Power Your Advice podcasts are produced with support from Fidelity Investments. If you would like to learn more about Fidelity’s top performing mutual funds and ETFs for financial advisors visit i.fidelity.com/topfunds. The information and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the speakers and do not reflect or represent Fidelity’s views, perspectives, or intellectual property. Source

Hans Williams, Head of ETF Strategy at Calamos Investments, joins us to explore how advisors are approaching Bitcoin exposure in a market where volatility remains a central concern. With drawdowns of 30% or more still defining the asset’s price behavior, Williams explains why the conversation has shifted toward managing downside risk even as interest in digital assets grows. For advisors, this means balancing client curiosity with disciplined portfolio construction rather than simply reacting to headline price moves or sidelining Bitcoin altogether. Williams highlights how Calamos’ suite of protected Bitcoin ETFs aim to offer defined buffers and known outcome periods that align exposure to client risk tolerance. He discusses how these outcome-oriented structures, along with laddered versions that smooth timing risk, can help advisors thoughtfully integrate Bitcoin into portfolios with clearer expectations around upside caps and downside limits. As advisor sophistication around digital assets deepens, Williams sees these products as tools to help advisors participate in Bitcoin’s potential while maintaining consistency with clients’ long-term plans. Click here for more information about Calamos Protected Bitcoin ETFs Source

Bryan Sajjadi, a Capital Market Strategist at Fidelity Investments, shares how Fidelity’s privately owned structure and long-term orientation influence the way investment decisions are made. He outlines how the firm’s global research platform—spanning equities, fixed income, sectors, and quantitative analysis—is designed to challenge assumptions, share perspectives, and provide a fuller picture of risk and opportunity across market cycles. Rather than relying on a single style or viewpoint, Sajjadi emphasizes the value of combining multiple disciplines to navigate changing market environments. Sajjadi also discusses how Fidelity blends fundamental research with quantitative tools and emerging technologies to support portfolio decisions and risk awareness. He points to collaboration across asset classes, access to private markets, and long-standing company relationships as inputs that inform—not dictate—investment outcomes. Looking ahead, he frames the market outlook in practical terms, highlighting the need for selectivity, diversification, and flexibility as economic conditions evolve and dispersion across assets increases. Resources: Portfolio Construction | Fidelity Institutional Disclosures: Not FDIC Insured. May Lose Value. No Bank Guarantee. Not NCUA or NCUSIF insured. May lose value. No credit union guarantee. Unless otherwise expressly disclosed to you in writing, the information provided in this material is for educational purposes only. Any viewpoints expressed by Fidelity are not intended to be used as a primary basis for your investment decisions and are based on facts and circumstances at the point in time they are made and are not particular to you. Accordingly, nothing in this material constitutes impartial investment advice or advice in a fiduciary capacity, as defined or under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, both as amended. 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