Tag: Market Volatility
Option Income ETFs: Balancing Income, Growth, and Risk with John Burrello, CFA®, CAIA (Ep. 107)

Option Income ETFs: Balancing Income, Growth, and Risk with John Burrello, CFA®, CAIA (Ep. 107)

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

If you’re considering option income ETFs to help cover retirement expenses, how can you tell whether a high monthly payout is actually helping your portfolio? 

Two funds may offer similar income, but that doesn’t mean they’re delivering the same results. Looking at total return, including changes in investment value, can help you understand the trade-offs.

In this episode, Robert Curtiss talks with John Burrello, Co-head of Global Strategies and Senior Portfolio Manager at Invesco, about how to evaluate option income ETFs beyond their advertised yields. John explains his team’s approach to balancing income, market participation, and defense, including how the stock holdings and option trading process work together. Robert connects those mechanics to living expenses and retirement-account decisions, emphasizing cash distributions alongside changes in investment value.

John discusses:

  • Why total return includes both cash distributions and changes in the ETF’s investment value
  • How mismatches between stock holdings and the options sold against them can create unexpected results
  • How daily option laddering spreads trades across the month rather than placing the entire overlay on one day
  • How adjusting option strike prices supports his team’s objectives for income and market participation
  • Why option income strategies may give up some gains during sharp rallies, and why high distributions can accompany a declining investment value
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with John Burrello:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

John Burrello is a Senior Portfolio Manager for Invesco’s Global Strategies team, which develops and manages derivatives-based investment strategies. In this role, he focuses on outcome-oriented equity and multi-asset investment strategies, including options-based income, hedging strategies, asset allocation, commodities, and global macro.

Mr. Burrello joined Invesco in 2012 as a senior derivatives trader, responsible for options-based strategies and capital markets solutions. In 2016, he transitioned to what is now the Global Strategies team. Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner at Continental Advisors, a Chicago-based hedge fund, where he specialized in equity research, derivative-based risk management, and portfolio construction. Mr. Burrello began his investment management career at UBS O’Connor in 1999.

Mr. Burrello earned a BA degree from Indiana University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charterholder and member of the CFA Society of Atlanta. He is also a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst® (CAIA) charterholder and was a founding chapter executive for CAIA Atlanta.
Behavioral Finance and Better Investment Decisions with Devin Ekberg, CFA, CPWA, CIMA (Ep. 103)

Behavioral Finance and Better Investment Decisions with Devin Ekberg, CFA, CPWA, CIMA (Ep. 103)

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Have you ever wondered why making good financial decisions can feel so difficult, especially when markets become uncertain? 

Even experienced investors can find emotions influencing their decisions during uncertain markets.

In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes Devin Ekberg, Senior Vice President and Senior Consultant in Advisor Education at PIMCO, for a thoughtful discussion about behavioral finance and the psychology behind investing. Together, they explain how fear, excitement, cognitive bias, and decision-making influence financial outcomes. 

They explore how advisors help clients stay focused during periods of uncertainty, why process often matters more than prediction, and how thoughtful guidance can help people make clearer financial decisions over the long term.

Key takeaways:

  • How emotional and cognitive biases influence investment decisions during uncertain markets
  • Why having a written investment process helps reduce reactive financial decisions over time
  • How financial advisors help clients reframe fear into thoughtful, productive action
  • Why trust, communication, and behavioral coaching strengthen long-term financial planning
  • Books and behavioral finance concepts that help investors understand their own decision-making
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Devin Ekberg:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Mr. Ekberg is a senior vice president and senior consultant in advisor education at PIMCO. He provides training to financial professionals on advanced wealth planning topics, including retirement strategies, alternative investments, and goals-based wealth management. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2021, Mr. Ekberg was chief learning officer and managing director of professional development for the Investments & Wealth Institute (IWI), where he led the advisor education programs for advanced credentials in the financial industry. During his tenure at IWI, he oversaw the Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) certification education at the University of Chicago and led the acquisition and development of the Retirement Management Advisor (RMA) certification. He has 20 years of investment and financial services experience and holds a master’s degree from Creighton University. He is a CFA charterholder and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and CPWA designations.
Protecting Your Portfolio During Market Drawdowns with James St. Aubin, CFA®, CAIA® (Ep. 102)

Protecting Your Portfolio During Market Drawdowns with James St. Aubin, CFA®, CAIA® (Ep. 102)

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

What happens to your retirement portfolio when the next major market downturn arrives? Markets can spend years moving higher, making it easy to forget how quickly conditions can change. Preparing for uncertainty often starts long before volatility returns.

In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with James St. Aubin, CFA®, CAIA®, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager at Ocean Park Asset Management, about protecting portfolios during market declines without relying solely on traditional diversification. 

They explore trend following strategies, downside risk management, investor psychology, portfolio construction, changing stock and bond correlations, the strengths and limitations of AI investment tools, and why maintaining a disciplined investment process becomes increasingly important as retirement approaches.

Key points:

  • How trend following strategies seek to reduce large portfolio drawdowns through disciplined investment rules
  • Why diversification alone may not provide enough protection during certain market environments
  • How retirement timing changes an investor’s ability to recover from significant portfolio losses
  • What recent bond market performance reveals about changing stock and bond correlations
  • Why AI investing tools should support, rather than replace, thoughtful financial decision making
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with James St. Aubin:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

James St. Aubin, CFA®, CAIA®, is Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager for Ocean Park Asset Management. He has oversight of all Investment Management department activities, in collaboration with Co-founders David Wright and Kenneth Sleeper.

An experienced investment management executive, his career of more than 20 years includes leadership roles in asset allocation, manager research, and portfolio construction.

James earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from DePaul University and is a CFA® and CAIA® Charterholder.
Private Credit, AI Concerns, and the Power of Diversification with Mark Gatto (Ep. 96)

Private Credit, AI Concerns, and the Power of Diversification with Mark Gatto (Ep. 96)

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Markets shift, headlines create noise, and uncertainty rises, but what actually matters when building a resilient portfolio?

How do you separate real risks from exaggerated fears and position yourself for long-term growth?

In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Mark Gatto, Chief Executive Officer at CION Investments, to discuss the growing attention to private credit and the role of diversification in uncertain markets. They explore how AI concerns are shaping investor sentiment, why fund structure and liquidity matter, and how infrastructure investing offers long-term opportunity. 

Mark also shares insights on manager selection, underwriting discipline, and how individual investors can access strategies once reserved for institutions.

Key takeaways:

  • How private credit continues gaining attention and why concerns around AI disruption may be overstated
  • Why understanding fund structure, liquidity limits, and redemption mechanics is critical for investors
  • How diversification across sectors and geographies helps reduce risk in changing market conditions
  • The difference between direct investing and allocating capital to other managers in private markets
  • Why infrastructure investing presents long-term growth potential across multiple sectors and assets
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mark Gatto:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Mark Gatto is Co-Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Co-President of CION Investment Group, CION Investment Corporation (CIC), and CION Grosvenor Infrastructure Fund.

He is also a Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer of CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund (CADC). Mr. Gatto serves on the investment committee of CIC and the investment allocation committee of CADC.

Mr. Gatto joined CION in 1999. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Acquisitions Officer from May 2007 through January 2008. He served as Executive Vice President of Business Development from May 2006 through May 2007 and Vice President of Marketing from August 2005 through February 2006. He was also Associate General Counsel from November 1999 until October 2000.

Previously, Mr. Gatto served as an executive at a leading international product development and marketing company from 2000 through 2003. Later, he co-founded a specialty business-consulting firm in New York City, where he served as its managing partner before re-joining CION in 2005. He was also an attorney in private practice prior to joining the firm.

Mr. Gatto received an M.B.A. from the W. Paul Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University, a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, and a B.S. from Montclair State University.

FEATURE IMAGE
AI and the Future of Financial Advice with Michael Cy (Ep. 94)

AI and the Future of Financial Advice with Michael Cy (Ep. 94)

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Technology is moving fast, and it’s raising big questions about how decisions get made.

Can tools replace human judgment, or do they simply change how we think, plan, and act?

In this episode, Robert Curtiss welcomes back Michael Cy, advisor consultant, about how artificial intelligence is shaping financial services and what it means for clients. They explore how AI improves efficiency, speeds up research, and enhances communication, while emphasizing the lasting importance of personal advice. The conversation also covers market uncertainty, client anxiety, and how a structured process helps people stay grounded and focused on what they can control.

Key takeaways:

  • How AI speeds up research, tax analysis, and document review, saving hours of advisor time
  • Why client relationships and personal context still matter more than data alone
  • How advisors help filter noise from media, headlines, and misleading information
  • The role of structured processes in keeping clients calm during market uncertainty
  • Why AI works best as a support tool, not a replacement for thoughtful decision making
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Michael Cy:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Michael Cy works closely with financial advisors across the country, helping them refine their processes and strengthen how they serve clients. With years of experience supporting advisory firms, he focuses on improving efficiency, enhancing client communication, and integrating practical tools that elevate day-to-day operations. His perspective blends technology with a strong emphasis on relationships, helping advisors balance innovation with the human side of financial planning.

FEATURE IMAGE
How You Can Build Better Returns in an Uncertain Economy with Zachary Levenick (Ep. 77)

How You Can Build Better Returns in an Uncertain Economy with Zachary Levenick (Ep. 77)

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

In today’s financial world, headlines shift by the hour, and uncertainty feels like the new norm. 

But what if this volatile environment is actually full of opportunity?

In this insightful episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with Zachary Levenick, a seasoned hedge fund executive turned family office investor, about why today’s market isn’t just chaotic, it’s promising. From his global experience managing funds in New York, London, and Latin America, Zach shares his perspective on why volatility may actually signal better potential returns, if you know where to look.

They explore everything from small-cap inefficiencies and underpriced opportunities to the dangers of chasing overvalued giants. Plus, Zach shares why he’s cautious on private credit and where the democratization of alternatives is heading next.

What to expect in this episode:

  • Why wide outcome ranges can unlock better returns
  • What most investors miss about market cycles and timing
  • Where public and private market inefficiencies are hiding
  • How individual investors can access institutional-quality alternatives
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

Connect with Zachary Levenick:

About Our Guest:

Before joining THG, Mr. Levenick was a Principal of Taconic Capital Partners, LP (“Taconic”), a multi-billion dollar New York-based private investment firm. Mr. Levenick co-managed the firm’s London-based European operations and was Portfolio Manager for European Equities investing, where focus areas included consumer products, retail, and general industries. He also established and oversaw Taconic’s public and private investment efforts in Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina, where focus areas included education and logistics. While at Taconic, Mr. Levenick also developed extensive experience in special situations and cross-asset class investing. Mr. Levenick spent 18 years at Taconic, after joining the firm in 2002 as a research associate. Before his career at Taconic, Mr. Levenick worked at J.P. Morgan in investment banking.

Mr. Levenick is a former Director of Barnes and Noble Education (NYSE: BNED).

Mr. Levenick graduated from Harvard College magna cum laude with a degree in History and Literature (Medieval).  He resides with his family in Southern California.  They support a number of educational, outdoor, and local philanthropies in the US and UK.

FEATURE IMAGE
Reading the Market’s Pulse: Breadth, Signals, and Smart Strategy with Miles Clark (Ep. 74)

Reading the Market’s Pulse: Breadth, Signals, and Smart Strategy with Miles Clark (Ep. 74)

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

What do market recoveries, pilot training, and emotional discipline have in common? 

In volatile times, they all remind us that trusting your instruments and your process can make all the difference.

In this quarterly market check-in, host Robert Curtiss, CFP®, welcomes back recurring guest Miles Clark of Dorsey Wright to unpack what’s happening beneath the surface of recent market turbulence. From sector rotations to investor behavior, this episode brings clarity without the noise.

Here’s what you can expect to learn by listening:

  • Why the S&P’s recent rebound may be masking deeper shifts in market breadth and volatility
  • What a 50-year data point reveals about average returns versus real-life experience
  • How international equities and commodities are quietly gaining strength—and what that could mean for portfolios
  • What it takes to stay objective and clear-headed when fear and headlines start to take over
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

Connect with Miles Clark :

About Our Guest:

Miles currently works as a Research Analyst for Nasdaq Dorsey Wright (DWA), a boutique investment advisory and asset management division of Nasdaq focused on providing quantitative strategies to Wall Street and professional money managers globally. Since 1987, DWA has been a recognized expert in relative strength and momentum through the application of Point & Figure (XO) charting, as well as a thought leader in tactical portfolio construction.

Miles joined the DWA team as an intern in 2021 and now creates technical-based analysis and client-facing research in the firm’s Daily Market Analysis segment, with more focused coverage in the communication services, industrials, and cryptocurrency spaces. Other areas of involvement to note include supplementing broad-based technical indicators and research projects, and the creation of weekly media distributed to prospective clients.

FEATURE IMAGE
2025 Economic Insights From Senior Economist, Strider Elass (Ep. 73)

2025 Economic Insights From Senior Economist, Strider Elass (Ep. 73)

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Where is the economy headed amidst all this uncertainty? 

Well, who better to ask than a Senior Economist!

Robert Curtiss sits down with Strider Elass, a Senior Economist from First Trust, to navigate the financial landscape we’re seeing so far in 2025. They discuss the implications of recent policy decisions, historic market volatility, and what they could mean for your investments.

Other key conversation points include:

  • The impact of COVID-19 shutdowns and subsequent policy decisions on the current economic climate [04:17]
  • The “payback period” we’re entering due to recent economic stimuli [04:55]
  • The role of the Magnificent Seven companies in stock market fluctuations [08:39]
  • The transformative power of AI across different sectors, reminiscent of the dot-com boom [11:09]
  • Strategies for navigating economic slowdowns and the importance of diversification in uncertain times [18:13]
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Strider Elass:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Strider Elass is Senior Economist and part of the First Trust Economics Team that Bloomberg has consistently ranked as one of the top forecasters of the U.S. economy over the past decade plus.

At First Trust, Strider is responsible for analyzing economic indicators, writing economic commentaries, and building content. In 2022, The First Trust Economic Team was rated the Most Accurate Economic Forecasters in the United States by Consensus Economics.

The team also won multiple Gold Medals from Financial Advisor IQ in both 2020 and 2021 for Macro Commentary, overall content, and commentary and was also rated 2nd for Thought Leadership by Fuse Research.

The First Trust Economics Team has been awarded the “Crystal Ball Award” by Zillow® in partnership with Pulsenomics over multiple years for accurate home price predictions. In 2017, First Trust’s thought leadership material was ranked as number one for most read and most shared by financial professionals with colleagues or clients in the “Top 10 Financial Providers for Thought Leadership Activity.”

Strider was instrumental in researching for the book, It’s Not As Bad As You Think, published in 2009 by First Trust’s Chief Economist, Brian Wesbury. Strider’s contribution to the team’s success goes beyond his research responsibilities. He is also a highly sought-after speaker and regularly presents at broker and retail events across the country and abroad, sharing his experience with a wide audience.

FEATURE IMAGE
How To Cut Through Modern-Day Financial Noise with Gary Sinderbrand (Ep. 72)

How To Cut Through Modern-Day Financial Noise with Gary Sinderbrand (Ep. 72)

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

In a world filled with financial noise, how do you know which signals actually matter? 

Join Robert Curtiss as he chats with Gary Sinderbrand, a seasoned financial professional with roots going back to their days at Merrill Lynch. 

They unravel years of insights on keeping your financial journey on track. Delving into tales from the trading floor to personal anecdotes from the ski slopes, Curtiss and Sinderbrand uncover strategies for managing financial anxieties and the importance of a disciplined, rules-based approach.

Key discussion points include:

  • Navigating financial fear in today’s world [00:05:00]
  • Effective strategies for overcoming biases in investing [00:07:00]
  • The significance of process and discipline in wealth management [00:31:00]
  • Analyzing market signals amidst the noise [00:33:00]
  • Real-world examples of market volatility and client management [00:41:00]
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Gary Sinderbrand:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Gary Sinderbrand brings a rare combination of elite production experience and transformative training expertise to your doorstep. As the co-creator of the influential Payne-Sinderbrand Program at Merrill Lynch—which helped shaped the careers of over 12,000 Financial Advisors—he has a proven ability to develop systems that drive extraordinary results at scale.

Gary’s journey spans decades as both a top-tier producer and a practice management innovator. This dual perspective allows him to see opportunities others miss and implement strategies others can’t teach because they haven’t lived them.

At BetterPath Training, we meet you exactly where you are. For next-generation advisors building books from scratch, Gary provides battle-tested client acquisition methodologies that bypass years of costly trial and error. For seasoned FAs preparing for succession, you can expect comprehensive frameworks for legacy planning, revenue optimization, and workload management that protect the practice you’ve worked so hard to build.

Your path to exceptional results starts with exceptional guidance. That’s the BetterPath promise.

FEATURE IMAGE
How to Build a Diversified Investment Portfolio with Phil Huber, CFA, CFP®(Ep.70)

How to Build a Diversified Investment Portfolio with Phil Huber, CFA, CFP®(Ep.70)

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Are you ready to unlock the potential of alternative investments in your portfolio?

Join Robert Curtiss as he sits down with repeat guest Phil Huber from Cliffwater to explore the dynamic world of alternative investments. 

The episode delves into the benefits of diversification, the current volatility in global markets, and the strategic role of private debt and equity. Discover why modern investors can’t afford to ignore these opportunities and how they’ve helped portfolios remain robust amidst market uncertainty.

Other key discussions include:

  • Broad asset allocation outlook and capital market assumptions [00:01:52]
  • The role and expectations of traditional versus private asset classes [00:05:22]
  • Differences in stock valuation between US and non-US stocks [00:05:53]
  • Performance insights and misconceptions about private markets [00:22:17]
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Phil Huber:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Phil is a Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Solutions for Cliffwater, based in their Chicago office. In this role, Phil leverages his prior experience as a wealth management CIO to produce and curate investment research, advise on product strategy and positioning for the firm’s growing platform, and help establish and strengthen relationships with the nation’s leading wealth management firms.

Prior to joining Cliffwater, Phil was the Chief Investment Officer for Savant Wealth Management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, has attained his Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation, and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Archives

Categories