Core Insights - Active ETFs experienced nearly $400 billion in net inflows in 2025, indicating a significant shift in investor access to professional money management [1] - Passive strategies attracted approximately $750 billion, with active ETFs capturing over one-third of total industry inflows [1] - The growth of fully transparent active ETFs contrasts with expectations of semitransparent structures leading the trend, reflecting a change in advisor strategies [2] Active Management Trends - Fixed income is highlighted as a category where active managers are adding value through security selection and duration management [3] - The approval of the ETF share class structure is expected to significantly boost the adoption of active ETFs [3][4] Thematic ETFs Resurgence - Thematic ETFs, previously considered "dead" after the 2022 market downturn, have seen a surprising return with $41 billion in net inflows in 2025 [4] - These inflows are focused on areas such as disruptive technology, infrastructure, and natural resources [4][5] - The ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) launched in April has quickly reached $100 million in assets by targeting underrepresented sectors in the S&P 500 [5] Gold ETFs Recovery - Gold ETFs, including both physical gold and gold mining strategies, have also seen a resurgence in 2025, indicating a reevaluation of asset allocations by investors [6]

Core Insights - Fixed income ETFs experienced record inflows of $51 billion in October, indicating strong interest despite market uncertainty [1] - The U.S. Federal Reserve has implemented two rate cuts this year, with potential for another before year-end, prompting fixed income investors to consider active management strategies [2] - Active ETFs provide flexibility in uncertain markets, allowing investors to adapt to systematic risks such as changing interest rates [3] Active Management Advantages - Active portfolio managers can navigate the complexities of bond markets, adjusting portfolios to align with current market conditions [4] - Active funds serve as flexible, all-weather solutions, enabling tailored investment strategies to meet specific objectives [4] Investment Options - The Thornburg Core Plus Bond ETF (TPLS) is recommended for those seeking core exposure, offering more flexibility than passive index funds [6] - The Thornburg Multi Sector Bond ETF (TMB) is suggested for income diversification, combining active management to enhance income in a rate-cutting environment [7] Educational Resources - A recent webinar featuring Thornburg's Head of Fixed Income discussed the advantages of active ETFs in the context of lower interest rates [8]

Company Information - Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC is a member of NYSE and SIPC [1] Contact Information - The company's address is 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 [1]

Company Overview - Federated Hermes manages $871.2 billion in assets [12, 14] - The company's total revenue for Q3 2025 was $469.4 million [15] - Federated Hermes has $2.9 billion in financial strength and flexibility [10] - The company manages $652.8 billion in liquidity assets [10, 19] Asset Allocation - Long-term managed assets total $218.4 billion, including $94.7 billion in equity, $101.8 billion in fixed income, and $19.0 billion in alternative/private markets [12] - Liquidity assets make up a significant portion of the AUM, totaling $652.8 billion [19] - U.S Financial Intermediaries account for 68% of total assets under management, U.S Institutional accounts for 25%, and International accounts for 7% [31] Financial Performance - Q3 2025 earnings per share were $1.34 [22] - The company declared a dividend of $0.34 [22] - Total revenue less distribution expense was $356 million in Q3 2025, compared to $159 million in Q3 2013 [27] Asset Growth - Equity assets increased by $5.7 billion, or 6%, from $89.0 billion at 06/30/2025 [22] - Fixed-income assets increased by $3.1 billion, or 3%, from $98.7 billion at 06/30/2025 [24] - Liquidity assets increased by $18.4 billion, or 3%, from $634.4 billion at 06/30/2025 [24]

Core Insights - Emerging markets debt is highly suitable for active management due to its responsiveness to various scenarios such as geopolitical events, credit defaults, interest rate fluctuations, and currency volatility [1][2]. Group 1: Active Management Benefits - The Neuberger Berman Emerging Markets Debt Hard Currency ETF (NEMD) is an actively managed fund that can navigate the complexities of the emerging markets bond market, which is often challenging for passive funds [2][3]. - NEMD's active management allows it to avoid including potentially risky issuers in its portfolio, unlike passive funds that may be exposed to dubious entities [3]. Group 2: Economic Resilience - Not all emerging economies are equally resilient; some, like Argentina, have histories of default, while others maintain stronger fiscal positions [3][5]. - Countries with deeper local investor bases have shown greater resilience to global economic shocks over the past 15 years, although an overreliance on a narrow group of domestic investors can pose risks [6]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - Active strategies like NEMD can identify which emerging markets are better positioned to absorb new issuances, benefiting investors by aligning with more stable markets [5]. - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) notes that large developing economies have expanded borrowing through local issuance, while others rely on shorter maturity financing and foreign currency debt [4].

Core Insights - Active management and stock picking may be making a comeback after nearly 30 years of passive investing dominance, driven by higher interest rates, increased stock dispersion, and heightened market volatility [2][4] - The shift towards active management is seen as essential for outperforming the market, with financial advisors recognizing the importance of investment management despite the rise of automated solutions [3][4] Group 1: Market Conditions - Current market conditions are favorable for active investors, with T. Rowe Price highlighting that the combination of higher interest rates and greater stock dispersion provides key ingredients for potential outperformance [2] - Active management is becoming increasingly relevant as passive investing can lead to "diworsification," where overly broad diversification negatively impacts returns [2] Group 2: Advisor Strategies - Financial advisors are beginning to realize that investment management remains crucial, even as many have shifted focus to financial planning and model portfolios [3][4] - Many advisors are now outsourcing portfolio construction, but some, like Kimberly Abmeyer, are achieving significant outperformance through targeted stock selection, with her clients' portfolios outperforming the S&P 500 by 10% this year [4] Group 3: Model Portfolios - Assets in model portfolios reached nearly $8 trillion in April 2023, indicating a strong trend towards this investment strategy [6] - Over 80% of fee-based advisors utilize model portfolios for at least some of their client assets, reflecting the growing acceptance of this approach in wealth management [6]

Core Insights - Canoe Financial LP has received six awards for its alternative funds at the Alternative IQ 2025 Canadian Hedge Fund Awards, highlighting its strong performance in absolute and risk-adjusted returns [1][2] Company Overview - Canoe Financial is one of Canada's fastest-growing independent mutual fund companies, managing approximately $22 billion in assets across a diversified range of investment solutions [3] - Founded in 2008, Canoe Financial is an employee-owned investment management firm focused on building financial wealth for Canadians, with a significant presence in Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal [3] Awards and Recognition - Canoe Energy Alpha Fund LP achieved 1st place for Overall Best 2025 Canadian Hedge Fund based on 10-year return and Sharpe Ratio, as well as 1st place for 5-year and 10-year returns, and 2nd place for 5-year and 10-year Sharpe Ratios [2][7] - Canoe Global Private Equity Fund secured 2nd place for 3-year return in the Private Equity Category [2] Industry Context - The Alternative IQ Canadian Hedge Fund Awards program aims to celebrate the talent and accomplishments of Canada's hedge fund industry while raising awareness of its expertise among the media and investment community [4][5]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut and the potential for further cuts create an opportunity for fixed income investors to seek higher yields through active management, particularly with the MFS Active Intermediate Muni Bond ETF (MFSM) [1][2][3]. Group 1: Interest Rate Environment - The CME Group FedWatch indicator predicts over a 90% chance of additional rate cuts in October and December, indicating a trend towards easing monetary policy [2]. - Federal Open Market Committee member Christopher Waller anticipates further cuts in the next three to six months, driven by incoming economic data [2]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - The downward pressure on yields from cash provides an opportunity for investors to reallocate towards intermediate maturity municipal bonds, which can offer higher income on both absolute and tax-equivalent bases [3]. - The MFS Active Intermediate Muni Bond ETF focuses on intermediate maturity municipal bonds, which are advantageous in the current interest rate environment [3]. Group 3: Benefits of Municipal Bonds - Municipal bonds offer federal tax-free income and stronger credit fundamentals compared to riskier corporate debt, making them an attractive investment option [3][4]. - The investment case for municipal bonds is supported by strong credit fundamentals and attractive yields, emphasizing the importance of active management in this fragmented asset class [4]. Group 4: Active Management Expertise - The MFS Active Intermediate Muni Bond ETF is managed by a team with extensive experience in municipal bonds, which is crucial for navigating the complexities of this market [5][6]. - MFS has been investing in municipal bonds since the 1970s, leveraging a 20-member team that includes legal experts to enhance their investment strategy [6].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the first nine months of 2025, total firm-wide revenue was $2.1 billion, including record Financial Advisory revenue of $1.3 billion [4] - Third-quarter firm-wide revenue reached $725 million, up 12% year-over-year, driven by both business segments [8] - Financial Advisory revenue for the third quarter totaled $422 million, up 14% from the previous year [8] - Asset Management revenue for the third quarter was $294 million, an increase of 8% year-over-year and 10% sequentially [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Financial Advisory was active in M&A across healthcare, industrials, and consumer sectors, with notable transactions including Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals' $6.7 billion deal [8] - Asset Management saw record gross inflows for the third quarter, with total AUM increasing by 17% year-to-date [6][10] - Management fees for Asset Management increased by 6% year-over-year, while incentive fees rose to $9 million from $3 million [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net positive flows of $1.6 billion year-to-date in Asset Management, with AUM reaching $265 billion, a 7% increase from both September 2023 and June 2023 [10] - The effective tax rate for the third quarter was 21.4%, down from 32.5% in the same quarter last year [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term growth strategies, including expanding its team of Financial Advisory Managing Directors and enhancing productivity [15][20] - The introduction of new active ETFs and a focus on quantitative and emerging market strategies are part of the Asset Management growth strategy [17][18] - The company aims to double firm-wide revenue from 2023 to 2030 and deliver an average annual shareholder return of 10% to 15% [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management sees an increasingly constructive environment for advisory activity, despite potential impacts from the U.S. government shutdown [13][14] - The company anticipates continued growth in both M&A and restructuring activities, driven by a diverse range of client needs [14][16] - Management expressed confidence in achieving or exceeding productivity goals, with average revenue per Managing Director increasing to nearly $9 million [15] Other Important Information - The company returned $60 million to shareholders in the third quarter, including a quarterly dividend of $47 million [12] - Chris Hogan will join as CEO of Lazard Asset Management in December, expected to accelerate growth [6][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Hiring environment and talent retention - Management noted strong success in attracting high-quality talent and minimal regrettable departures, indicating a healthy Managing Director pool [25][26] Question: Recent success in Asset Management net inflows - Inflows are primarily from quantitative strategies and emerging markets, with a strong geographic mix outside the U.S. [30][31] Question: Trends in gross outflows - Gross outflows have decreased compared to last year, particularly from sub-advised accounts, with a more promising trajectory outside that category [40] Question: Operating leverage and achieving 60% comp ratio - Management is confident in achieving operating leverage in 2026, driven by improved productivity and strategic hiring [42] Question: Secondary market outlook - The company expects strong trends in the secondary market to continue, with no signs of slowing down [84] Question: Fee rates on inflows and outflows - A small increase in average fee rates was noted, with expectations for stability in the near term [86]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the first nine months of 2025, total firm-wide revenue was $2.1 billion, including record Financial Advisory revenue of $1.3 billion [4] - Third quarter firm-wide revenue reached $725 million, up 12% year-over-year, driven by both business segments [8] - Financial Advisory revenue for the third quarter totaled $422 million, reflecting a 14% increase from the previous year [8] - Asset Management revenue for the third quarter was $294 million, an 8% increase year-over-year and a 10% sequential increase [10] - Compensation expense for the third quarter was $475 million, resulting in a compensation ratio of 65.5%, down from 66% a year ago [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Financial Advisory was active in M&A across healthcare, industrials, and consumer sectors, with notable transactions including Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and Ferrero [4][9] - Asset Management achieved record gross inflows for the third quarter, with year-to-date net positive flows of $1.6 billion and total AUM up 17% [6][10] - Management fees for Asset Management increased by 6% year-over-year, while incentive fees rose to $9 million from $3 million in the same quarter last year [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strong client engagement and demand across investment platforms, particularly in quantitative and emerging market strategies [11] - The effective tax rate for the third quarter was 21.4%, down from 32.5% in the previous year, with an expected full-year 2025 effective tax rate around 20% [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its team of financial advisory managing directors, aiming for a net addition of 10 to 15 MDs per year [16] - The strategy includes enhancing productivity per MD, with average revenue per MD increasing to almost $9 million [17] - The company is also expanding its ETF business, launching six strategies in 2025, and plans to further grow its offerings to reach new clients [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in an increasingly constructive environment for advisory activity, despite potential impacts from the U.S. government shutdown [15][16] - The company anticipates ongoing demand for M&A and restructuring services as businesses adapt to changing market conditions [16] - Management highlighted the importance of active management in areas with information imperfections, which is expected to drive future growth [18] Other Important Information - The company returned $60 million to shareholders in 2025, including a quarterly dividend of $47 million [15] - The hiring of Chris Hodgman as CEO of Lazard Asset Management is expected to accelerate growth and evolution in the asset management business [6][20] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company balance hiring strong talent with compensation leverage? - Management noted success in attracting high-quality talent and emphasized that increased productivity per MD will lead to better compensation leverage over time [30][32] Question: What is the outlook for net inflows in Asset Management? - Management indicated that while there are significant gross inflows, outflows from sub-advised accounts remain a challenge, but overall trends are positive [35][36] Question: How is the restructuring business performing amid recent credit concerns? - Management does not view recent bankruptcies as indicative of broader issues and expects both M&A and restructuring activities to coexist due to increased performance dispersion among firms [70][72] Question: What is the outlook for the secondaries business? - Management expressed confidence in continued strong growth in the secondaries business, expecting it to remain a permanent part of the market environment [88] Question: How are fee rates trending in Asset Management? - Management reported a slight increase in average fee rates due to inflows from higher-fee products, with expectations for stability in the near term [91]