Current Research  (DOUBLE CLICK REPORT TITLES FOR MORE  INFORMATION)

NEW: Active Management Unleashed: Addressing Mutual Fund Design Flaws and Reestablishing Value 

The report provides evidence that active managers can, and do, create alpha from their highest conviction stock selections.  It also identifies two solvable structural flaws in mutual fund design that are key factors impacting performance and preventing investment value from reaching the end investor. These fund flaws are estimated to be costing managers 200 to 300 basis points in annual excess return. The 41-page report includes an online survey of Financial Advisors regarding active vs passive management, including surprising results regarding perceived commoditization of active management and advice, an innovative analysis of active managers’ high conviction stock selections, and provides an actionable and low-cost blueprint for active investment managers to fix the structural fund flaws and "unleash" the benefits of their investment skill.   
​For more information, please contact: ​Dennis Gallant, ​GDC Research 508-397-9296 - gallant@gdcresearch.com

​​PRESS RELEASE - Active Management Unleashed

(Click the title below for more information and excerpts from the report)

NEW: RIA Wholesaling Best Practices: A Qualitative Approach to Effective Distribution

The report provides prescriptive insights and employs an in-depth and qualitative approach to understanding the various methods and success factors used by Asset Managers and Product Providers in delivering RIA wholesaling and distribution support.  The research is based on in-depth interviews with Wholesalers and Key Executives from a wide-range of Asset Managers, Mutual Fund Companies, Product Providers, RIA Custodians and related industry vendors and experts.  The research also includes an online survey and in-depth interviews with a variety of RIA practices to understand their perspectives on wholesaling and distribution support.  The report identifies best practices in distribution, approaches for accessing RIAs, and the collection and use of information to identify and evaluate RIA opportunities.  The report assists buyers in developing an effective sales process and distribution strategy and includes a one-hour complimentary consulting session.
​​PRESS RELEASE - RIA Wholesaling Best Practices
​For more information, please contact: ​Dennis Gallant, ​GDC Research 508-397-9296 - gallant@gdcresearch.com

​​Advisors and Retirement Income Support - 2016

This new 85 page, 52 exhibit report focuses on how retirement income delivery is changing given the dynamic marketplace and the ways advisors manage portfolios and support retirement income clients. The report examines the processes, products, and philosophies favored by advisors, their major client, asset management, and practice management concerns/needs, and the type of support they require in building a successful, thriving retirement income offering. The analysis is based on proprietary research fielded in July/August 2016 with input from more than 600 practicing advisors.
For more information, please contact: Dennis Gallant, GDC Research 508-397-9296 - gallant@gdcresearch.com
 
​PRESS RELEASE - Advisors and Retirement Income - 2016
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Digital Advice, Tools and Technology: Advisor Attitudes and Perspectives

The brief report is based on a online advisor survey and presentation conducted for Advisors4Advisors. b Advisors were asked questions to obtain their perspectives and concerns about changing client engagement preferences, use of technology, tools, and social media, serving clients and prospects remotely/virtually, and the level of interest in using digital marketing for product and practice management support.

​To receive a COMPLIMENTARY copy of the survey report, please email gallant@gdcresearch.com
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​Serving Retirement Income Clients: A Best Practice Guide for Advisors
The guidebook is designed to provide prescriptive insights on how to best serve and support clients nearing and in retirement.  The program addresses the opportunity and demand related to retirement income support, how to work with retirement income clients, expanding services and non-traditional support  to meet the needs of retirees, and the key steps in developing an effective retirement income process. 
For more information, please contact: Dennis Gallant, GDC Research  508-397-9296 - gallant@gdcresearch.com

Digital/Remote Advice: Delivering Advice in the 21st Century (2015) (report information)

The report “Remote Advice: Delivering Advice in the 21st Century” by Greenwald & Associates and GDC Research, examines consumer preferences regarding remote investment advice models, including advice only, online computer-based investment models  and also traditional advisor models.  The study is based on in-depth focus groups and an online survey of 1,000 investors by age and affluence, identifies preferences regarding investment activities, attitudes toward investing and finances, remote advice services, online investing tools, and access to an advisor.  
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For more information, please contact: Dennis Gallant, GDC Research  508-397-9296 - gallant@gdcresearch.com

Social Security Support and Financial Advisors: Insights and Opportunities 

The report by GDC Research and Practical Perspectives examines the programs and tools that advisors use today and what types of Social Security capabilities are of greatest importance going forward. The analysis looks in detail at specific elements of Social Security assistance available to advisors, including how engaged advisors are with providing help for Social Security, the providers and sources advisors rely on, the enhancements of greatest interest to advisors, and the impact of these programs and tools on a typical practice. It also provides a detailed profile of different advisor segments to enable product and service providers to craft and implement more targeted and effective marketing and sales support related to Social Security.  
For more information, please contact: Dennis Gallant, GDC Research 508-397-9296 - gallant@gdcresearch.com 

​Additional Research

  • Update: Advisor Best Practices in Retirement Income (4Q 2009)
  • Examining Best Practices in Constructing Retirement Income Portfolios (2Q 2009)
  • Best Practices in Delivering Retirement Income and Transition Support (3Q 2008)

Whitepapers

  • The Fee-Based Discussion - Guiding Clients Through the Advisory Relationship (Pershing LLC)
  • The Delivery of Retirement Income Support - MMI Survey of Platform Providers and Asset Managers - (MMI 2012)
  • Advisor Best Practices in Delivering Retirement Income - (RIIA 2011)
  • Use of Direct Investments in a Diversified Portfolio -  (IPA 2009/2010)
  • Integrated Wealth Management: An Investment Professional’s Guide - (Pershing LLC 2009)
  • Transitioning to Fees: An Investment Professional’s Guide - (Pershing LLC 2008)
  • Advisor Recruitment and Segmentation: Breaking the 80/20 Rule - (BIRST/Success Metrics 2006)