Epic Financial Group, London (2026)

15/10/2021

What Does a Financial Advisor Do?
“The term ‘financial advisor’ can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people,” says Geoffrey Vanderpal, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, securities arbitrator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and professor of finance at Purdue University Global. “Generally, a financial advisor advises people on their finances.”

At their most basic, financial advisors use their expertise to create personalized financial plans that aim to achieve the financial goals of clients. Of course, that’s pretty broad. Just like a doctor can specialize in any number of areas, so can a financial advisor.

“Some financial advisors focus on insurance and risk management. There are financial advisors who sell stocks, or you can be a financial advisor and work for a large commercial or investment bank.

“Financial advisors can work in retirement planning, estate planning, taxation, insurance, investments, and in general personal financial planning. It covers the whole spectrum.”

Is There Opportunity in the Financial Advising Field?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects, employment of personal financial advisors will grow between 2019 and 2029.*

There are several reasons for the growth of opportunities in the financial advising field.

“There are just not enough new people coming into the industry to replace the baby boomer financial advisors who are retiring,” Vanderpal says. “There’s a shortage. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to get in the door, especially women and minorities. The industry needs a more diversified employee base, so we more accurately reflect the needs and diversity of our population.”

According to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc., as of 2019, only 23% of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals are women. There is no data on minority groups.

Baby boomers are not only leaving room in the job market for financial advisors, but they’re also driving demand. As more of the baby boomer generation retires, the more that generation will need financial advice.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 20% of the total U.S. population will be 65 or older by 2029. This is a prime time for new financial advisors to enter the market. To navigate the transition from high-earning years to retirement, baby boomers will need financial advice.

Millennials are another group that need financial advice. Although they may have a reputation as not being financially responsible, a Bank of America survey reports that 16% of millennials have saved $100,000 or more.

If you are properly trained and motivated, there is a great opportunity to serve these individuals.

What Is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™?
The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation is granted by the CFP Board, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering professional standards in personal financial planning.†

“It gives you training and exposure to material that informs proper and ethical financial planning,” Vanderpal explains. “Having this credential means you meet the board’s standards of excellence.

“CFP® certificants tend to be more professional and knowledgeable in financial planning and have a lower client complaint-in-arbitration rate, which is good for the industry, customers, and clients.”

Who Is a Good Fit for a Financial Advisor Career?
You might be a good fit for a career as a financial advisor if you:

Are good at saving, budgeting, and investing money
Like working with people
Are consultative in nature
Possess strong communication, networking, and planning skills
Are adept at promoting yourself and your offerings
Enjoy learning about other peoples’ dreams, goals, and risk and return preferences
Are capable of developing a network of qualified attorneys, accountants, and insurance professionals

15/10/2021

10 reasons to use a Financial Adviser
Financial advice is not only required by the very rich, everyone can benefit from it. It can help you protect and build your assets and assist you in making the most of your investments and securing the long-term future of you and your family.

1. To protect your family
There are a myriad of life insurance products on the market; an adviser can tell you which ones are actually worth buying. They will assess your position and guide you through the best options to protect yourself and your family - whether you are single or married, have a young family, or are approaching retirement.

2. To help plan your spending and saving
To secure your long term future, you need to build some assets - initially to get you through the rainy days and then to pay for holidays and luxuries. Step one is to plan your spending so that you begin to save, and step two is to plan that saving so that you can build your wealth as efficiently as possible. Irrespective of amount, a financial adviser can look at your situation and find the best starting point for you.

3. To help you plan for retirement
Once your short term saving needs are covered, you can start thinking about the long term. Most people these days realise that they cannot rely on the state for more than the absolute basics. Planning for retirement is a complex business, and there are many different options available. A financial adviser will not only help sift through the many rules and product options and help construct a portfolio to maximise your long term prospects.

4. To secure your house
The mortgage market has always been complicated, even more so in the aftermath of the credit crunch, with mortgages now even more complex and lenders’ requirements more stringent. Buying a house is one of the most expensive decisions we make and the vast majority of us need a mortgage. A financial adviser could save you thousands, particularly at times like this. Not only can they seek out the best rates, they can help you assess sensible levels of borrowing, make the most of your deposit, and might also find lenders who would otherwise not be available to you.

5. To help you meet your investment goals
As you progress through life and your assets and income begin to increase, you can start considering how to enhance your position rather than simply consolidate it. This could mean anything from looking to retire early to paying private school fees. Whatever your goal, a financial adviser can help assess what is realistically possible and plan with you to help you achieve it.

6. To find the right combination of assets
Investment is as much about protecting against potential downsides as it is about targeting maximum growth. High returns are often associated with high risk and not everyone likes the idea that their investment might fall by a third or more overnight! A financial adviser will make a detailed assessment of your attitude to risk before making recommendations. They will also ensure you don’t put all your eggs in one basket by helping you diversify not only across asset classes but also across accounts, individual funds and product providers.

7. To obtain an objective assessment
Every new investment opportunity or product is likely to be accompanied by a certain amount of hype but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is right for you. Investors will continue to be caught out by market ‘bubbles’ or high charges because they rush headlong in. A financial adviser knows how products work in different markets and will identify possible downsides for you as well as the potential benefits, so that you can then make an informed decision about where to invest.

8. To save money
Once your risk and investment assessments are complete, the next step is to look at tax; even the most basic overview of your position could help. It may simply mean using Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) or a pension plan to benefit from government incentives or choosing growth focussed assets over income to maximise capital gains allowances versus paying income tax. For more complicated arrangements, it could mean moving assets to your spouse or children to maximise their personal allowances instead. A financial adviser will always have your tax position in mind when making recommendations and point you in the right direction even in complicated situations.

9. To keep you on track
Even when your investments have been put in place and are running to plan, they should be monitored in case market developments or abnormal events push them off course. You can ask a financial adviser to keep a watchful eye on your investments. They can assess their performance against their peers, ensure that your asset allocation does not become distorted as markets fluctuate and help you consolidate gains as the deadlines for your ultimate goals move closer.

10. For peace of mind
Money is a complicated subject and there is lots to consider to protect it and make the most of it. Markets are volatile and the media are prone to exaggerate the risks and rewards. Employing a good financial adviser can cut through the hype to steer you in the right direction. Whether you need general, practical advice or a specialist with dedicated expertise, you could find that in the long term the money you invest in expert advice will be paid back many times over.

We hope you found this article useful. If any of the points are of interest or you would like to discuss your own situation in more detail, please do get in touch with our team below.

If you would like to request a free copy of our Financial Planning Process please contact Cara Bartlett below.

15/10/2021

By Laura Sanicola

(Reuters) -Oil prices settled at a three-year high above $85 a barrel on Friday, boosted by forecasts of a supply deficit in the next few months as the easing of coronavirus-related travel restrictions spurs demand.

Brent crude futures settled up 86 cents, or 1%, at $84.86 a barrel. Front-month prices, which touched their highest level since October 2018 at $85.10, hit a weekly rise of 3%, its sixth straight weekly gain.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 97 cents, or 1.2%, to $82.28 a barrel. The was up 3.5% on the week in an eighth consecutive weekly rise.

Demand has picked up with the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a further boost from power generators who have been turning away from expensive gas and coal to fuel oil and diesel.

The White House said it will lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for fully vaccinated foreign nationals effective Nov. 8, which should boost jet fuel demand.

Meanwhile, a sharp drop in oil stockpiles in the United States and the member countries of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development is expected to keep global supply tight.

"It will take a trifecta of events to derail this oil price rally: OPEC+ unexpectedly boosts output, warm weather hits the Northern Hemisphere, and if the Biden administration taps the strategic petroleum reserves," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA.

U.S. energy firms this week added oil and natural gas rigs for a sixth week in a row as soaring crude oil prices prompted drillers to return to the wellpad.

The U.S. oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose 10 to 543 in the week to Oct. 15, its highest since April 2020, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday.

The International Energy Agency on Thursday said the energy crunch is expected to boost oil demand by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd).

That would result in a supply gap of around 700,000 bpd through the end of this year, until the Organization of the Petroleum Countries and allies, together called OPEC+, add more supply, as planned in January.

15/10/2021

By Barani Krishnan
The gold bull seems doomed with any early celebration these days.

After brief euphoria at having reclaimed its $1,800 perch, those long the yellow metal were hurtled back into the mid-$1,700 territory on Friday as strong U.S. retail sales for September led to a renewed spike in bond yields on speculation that the Federal Reserve might be forced to raise rates faster than it intends.

U.S. gold futures’ most active contract, December, settled at $1,768.30 per ounce on New York’s Comex, down $29.60, or 1.7%. The session low itself was $1,765.10. The only consolation was the weekly gain of 0.6%.

On Thursday, gold reached almost $1,802, crossing $1,800 the first time since Sept. 15, as it appeared to finally live up to its label as an “inflation hedge” and “safe-haven” days after oil prices hit seven-year highs above $80 per barrel.

But any illusion that the yellow metal would extend its two-day run-up to reach north of $1,900 and — eventually — the $2,000-plus record highs of August 2020 seemed put paid for now.

“Gold was unable to hold onto the $1800 level after a better-than-expected retail sales report and strong round of earnings sent U.S. Treasury yields higher, denting appeal to non-interest-bearing assets,” said Ed Moy, analyst at online trading platform OANDA.

While gold was ripe for profit-taking after its surge to $1,800 levels, “the downward move could extend if Wall Street continues to pump up equities”, Moya noted.

U.S. retail sales numbers for September released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed a growth of nearly 14% on the year and a steady monthly expansion of 0.7% since August.

Economists tracked by Investing.com had expected a monthly decline of 0.2% for September retail sales due to challenges from the pandemic, especially inflation from surging commodity prices led by oil. But almost every key sector of the economy saw positive sales instead, showing promise ahead of the holiday shopping season between October and December when festivities from Halloween to Thanksgiving and Christmas run.

The higher retail sales extended gains on the S&P 500, which already had its best day in seven months in the previous session.

“Gold bulls still need to be patient,” added Moya. “Gold appears poised to consolidate here, but the start of a new bullish trend is around the corner once the global economic recovery gets on track and the dollar loses its dominance.”

Gold Back in Mid-$1,700 Trenches, Albeit With Weekly Gain
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15/10/2021

By Caroline Valetkevitch

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended higher on Friday after Goldman Sachs became the latest big bank to report strong quarterly earnings, and Wall Street's three major indexes posted gains for the week.

Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS) shares jumped, giving the Dow its biggest boost, as a record wave of dealmaking activity drove a surge in the bank's quarterly profit.

Other big lenders also rose and were among the biggest positive for the S&P 500. The index's bank index ended sharply higher.

Results from the big financial institutions this week have provided a strong start to third-quarter U.S. earnings, though investors will still watch in coming weeks for signs of impacts from supply chain disruptions and higher costs, especially for energy.

Forecasts now call for S&P 500 earnings to show a 32% rise in the third quarter from a year ago. The latest forecast, based on results from 41 of the S&P 500 companies and estimates for the rest, is up from 29.4% at the start of October, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

"We're starting to get into an earnings-driven rally here that I hope lasts. We'll really see the results in the next couple of weeks as a great bulk of companies in all sectors report," said Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) Corp shares surged after the aluminum producer reported stronger-than-expected results, announced a $500 million buyback program and initiated a quarterly cash dividend.

According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 gained 33.35 points, or 0.75%, to end at 4,471.61 points, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 73.55 points, or 0.50%, to 14,896.98. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 384.83 points, or 1.10%, to 35,297.39.

The U.S. Commerce Department reported a surprise rise in retail sales in September, although investors still worried that supply constraints could disrupt the holiday shopping season. A preliminary reading for consumer sentiment in October came in slightly below expectations.

Some airline and other travel-related company shares edged higher, with the White House announcing it will lift travel restrictions for fully-vaccinated foreign nationals effective Nov. 8.

Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) Inc shares were lower. A Wall Street Journal report, citing people familiar with the matter, said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is delaying its decision on authorizing Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents to check if the shot could increase the risk of heart inflammation.

On Thursday, an FDA panel voted to recommend booster shots of its COVID-19 vaccine for Americans aged 65 and older and high-risk people.

Shares of cryptocurrency and blockchain-related firms including Riot Blockchain (NASDAQ:RIOT) gained as bitcoin hit $60,000 for the first time since April.

15/10/2021

By Barani Krishnan

Oil bulls scored an eight winning week as Brent hit $85 per barrel, nearing Wall Street’s $90 call, as strong U.S. retail sales and a rebounding stock market fed risk appetite despite exploding inflation.

News of China having cut crude oil import quotas for independent refiners and U.S. inventory data from Thursday pointing to a third straight weekly build in crude stockpiles were put on the backburner.

In focus was a White House announcement on Friday that it will lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for fully vaccinated foreign nationals effective Nov. 8, a development that should boost jet fuel demand.

Also ringing in oil bulls’ ears were the International Energy Agency’s estimate on Thursday that the energy crunch would leave the global market short of 500,000 barrels per day — estimated by some to be as high as 700,000 bpd.

“It will take a trifecta of events to derail this oil price rally: OPEC+ unexpectedly boosts output, warm weather hits the northern hemisphere, and if the Biden administration taps the strategic petroleum reserves,” said Ed Moya, analyst at online trading platform OANDA.

U.S. crude’s West Texas Intermediate benchmark settled up 97 cents, or 1.2%, at $82.28 per barrel. Earlier in the session, it peaked at $82.48, its highest since 2014. For the week itself, WTI rose 3.7% for an eight-straight weekly gain that gave the U.S. crude benchmark a cumulative gain of 32%. For the year, WTI was up almost 70%.

London-traded Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, settled up 68 cents, or 1%, at $84.86 after a three-year high at $85.09. Both Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have called for $90 Brent before the end of the year.

Brent rose 3% on the week, for a sixth straight weekly gain that resulted in an accumulated gain of almost 17%. For the year, Brent was up 64%.

Oil’s latest run-up came after US retail sales numbers for September released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed a growth of nearly 14% on the year and a steady monthly expansion of 0.7% since August.

Economists tracked by Investing.com had expected a monthly decline of 0.2% for September retail sales due to challenges from the pandemic, especially inflation from surging commodity prices led by oil.

But almost every key sector of the economy saw positive sales last month, showing promise ahead of the holiday shopping season between October and December as festivities from Halloween to Thanksgiving and Christmas take place.

The higher retail sales extended gains on the S&P 500, which already had its best day in seven months in the previous session. The key U.S. stock index had resisted rallying for almost two weeks prior to Thursday, on worries that the rally in oil and other commodities was feeding runaway inflation.

Meanwhile, China was reported to have cut crude oil import quotas for independent refiners in a move to curb their growing oil market clout.

According to Reuters, Beijing's latest crude import quotas for independents is 14.89 million tons. This brings the total for the year to 177.14 million tons, which compares with 184.55 million tons for 2020. That would normally be bearish news for oil. But as OilPrice’s Irina Slav noted; “there is so much going on for the bulls it's likely that the effect of what amounts to a future decline in Chinese oil imports will be temporary”.

Also on Wednesday, the Energy Information Administration reported that U.S. crude stockpiles rose by 6.09 million barrels in the week to Oct. 8, following through with the 2.35-million and 4.58-million builds in the previous two weeks.

The build came as weekly U.S. refiner activity remained stubbornly below the typical 90% of capacity for this time of year, ostensibly due to WTI pricing — which even some refineries feel had gone up too much, too fast

15/10/2021

By Yasin Ebrahim
The S&P 500 jumped Friday, underpinned by data pointing to unexpected strength in the consumer, and another wave of better-than-expected quarterly earnings.

The S&P 500 rose 0.8%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.1%, or 386 points, the Nasdaq climbed 0.5%.

The Commerce Department said Friday that retail sales rose 0.7% last month. That confounded economists’ forecast for a 0.2% decline. The retail sales control group – which has a larger impact on U.S. GDP – gained 0.8%, above expectations for a 0.4% rise.

The gain in retail sales suggests that the impact of the delta variant of the coronavirus on consumer spending, which makes up about 66% of economic growth, is starting to wane.

“Consumer spending has remained resilient and reflects strong buying power and favorable credit conditions. The increase in food services throughout the Delta wave suggests households are better equipped to manage around Covid flare-ups,” Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) said in a note.

The backdrop of optimism on the economic recovery pushed Treasury yields higher, underpinning bank stocks, which have been bolstered by upbeat quarterly results from major Wall Street banks.

Goldman Sachs NYSE:GS) was the latest major bank this week to report blowout results. The bank reported earnings of $14.93 per share, well above expectations for $10.18 per share, sending its share price up more than 3%.

PNC Financial Services(NYSE:PNC) also delivered quarterly results that beat on both the top and bottom lines, but its shares slipped 1%.

Financials are expected to continue to ride Treasury yields higher as investors bet that rates still have room to advance.

A break above key resistance on 10-year Treasury yield of 1.75% would “complete the bearish thesis on bonds and confirm a move on the 10-year Treasury yield to 2%, or a little above there,” David Keller, Chief Market Strategist at StockCharts, told Investing.com in an interview on Friday.. “I think we'll most likely get there, which is why I think financials probably present one of the better opportunities."

JB Hunt Transport Services (NASDAQ:JBHT), meanwhile, was up more than 9% after the shipping company reported better-than-expected earnings of $1.88 per share on $3.14 billion in revenue

Energy was up about 1% as oil prices continued to rack-up gains on bets of possible supply shortages on higher demand as power plants are expected to switch to oil amid soaring natural gas, and coal prices.

The odds of a supply shortage were exacerbated by expectations for higher jet fuel demand as travel activity is set to gather pace in the months ahead after the U.S. said it would begin accepting vaccinated visitors from abroad from Nov. 8.

In other news, Virgin Galactic (NYSE:SPCE) slumped 17% after delaying its spaceflight tests to Q4 2022. The delay prompt negative calls from Wall Street, with Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) cutting its price target on the stock to Galactic to $20 a share from $25 per share.

The strong end to the week for the broader market follows several sessions of wild swings recently as it navigates its way through a traditional period of volatility. But it won't be long until the market finds its footing and trends higher.

“September and October tend to be the seasonally weakest parts of the year, while November and December tend to be the seasonally strongest parts of the year,” Keller said.

Epic Financial Group

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