Mike Carlone, Blueprint Investment Partners National Sales Director
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Predictions: The Ugly Sweater Of Financial Markets

January 8, 2025

Predictions: The Ugly Sweater Of Financial Markets

The months of November, December, and January are chock full of traditions. Family dinners, presents, tree-cutting journeys, ugly sweater parties, and matching pajamas (don’t ask) are all emblematic of this time of year.

In the financial markets, the equivalent to the ugly sweater party is the making of market predictions for the year ahead. Sure, it’s fun, they’re cute, and they grab attention. But ultimately, they are useless and thus a waste of time. (Yes, I’m aware I sound like Scrooge right now.)

One need look no further than 2024 to be reminded (once again) of the futility of market predictions. By some accounts, the average of 2024 forecasts had the S&P 500 Index closing at 4,861, yet in reality the year closed with the benchmark index closing higher than 5,880 – that’s an error of about 21%…on average. Yikes.

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Predictions: The Ugly Sweater Of Financial Markets

Category: Advisor Practice Management
Hand holding a holiday sweater ornament

Predictions: The Ugly Sweater Of Financial Markets

Mallet hitting egg

Managing the Self-Destructive Behavior Of Clients

November 13, 2024
Financial advisors must manage client assets and client expectations. The latter can be the most difficult, but trend following can help.
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Advisor Practice Management
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How to Improve the Odds You Are Hired by New Clients

January 24, 2024
A study released last year by Morningstar Behavioral Research sheds light on the role behavioral finance plays when investors select a financial advisor.
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Advisor Practice Management
The Bobs from The Office Space movie

What Would You Say…You Do Here?

June 21, 2023
Financial advisors can discover a WHAT and a HOW for seeking greater focus in their life by reading a book by Cal Newport called “Deep Work.”
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Advisor Practice Management

Archive Blogs by Mike Carlone

Death of a Wholesaler: The Future of Asset Management Marketing

July 2, 2020
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