Forget back-testing; all the new ETFs launched this year may need taste-testing first. The ETF industry threw spaghetti at the wall in 2025, unleashing a wave of new funds, and leaving advisors wondering which ones were the perfect al dente. Nearly 800 new exchange-traded funds hit the market in the first three quarters of 2025, blowing past the 746 that debuted in all of 2024. With more than $1.4 trillion in global ETF flows this year, trading volumes hit nearly $60 trillion in the US alone. Advisors now ...

Core Insights - Roth conversions involve transferring funds from a pre-tax retirement account to a Roth IRA, which is funded with post-tax dollars, allowing for tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement [2][3][5] - The conversion increases taxable income for the year of conversion, necessitating careful tax planning to manage the tax implications [1][4][16] Group 1: Roth Conversion Mechanics - A Roth conversion can be executed without limits on the amount, as long as it comes from a qualified pre-tax account [2] - The process can be done through direct deposit or by withdrawing and redepositing funds [2] - Staggered conversions, where smaller amounts are converted over time, can help manage tax brackets and reduce overall tax liability [6][8] Group 2: Tax Implications and Strategies - Converting a large sum at once can push an individual into a higher tax bracket, resulting in a higher effective tax rate [8] - For example, converting $100,000 all at once could incur taxes at a maximum rate of 22%, while staggered conversions could keep the effective rate lower at around 8.01% [8] - It is crucial to consider the growth of the portfolio during the conversion period, as delaying conversions can lead to higher taxable amounts in the future [9][16] Group 3: Planning Considerations - Individuals should assess their current income and future growth when planning conversions to stay within desired tax brackets [11][12] - The 24% tax bracket is a critical threshold, and careful planning is needed to avoid jumping to the 32% bracket [13][14] - Consulting with a financial advisor is recommended to create a tailored strategy for managing retirement income and taxes [4][15]

Core Insights - Interactive Brokers has launched a new Tax Planner tool integrated into its PortfolioAnalyst platform, enhancing its professional tax planning suite for investors [1][3][12] Product Features - The Tax Planner allows users to create personalized tax profiles by incorporating income, deductions, withholdings, and applicable tax rates, estimating year-end tax obligations [2][4] - It enhances tax-loss harvesting by automatically identifying potential opportunities across portfolios, allowing investors to optimize trades and manage tax exposure proactively [5][6] Strategic Importance - The introduction of the Tax Planner reflects a growing demand for greater visibility into the tax impact of trading activities, enabling informed decision-making regarding capital gains and asset allocation [8][9] - The platform consolidates data from multiple financial institutions, providing insights into portfolio performance and risk exposure, thus bridging the gap between retail and institutional-grade technology [9][10] Market Position - The rollout of the Tax Planner cements Interactive Brokers' position as a leader in digital wealth innovation, offering tools that blend transparency, customization, and actionable insights for global investors [12]