Core Insights - Ashton Thomas Private Wealth has acquired a Sarasota-based advisory team managing approximately $1.5 billion in assets, enhancing its investment capabilities [1][2] - Don Hagan, a co-founder of Day Hagan, will assume the role of Chief Investment Officer at Ashton Thomas, bringing model-driven investment strategies and market insights [2][3] - The acquisition marks Arax Investment Partners' fifth deal this year involving firms with over $1 billion in client assets, indicating a strategic growth focus [4] Company Developments - The newly acquired team from Day Hagan includes five advisors and has a history of collaboration with Ashton Thomas through its asset management division [2] - Hagan's transition to CIO is expected to leverage expanded resources and deeper research capabilities for Ashton Thomas [3] - Arax Investment Partners, which owns Ashton Thomas, is a portfolio company of RedBird Capital, known for its diverse investments across financial services and sports [4][5]

Company Overview - GAMCO Investors, Inc. ("Gabelli") is a recognized provider of investment advisory services, managing 27 open-end funds, 13 closed-end funds in the U.S., and one limited investment company in the U.K. [2] - The company also manages 5 actively managed exchange-traded funds and serves approximately 1,900 institutional and private wealth management investors primarily in the U.S. [2] Financial Performance - As of September 30, 2025, Gabelli reported assets under management (AUM) of $35.0 billion, an increase from $32.2 billion at the same date in 2024, reflecting a growth of approximately 8.7% year-over-year [1] - The company anticipates reporting third quarter 2025 diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.66 to $0.72, compared to $0.69 per share for the third quarter of 2024 [1] Investment Strategies - Gabelli launched its All Cap Value equity strategy in 1977 and entered the mutual fund business in 1986, offering a diverse set of client solutions across various asset classes, including equities, debt instruments, and merger arbitrage [3] - The company serves a broad client base, including institutions, intermediaries, offshore investors, private wealth, and direct retail investors [3]

Core Insights - EP Wealth Advisors has signed an agreement with Ares Management for a significant minority stake acquisition, enhancing its growth strategy with nearly $40 billion in assets under management [1][2] - The deal is expected to close next month, with management retaining control over the company and its board, while co-founders will maintain meaningful ownership [2] - EP recently issued a $400 million seven-year term loan and a $100 million five-year revolving credit facility, receiving credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Moody's, indicating its strong market position [3][5] Company Strategy - The partnership with Ares is seen as a strategic move to bring in a second minority investor alongside Berkshire Partners, aimed at accelerating growth in a sustainable manner [4][6] - A portion of the capital from the deal will be used for liquidity in secondary markets, including repurchasing shares from retiring employees and providing liquidity to long-term shareholders [7]

Core Viewpoint - Sichuan QianKun Cloud Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. has been ordered to rectify its operations due to inadequate securities investment advisory management and compliance mechanisms, reflecting broader issues within the third-party advisory industry in China [2][3][4]. Group 1: Company Issues - Sichuan QianKun Cloud has been penalized twice this year for compliance issues, including inadequate management mechanisms and misleading promotional practices [3][4]. - The company was found to have violated the Interim Regulations on Securities Investment Advisory Business, leading to administrative supervision measures [3]. - The company, established in 1997 with a registered capital of 30 million yuan, offers various financial services, including investment consulting and asset management [3]. Group 2: Industry Overview - A total of 53 penalties have been issued to third-party advisory institutions this year, with over half related to misleading promotional practices [6][7]. - Beijing Tianxiang Wealth Management Co., Ltd. has received the highest number of penalties, totaling four, indicating a trend of compliance issues across the industry [6]. - The most common violations include misleading advertising and unqualified personnel providing advisory services, with 28 out of 53 penalties citing misleading promotions [7].

MAI Capital Management is continuing its aggressive acquisition campaign with the addition of two registered investment advisory firms this month that together manage nearly $1.2 billion in assets.Barron's AdvisorRead MoreWelcome to Barron's Advisor! Our articles are free to Barron's subscribers and wealth management professionals. To subscribe to Barron's, click here. If you're a wealth managment professional and would like access to the Barron's Advisor experience, please provide the information below.If ...

Core Viewpoint - U.S. Global Investors, Inc. continues to pay monthly dividends amid a strong gold market, highlighting the company's focus on gold mining stocks and the airline industry [1][3]. Dividend Announcement - The Board approved a monthly dividend of $0.0075 per share starting in October 2025, with record dates on October 14, November 10, and December 15, and payment dates on October 27, November 24, and December 29 [2][8]. - Based on the closing price of $2.48 on September 15, 2025, this dividend yields an annualized rate of 3.63% [2]. Gold Market Insights - Gold prices have reached historic highs in 2025, driven by central bank purchases, persistent inflation, and global political uncertainties [3]. - The average all-in sustaining costs (AISC) for gold mining are around $1,500 per ounce, while spot prices exceed this, resulting in significant profit margins for miners [3]. - The NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index has achieved all-time highs, with many mining companies reporting triple-digit gains year-to-date [3]. Investment Opportunities - The U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) provides targeted exposure to gold mining, combining traditional producers with royalty and streaming companies [4]. - GOAU reached a record intraday high of $37.75 per share on September 19, 2025, nearly doubling its price since the beginning of the year [5]. - As of June 30, 2025, GOAU held 29 companies with a weighted average market cap of $10.9 billion, including major royalty firms like Wheaton Precious Metals and Franco-Nevada [5]. Performance Metrics - The U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF reported total annualized returns of 56.93% for one year as of June 30, 2025 [9].

You can find original article here Wealthmanagement. Subscribe to our free daily Wealthmanagement newsletters. Two Pennsylvania-based registered investment advisors are merging to create a $9 billion RIA combining an institutional-focused firm with a predominantly wealth management business. BilkeyKatz Investment Consultants, which works with institutional clients with assets ranging from $20 million to $1 billion, and Oakmont Capital Management, which has about $650 million in assets under man ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the belief in the efficiency of financial markets and the notion that most stocks reflect their real current value, suggesting that the best investment opportunities arise from less-followed stocks or those mispriced in their markets [1]. Group 1 - The author has over 20 years of experience in the financial world, serving as an advisor, teacher, and writer [1]. - The article advocates for the free-market system, highlighting its role in determining stock values [1]. - It suggests that individual investors may overlook certain stocks, creating potential profit opportunities for those who conduct thorough research [1].

Core Viewpoint - GAMCO Investors, Inc. ("Gabelli") is scheduled to present at the Sidoti Small-Cap Conference on September 17, 2025, highlighting its investment advisory services and diverse client solutions [1]. Company Overview - Gabelli was established in 1977 and is recognized for providing investment advisory services to 27 open-end funds, 13 closed-end funds in the U.S., one investment company in the U.K., and 5 actively managed exchange-traded funds [1]. - The company manages approximately 1,900 institutional and private wealth management investors primarily in the U.S., with revenues primarily based on assets under management and associated fees [1]. - Gabelli launched its All Cap Value equity strategy in 1977 and entered the mutual fund business in 1986, offering a diverse set of client solutions across various asset classes, regions, market capitalizations, sectors, and investment styles [2]. Client Base - Gabelli serves a broad client base that includes institutions, intermediaries, offshore investors, private wealth, and direct retail investors [2].

Group 1 - The article discusses the perspective of Mark Spitznagel, who argues that diversification is not the ultimate solution for investors and emphasizes the importance of building a portfolio that can withstand market crashes [2][3] - Spitznagel highlights the current economic environment, citing high national debt and aggressive Federal Reserve rate hikes as contributors to what he describes as the "greatest credit bubble in human history" [2] - He predicts an 80% market crash in the future, asserting that the recent market correction is merely the beginning of a larger downturn [3] Group 2 - The article mentions the role of gold as a safe haven asset during market uncertainty, noting its historical performance as a hedge against inflation [5] - It discusses the potential of commercial real estate as a stable investment option, which has shown lower volatility and a low correlation to the S&P 500, with average returns of 10% over the past two decades [8] - Crowdfunding platforms are highlighted as a means for investors to access real estate markets without the burden of direct property management, allowing investments starting as low as $100 [11][12] Group 3 - The article points out that contemporary art has emerged as a unique investment opportunity, outperforming the S&P 500 with an annual return of 11.5% from 1995 to 2023 [14] - Masterworks is introduced as a platform that allows retail and accredited investors to invest in blue-chip art, providing access to exclusive shares in works by renowned artists [15]