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Why the 351 Exchange Might Revolutionize Investing

The 351 exchange seems to be gaining real traction. A section 351 exchange allows investors to exchange property for shares of a new company. In the case of ETFs, investors are able to exchange their appreciated holdings for shares of a new exchange-traded fund without immediately triggering capital gains, if rules and tests are met. Still, many are wondering what the basis is for using a century-old tax rule and applying it to a modern investment wrapper. More importantly, if 351 exchanges are not tools for achieving portfolio diversification, why are they being used to seed ETFs?

The Long Volatility Premium: Short the Market, Get Paid?

Long volatility should be considered a factor that earns positive returns over the long term. At least that's what One River Asset Management’s Patrick Kazley suggests in his piece "Heretical Thinking: The Long Volatility Premium"

Low-Cost Financing via Short Box Spreads: A Primer for Financial Advisors

It is well-known that box spreads offer investors the ability to lend via the options market at similar rates to Treasury Bills. But there is another, less popular side of the box spread market – borrowing money. This articles dives into the mechanics of how to use box spreads to borrow at low costs.

Anti-Dividend Investing: Yield Matters—But Not How You Think!

Dividends are the comfort food of investing. Who wouldn’t love feeling like they’re getting a seemingly “free” payout just for holding onto a stock? As with all good things, there's a little more—perhaps a whole lot more—to the story. Here’s why: even in a tax-free setting, selling stocks before dividend payouts can lead to abnormal returns.

Box Spreads: An Alternative to Treasury Bills?

Box spreads represent an opportunity to borrow and lend via the options market, at similar (and often better) rates than those that are available in the treasury bill market.

Does Emerging Markets Investing Make Sense?

The analysis above suggests that portfolios that include or exclude emerging allocations are roughly the same. For some readers, this may be a surprise, but for many readers, this may not be "news." That said, even if the data don't strictly justify an Emerging allocation, the first principle of "stay diversified" might be enough to make an allocation.

Of course, the assumptions always matter.

How to Start an ETF? Resources and FAQ

We get the following question at least 1x a day: "How do I start an ETF? Because we have so many requests for information on the topic of "How to Start an ETF?", Wes asked that I compile a list of materials on the topic and a "FAQ" to address all of your burning questions.

ETF-prenuers: An Introduction to ETF White Label Services

Interested in starting an ETF? Interested in converting a managed account, hedge fund, or mutual fund into an ETF? Simply want to learn more about [...]

1042 Qualified Replacement Property: An Overview of ESOP Rollover Strategies

Executive Summary Employee Stock Ownership Plans (“ESOP”) offer a variety of liquidity, tax and operating benefits to business owners who are contemplating a sale or [...]

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