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The Modelist Blog.
A Source for Actionable Insights.


The Real Arithmetic of Managing Money: Rethinking the Total Cost of Ownership Without Losing Control
Modelist gives you a way designed to reduce the total cost of ownership, without giving up the control or customization that makes your firm unique. You stay in the driver’s seat. We provide the engine.


The U.S. Budget Deficit, Exports, and a New Way to Think About Market Allocation
A back-tested, rules-based model using the budget deficit-to-export ratio


What Every Advisor Should Know About the US Dollar—and Why It Matters for Your Clients
The US dollar isn’t just a currency—it’s a global anchor that touches everything from trade policy to treasury yields to your clients'...


Four Questions on the Minds of Investors Today
Recent market volatility has raised important concerns among investors. Amid fluctuations and uncertainties, it is crucial to understand...


Custom Models? More Like Slightly Editable Models.
Custom Models? More Like Slightly Editable Models.


The US Trade Deficit: Myths, Realities, and Tariff Issues
Trump is more focused on imports than the overall trade deficit and sees tariffs as a tool to restore US manufacturing jobs.


Valuing the Magnificent Seven: Overhyped or Fairly Priced?
Valuing the Magnificent Seven: Overhyped or Fairly Priced?


Unwrapping the Santa Claus Rally and Seasonal Trends
As the holiday season approaches, we thought it would be fitting to explore the seasonal effects that occur around the end of the year...


Bridging Expertise and Innovation: Meet Alex Graf, Modelist’s New Head of Model Integration
Interview with Alex Graf


Navigating the Post-Election Economy: Joe Mallen Interviews Kent Peterson, PhD
In a recent discussion, Joe Mallen, CEO of Modelist, sat down with Kent Peterson, CIO of Modelist, to discuss the state of the economy...


The Why Behind Modelist: A Mission of Trust and Partnership
People don't buy what you do. They buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.


From Podium to Profit: Translating Political Promises into Market Moves
This analysis bridges the gap between political discourse and investment strategy...


Productivity: The Hidden Ace in US Stock Performance
What causes one country’s stock market to outperform others? Over longer periods (more than five years), higher relative earnings growth...


Tokyo Drift: How the Yen Carry Trade Is Impacting Global Markets
Explore the Japanese Yen carry trade's impact on global markets, its risks and rewards, and how it affects currencies, stocks, and economic


Grow YOUR Brand, Not Theirs: The Power of Custom Investment Models
As an independent financial advisor, your unique value proposition sets you apart from the competition and attracts clients. Offering...


From Paris to D.C.: Market Reactions to European Elections
The influence of politics and policy on stock and bond markets is significant, yet often subtle due to its gradual impact. Financial...


Beyond Stocks and Bonds: The Allure and Complexity of Managed Futures
Managed futures, Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), and systematic trend-following funds are investment strategies that: Trade in futures...


Embracing Humility: How Modelist Helps Advisors Remove Ego from Investment Management
Introduction: With most investment models, ego often takes center stage, with third-party solutions heavily relying on the power of their...


Priced Out: The Perfect Storm Squeezing U.S. Home Buyers
Over the last 5 or so years, the American dream of buying a home has taken a hit, as a combination of factors, which we will explore,...


AI, Inflation, and Instability: Crosswinds of the 2024 Stock Market
Originally posted on April 17, 2024, updated on April 19, 2024. The last few weeks for stocks have seen a slow decline, culminating in...


Cutting Rates, Cutting Returns: The Impact of Fed Policy on Asset Classes
The Federal Reserve has declared its intention to cut interest rates three times this year, barring a significant rise in inflation,...


What Happens After S&P 500 Valuations Stretch
Over the last year, despite higher interest rates, the S&P 500 has surged by 28%, primarily propelled by a few large-cap growth stocks...


Joe Mallen on Trends with Benefits podcast
Check out our CEO, Joe Mallen, on the latest podcast from our friends at VanEck. Find it here: https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/blogs/trends-...


Evaluating the Immense Scale of Microsoft and Apple: Key Metrics and Comparisons
The leading tech giants, commonly referred to as the 'Magnificent Seven', have witnessed a year of remarkable gains, with Microsoft...


Essential Q&A Guide to Bitcoin ETFs
Q: What happened and why is a Bitcoin (BTC) ETF now available? By way of background, Bitcoin (BTC) was the first major cryptocurrency,...


A View from the Top: A Brief Interview with Kent Peterson, PhD, Modelist's CIO
We’re thrilled to present a brief but enlightening interview with Dr. Kent Peterson, the Chief Investment Officer at Modelist. With an...


Navigating Economic Signals: Understanding PMI as a Recession Indicator
Survey-based indicators can serve as compasses for the US economy. Among these, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for manufacturing...


What is Relative Strength Investing?
Understanding Relative Strength Investing Relative strength investing is a dynamic investment strategy that focuses on comparing the...


The Curious Case of Credit Spreads in a Rising Fed Funds Rate Environment
Introduction We've witnessed intriguing trends in the behavior of credit spreads for A and BBB-rated bonds amidst the backdrop of a...


Navigating Inflation: An Updated Look at Asset Class Performance
Introduction: Inflation has become a pressing concern in recent years, leaving its mark on economies and impacting the prices of goods...


Unveiling the Power of Evidence-Based Investing: A Data-Driven Approach
In the world of investment advice, evidence-based investing has emerged as a game-changer. This investment strategy leverages data and...


Introducing Modelist: Empowering Financial Advisors with Custom Model Portfolios
[Minneapolis, MN] - Modelist, a groundbreaking venture founded by industry expert Joe Mallen, is thrilled to announce its official...
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