Eight months into his role as president & head of advisor & intermediary solutions, Canada at Russell Investments, Jonathan Needham has been steering the firm’s Canadian business through a market where record-setting equity highs coexist with growing interest in alternatives.

Needham, who left a role as an inside wholesaler at Fidelity Investments 22 years ago, spoke with Investment Executive at the Future Proof Festival in Huntington Beach, Calif., about market trends and investor demand. He said alternatives remain popular because they “have long-term portfolio construction and diversification benefits,” and investors are wary of elevated valuations in technology and other high-flying stocks.

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Many clients struggle with cash flow, debt and underfunded retirement plans, but they rarely bring it up themselves. Advisors who proactively identify these opportunities can help clients boost savings and retire debt sooner — check out Stephanie Holmes-Winton’s latest column.

A cybersecurity firm is pushing back in court against Advocis, denying all counterclaims and alleging the association ended their contract to cut costs. Michelle Schriver has the story.

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