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Morningstar published its 2025 investment outlook for financial advisors. Morgan Stanley has looked to add employees of startup companies as wealth management clients in anticipation of future IPOs, reports Inc. These are among the investment must reads we found this week for wealth advisors.

In the weeks leading up to November’s election, financial advisors were largely positive on the state of the economy and the stock market, according to the monthly Advisor Sentiment Index.

The Virginia-based startup plans to use the new capital to pursue expansion plans, including platform development and adding engineers.

The regulator said the ruling in the case concerning Utah-based brokerage Alpine Securities won’t affect day-to-day operations. However, those closely watching the case believe it could challenge FINRA’s legal foundation.

Open, honest and candid discussion about DOL guidance on AI, the agency’s practice of sharing information with plaintiff’s attorneys, record keeper consolidation helping RPAs grow and more.

Louis Diamond offers UBS advisors a perspective on the firm’s compensation plan changes, which were announced on Nov. 21.

Steps to take before the Jan. 1, 2025 filing deadline.

With Bitcoin approaching $100,000 as we go to press, many of your clients may ask if they should add cryptocurrency to their portfolios. Some may be irked that they’ve been sitting on the sidelines for so long while cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have gained over 100% this year (over 30% since the presidential election) and about 1,100% over the past five years. Some may be curious about these digital tokens and where they fit into their overall financial plan (if at all).

Even with the 2024 election behind us, estate planners will continue to have clients who wish to promote partisan interests by financing political causes in their estate plans. Unlike charitable gifts made to favored social causes, lifetime and legacy political giving are subject to restrictions, prohibitions and reporting requirements, and sometimes, a fiduciary is required to balance competing considerations in administering the gift.

While the new technology will not be an advisor's clone, it could be thought of as a co-worker.