Copia News

In the previous blogs, we looked at how managed portfolio services (MPS) have proliferated as advice firms seek to improve efficiency and mitigate the compliance burden while maximising value for clients. Yet standard models are becoming increasingly commoditised, leaving some firms feeling they are surrendering control to an off-the-shelf solution that looks broadly the same as everyone else’s.

How can firms combine adviser insight and value with DFM expertise, scale and governance?

While the concept of custom MPS is gaining traction, many advisers worry about what this means on a practical basis. Are you just adding risk without control? Where do responsibilities start and finish? Tony Hicks demystifies the process in part two of his series on custom portfolios.

Recently there’s been a lot of commentary on a potential bubble in AI. Some suggest challenges lie ahead for those exposed to US equity, where elevated valuations are concentrated in AI-related stocks. Others say that investing is worthwhile to fuel innovation in a revolutionary technology. While discussions around a bubble are important, one thing that’s missing is a reminder about investing basics when it comes to assessing US exposure. Several factors suggest being underweight in the US is sensible: the nature of current valuations, underlying economic conditions and other metrics that indicate the AI narrative is largely driven by speculation…

The advice profession is evolving rapidly. One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is how firms approach investment management. For years, most advisers managed client portfolios in-house through a centralised investment proposition (CIP). But with increasing regulation and complexity of client needs, the administration and risk associated with designing portfolios and rebalancing are becoming harder to manage.

It’s not surprising, then, that many firms are outsourcing portfolio management to discretionary fund managers (DFMs)…

Earlier this year, the FCA announced its intention to undertake a multi-firm review of MPS . While waiting for the regulator to reveal their findings may not be keeping you awake at night, it will be an important test of how firms have adapted their services to deliver good client outcomes post-Consumer Duty…

It is fair to say, over the last few years, the UK stock market has not been seen as that attractive or compelling for numerous reasons. But recently, we have seen a very definite uptick in interest in UK property assets…