1. Top Advisors Don’t ‘Hope’ for a Great Year—They Do These 5 Things in January

Let me ask you a blunt question: If I looked at your calendar and pipeline right now, could I predict your 2026? Because top advisors know something most of the industry forgets every January: January is not a month. It’s a lever. Pull it right, and the rest of the year tilts in your favor. Pull it wrong, and you spend the next 11 months “working hard” just to feel caught up. Here are the Top 5 things top advisors are doing this January to give themselves the best shot at their best 2026—written with the rigor of a McKinsey operating review, but with the human reality of what actually works in a busy practice. And yes: I’m going to make it practical enough that you can implement it before the month ends. — Jeff Thorsteinson

2. How the U.S. Effective Tariff Rate Is Driving Record Customs Revenue

Tariffs were a primary source of revenue early in the United States' history, but beginning in the mid- $130 1930s, a shift toward globalization and a regime of open markets brought with it lower tariffs that $110 persisted for decades. The 2025 tariff increases have pushed the average effective rate to its highest level since 1935. With it though, customs revenue to the U.S. Treasury has surged. This represents a fundamental shift in U.S. trade policy after decades of lower tariff rates. The revenue surge demonstrates how tariffs have become a significant source of government income again. However, the ultimate economic implications on consumer prices, business costs, and international trade relationships, are still unfolding across supply chains and global markets. — Lincoln Financial

3. A Potential Solution for 2026 Market Uncertainty

The exact picture for the U.S. equity market in 2026 is far from set in stone, and the current environment for U.S. stocks seems rather mixed. Fiscal stimulus from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could help create a more favorable condition for U.S. businesses. Furthermore, lower borrowing rates from the Fed may further push the needle in favor of U.S. equities. Meanwhile, this is all happening while AI stocks continue to gain traction. — Calamos

4. Advisors: Be Ready for Trump Account Questions

With the arrival of 2026 comes implementation of many of the provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill, which was passed last July, including the Trump Accounts. In simple terms, the Trump Accounts are IRAs of sorts through which the U.S. Treasury will add $1,000 to those accounts for children born between 2025 and 2028. Predictably, there’s criticism attached to this provision because of, well, the name Trump, but advisors and clients would do well to leave that for the political chattering class to discuss. — Todd Shriber

5. The Biggest Investor Lessons of 2025 for 2026

The S&P 500 ended the first week of 2026 with a gain of roughly 1.1%, marking a positive start to the year. Notably, the index rose in four of the first five trading sessions, driven by strength in energy and financials, as well as a rotation into cyclical sectors. That rotation is something we discussed over the last several weeks, and we are now seeing value outperform growth as market breadth improves. — Lance Roberts

6. Why the 2026 Market Is Already Different

Markets have sprinted out of the starting blocks to kick off 2026. While the Santa Claus rally indicator yielded nothing of merit, the first five trading day indicator blinks bullish for the year to come. Beneath the record highs for headline indices the story gets even better as return laggards over the past three years become return leaders. With productivity soaring, the Mag 7 shouldn’t have all the fun and based upon the early returns in 2026, the party has moved beyond invitation-only to… all are welcome! — David Waddell

7. 3 Reasons Good Clients Leave

With retention rates for financial planning sitting around 90%, losing a long-term client might seem like a scenario out of left field. This situation can catch you off guard, especially when you thought they were happy. However, the reality is that client departures rarely happen on a whim. Instead, this churn most often reflects subtle issues that gradually build up under the surface, going unnoticed until it’s too late. The reasons are often less about financial returns and more about the interpersonal nature (or lack thereof) of the advisory relationship. — Amanda Gonzales

8. The Emotional Currency That Builds Client Loyalty

Loyalty in financial advising isn’t built on numbers. It’s not about delivering the highest returns or offering the lowest fees. It’s about something far more intangible -- emotional currency. This is the trust, care, and understanding you invest in your clients, and it’s what keeps them coming back year after year. Think about it. When a client chooses to work with you, they’re not just looking for financial expertise. — Ari Galper

9. Why the Best Advisor Growth Starts With Helping the Wrong Prospects Self Select Out

In this video, Dr. Sam discusses a challenge most independent advisors eventually face, realizing that not every prospect is a good fit. While many firms focus on generating more leads through referrals, seminars, and online presence, far fewer have a clear process for helping prospects understand the firm’s value proposition before the first meeting. When that understanding is missing, conversations often begin with explanation rather than alignment, leading to inefficiency on both sides. — Clients Blackbox

10. 10 Smart Strategies Financial Advisors Are Using to Start 2026 Strong

What if the fastest way to a great year had nothing to do with production numbers in January? In this episode, I continue a two-part conversation by sharing the last five of ten strategies to help advisors avoid feeling behind before the year even gets started. Based on three decades of coaching experience, I explain why January should be your highest activity month and how focusing on execution over outcomes builds confidence, clarity, and momentum. This is about taking massive, intentional action early so the rest of the year feels more controlled and more predictable. — Joseph Lukacs

11. The AI Boom Isn’t Ending—It’s Hitting a Power Wall (And That’s Where the Money Is)

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been the megatrend driving markets since ChatGPT launched three years ago. One thing I’ve learned over the past decade is that disruptive megatrends can last longer than you can stay interested. And right now, I’m seeing more and more investors asking the same question: “When does the AI boom end?” It’s easy to be down on AI today. It sounds smart. But as we like to say at RiskHedge, “Pessimists sound smart; optimists make money.” In truth, the AI train hasn’t slowed down at all. But 2025 marked a changing of the guard in where the real investment opportunities are showing up. Big tech companies like Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), Meta Platforms (META), and Alphabet (GOOGL) are still doing all the spending. But for investors, the biggest gains are no longer coming from the obvious AI poster children. — Stephen McBride