Core Insights - Americans anticipate needing $1.46 million for a comfortable retirement but currently have only $88,400 saved, resulting in a $1.37 million gap [1] - Social Security only replaces 40% of pre-retirement income, and $1 million in investments yields about $40,000 annually, indicating that even $1.46 million may be insufficient for most [2] Group 1: Retirement Savings Gap - The average retirement savings for Americans without financial advisors is estimated at $62,000, while those with advisors have $132,000 saved [6][7] - The significant difference in savings highlights the importance of professional financial advice in retirement planning [5][6] Group 2: Impact of Financial Advisors - 79% of clients with financial advisors have long-term financial plans compared to only 38% of those without [7] - A $132,000 balance at age 45 can grow to $888,000 by age 65 at a 10% return without additional contributions, demonstrating the power of compound interest [7]

Core Insights - Lazard is intensifying its focus on the Financial Advisory segment, which represented nearly 58% of total operating revenues as of September 30, 2025 [1][11] - The firm is expanding its advisory capabilities through targeted senior hiring, new specialized services, and a greater emphasis on high-growth verticals such as Private Capital Advisory [1][3] Financial Advisory Expansion - Lazard plans to add 10-15 net new managing directors (MDs) to its Financial Advisory division each year while maintaining high standards of excellence [2] - Average revenues per MD reached $8.6 million in 2024, climbing to nearly $9 million per MD since then, with a target to surpass $10 million by 2028 [2] Private Capital Advisory - The firm is deepening its connectivity to private capital markets, aiming for private-capital-related activity to account for 50% of total advisory revenues [3] Geographic Expansion - Lazard is broadening its global footprint by adding new offices and expanding its presence in key growth regions, including Europe and the Middle East [4] - This enhanced geographic reach allows access to a wider and more diversified client base, strengthening sector coverage [4] Technology and Productivity - The company is investing in proprietary AI tools, including LazardGPT, to deepen client insights and streamline internal processes [4] - By scaling its MD base and deploying advanced AI tools, Lazard is positioning itself for sustained growth and improved profitability into 2030 [5] Competitive Landscape - Lazard's peers, T. Rowe Price and Federated Hermes, are also strengthening their advisory businesses, with T. Rowe Price's investment advisory revenue constituting 77% of net revenues as of September 30, 2025 [6][7] - Federated Hermes' net investment advisory fees comprised 67.2% of total revenues, supported by a large AUM base and diversified investment strategies [8] Performance Metrics - In the past six months, Lazard shares have gained 24.6%, contrasting with the industry's decline of 3% [9]

On a five-million-dollar portfolio, a tiered approach is common. For example, one percent on the first two million dollars amounts to twenty thousand dollars, while a rate of 0.75 percent on the remaining three million adds roughly twenty-two thousand five hundred dollars. That brings the total to about forty-two thousand dollars a year, which is close to the fifty-thousand-dollar figure she is encountering in her search.Despite the Redditor’s hesitation, a one percent AUM fee is not unusual. It sits square ...

Core Insights - The average fee for financial advisors managing assets is around 1%, with a typical range between 0.5% and 2.0% [9][18] - Clients should evaluate the services provided by their financial advisor to ensure they are receiving value for their fees [18] Fee Structures - Financial advisors can charge various fee structures, including fee-only, fee-based, performance-based, and hourly rates [4][3] - Fee-only services include a range of services for a single percentage fee based on assets under management (AUM) [1][4] - Fee-based services may involve a combination of percentage fees for portfolio management, fixed fees for specific services, and hourly rates for consultations [2][4] Average Fees - The average advisory fee is approximately 1.0%, specifically ranging from 0.95% to 1.02% [9] - Typical hourly fees for financial services range from $120 to $300, depending on the complexity of the services [8] - Standard flat fees for basic services range from $1,000 to $3,000, while comprehensive services for high-net-worth households can range from $7,500 to $55,000 [10] Value for Money - For a portfolio of $2.5 million, clients should expect to pay about $25,000 in management fees annually, with potential for negotiation [14][17] - Clients with significant assets often receive a broader range of services, including financial planning, tax advice, and estate planning [7][15] - Advisors can add value beyond investment returns, with potential benefits averaging between 2.39% to 2.78% annually for clients with advisors [16] Total Costs - Clients should be aware of combined fees, including those charged by third parties, which can increase the total cost of investment [11][12] - Understanding the true total cost of investments is crucial, as additional fees may apply beyond the advisor's management fee [13]

Core Insights - Lazard Inc. reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share of 56 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 41 cents and improving from 38 cents in the same quarter last year [1][9] - The company's revenues increased by 12.4% year over year to $724.6 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.9% [3][9] - Total assets under management (AUM) rose by 16.9% year over year to $264.5 billion, driven by record inflows and market appreciation [7][9] Revenue Performance - Adjusted operating revenues from the Financial Advisory segment were $422.3 million, up 14% from the prior year, exceeding estimates [5] - Asset Management segment adjusted operating revenues increased by 8% to $294.2 million, also surpassing estimates [5] - Corporate segment adjusted operating revenues rose significantly by 46% to $8.1 million, although it fell short of estimates [6] Expense Analysis - Operating expenses increased by 12.2% year over year to $702.9 million, reflecting growth in both Financial Advisory and Asset Management [4] - The adjusted compensation expenses to operating revenues ratio improved to 65.5% from 66% in the previous year [4] - The adjusted non-compensation expenses to operating revenues ratio also improved to 20.5% from 21.4% year over year [4] Balance Sheet and Liquidity - Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.2 billion as of September 30, 2025, marking a 19.8% increase from the prior quarter [10] - Stockholders' equity rose to $878.6 million, up 11.7% sequentially [10] Share Repurchase Activity - In the third quarter of 2025, Lazard repurchased $1 million of common stock, with approximately $159 million remaining available for repurchase [11] Strategic Outlook - The company is focused on organic growth, as indicated by revenue increases in key segments, and a strong liquidity position alongside higher AUM is expected to support financial performance in the near term [12]

Core Insights - The article discusses the various fee structures that financial advisors typically charge, including annual fees, performance-based fees, commission-based fees, hourly rates, and fixed project fees [1][2][4][6][17] - It emphasizes that a 1% management fee is common for comprehensive financial management, but the value received for that fee is crucial to assess [8][9][17] Fee Structures - Financial advisors generally charge a percentage of assets under management (AUM), with 1% being a common rate for comprehensive services [1][6][9] - Performance fees are additional payments based on meeting specific financial benchmarks, while commission structures involve payments for each transaction [2] - Hourly rates can be charged under a retainer model, where clients pay a fixed amount upfront for services billed against that payment [3] Market Comparisons - Typical advisor fees range from 0.5% to 2%, with 1% being in line with market averages [9][17] - For a $2.2 million investment with a 1% fee, total management fees over 10 years could amount to approximately $250,000, assuming an average return of 8% [10] Value Assessment - The article stresses the importance of evaluating whether the services provided by the financial advisor justify the fees charged, particularly if the advisor is not actively managing the portfolio [11][12] - Clients should consider the range of services offered, such as long-term planning, tax advice, and estate planning, to determine the overall value of the relationship [12][19] Conclusion - A 1% management fee is generally acceptable within the industry, but clients must assess if they are receiving adequate value for their investment [17]

Core Insights - Greentree Financial Group, Inc. has signed Luminar Media Group, Inc. as a new client for advisory services [1] - Greentree will provide advisory services to Luminar regarding its planned uplist to a major exchange, either Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) [1] Company Overview - Greentree Financial Group specializes in corporate governance, financial reporting, and public markets compliance [1] - Luminar Media Group operates under the name Fortun through its subsidiaries [1]

Core Insights - Blackstone Inc. is valued at a market cap of $129.2 billion and is a leading global alternative asset management firm, providing financial advisory services and investing across various sectors [1] Financial Performance - Blackstone is expected to release its fiscal Q3 2025 earnings on October 16, with analysts predicting an EPS of $1.24, a 22.8% increase from $1.01 in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast an EPS of $5, reflecting a 7.8% increase from $4.64 in fiscal 2024, with a projected growth of 29.8% year-over-year to $6.49 in fiscal 2026 [3] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, Blackstone shares have increased by 13.3%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's gain of over 16% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund's return of 19.4% [4] - Following the release of stronger-than-expected Q2 2025 results, Blackstone shares rose by 3.6%, with distributable earnings up 25% to $1.6 billion, driven by robust inflows of $52.1 billion [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus view on Blackstone stock is cautiously optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating from 22 analysts; seven recommend "Strong Buy," two suggest "Moderate Buy," 12 indicate "Hold," and one has a "Strong Sell" [6] - The average analyst price target for Blackstone is $182.90, indicating a potential upside of 4.3% from current levels [6]

Core Insights - Building trust with clients requires time and effort, with a focus on connection and understanding beyond just investment returns [2] - Discovery meetings should be framed as opportunities for clients to learn about themselves rather than just for advisors to gather information [3] Group 1: Importance of Questions - Advisors should prioritize asking open-ended questions to encourage clients to reflect on their goals [2][4] - Silence can be a powerful tool during conversations, allowing clients to process their thoughts without feeling pressured [4] - Listening is crucial; understanding clients' true concerns may require digging deeper beyond their initial statements [5] Group 2: Adapting Communication - Advisors must be flexible and adapt their approach in real-time, avoiding a rigid script that may overlook important client insights [6] - Using jargon can alienate clients; communication should be straightforward and relatable [6] - Simple, necessary questions about finances should be asked, while being sensitive to clients' comfort levels in discussing personal matters [8]

Company Overview - CBIZ has over 10,000 employees and more than 160 offices across 22 major markets[12] - The company serves over 135,000 clients, primarily mid-sized businesses, with a client retention rate of approximately 90%[12, 15] - Pro forma revenue for 2024 was approximately $28 billion[12] Financial Performance and Guidance - For the six months ended June 30, 2025, adjusted diluted EPS was $326[83] - The company's revenue growth for the year to date is 664%[53] - 2025 revenue guidance is between $28 billion and $295 billion[53] - The company anticipates an adjusted diluted EPS between $360 and $365 for 2025[53] - The tax rate is approximately 29%[53] Revenue Breakdown - Services account for 84% of the pro forma revenue[20] - Benefits & Insurance Services contribute 14% to the pro forma revenue[21] - National Practices, including IT Managed Services, make up 2% of the pro forma revenue[21] - Recurring services represent approximately 72% of the revenue[24] Marcum Acquisition - The acquisition purchase price is $2285 billion[52] - The transaction is expected to be accretive in 2025, contributing approximately 10% to Adjusted Diluted EPS[40]