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Thoughts on financial advisors stock picking?

Posted on 2/16/26 at 8:58 am
Posted by TigahsOnTop
Member since Nov 2022
159 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 8:58 am
I just learned my parents’ financial advisor picks about 15 stocks and just rebalances (solely US large cap). When I pushed back, he claimed that’s the only way to “beat the market”. Has anyone else had encounters with advisors not just indexing in this day and age? I was honestly perplexed, and I feel like that is straight malpractice given the research that indices produce better returns (relative to risk).
Posted by Lsu05
Member since Oct 2023
87 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 9:10 am to
They don’t want the clients to see how easy/effective it is to just invest in VOO, VTI, and QQQ and not have to pay them a fee to do so.
This post was edited on 2/16/26 at 9:11 am
Posted by TheOcean
#honeyfriedchicken
Member since Aug 2004
45494 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 9:16 am to
Most FAs are terrible. You are better off just investing in low fee vanguard ETFs 90%+ of the time
Posted by Weekend Warrior79
Member since Aug 2014
21153 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 9:36 am to
How does he earn his fees. Does he receive a commission per transaction? A percentage of assets under management?

I'd assume if it's a percentage of assets under management, then he has strong feelings about these stocks (or your parents and him picked them), and he's using this as a method of "controlling the risk". Then again, if this were the case, he'd probably just use new investments to "fix the imbalance".

If it's a commission, then he's most likely using the line about "controlling the risk/beat the market" to beef up his sales. Because he could just use new investments to balance the portfolio
Posted by TorchtheFlyingTiger
1st coast
Member since Jan 2008
3000 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 9:57 am to
What's his track record? Has he consistently beaten the market for them? I know most don't but just curious if he happens to be one of the lucky/good ones.
Posted by cadillacattack
the ATL
Member since May 2020
10178 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:43 am to
If you want something done right, do it yourself….
Posted by castorinho
13623 posts
Member since Nov 2010
87094 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 1:50 pm to
The best value in advisors in this day and age with the information out there, is in tax planning.
Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
14349 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 1:53 pm to
The robo advisor at Schwab I use is averaging 20% returns since 2023 when I started using it. I don't trust people, so it works out.
Posted by masoncj
Atlanta
Member since Jun 2023
627 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 2:42 pm to
Exactly

Why CFP is also my CPA and that is the only reason I have a CFP

Posted by Everyday Is Saturday
Member since Dec 2025
459 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 2:52 pm to
quote:

advisors indexing


Oxymoron

Index (you do not need advisor for this)!

Do not underestimate value of time (n)
Do not overestimate ‘beating mkt’ (k)

(1+k)^n

Leverage time and go enjoy your life.
Posted by Willie Stroker
Member since Sep 2008
16136 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 5:00 pm to
quote:

They don’t want the clients to see how easy/effective it is to just invest in VOO, VTI, and QQQ and not have to pay them a fee to do so.

I agree. But haven’t those just mirrored the S&P 500 over the past 2 years?
Posted by UltimaParadox
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2008
52191 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 5:32 pm to
quote:

But haven’t those just mirrored the S&P 500 over the past 2 years?


Is that a bad thing? Basically every advisor underperforms the index over time.

Anyone who says they consistently beat the market is most likely lying
Posted by horsesandbulls
Destin, FL
Member since Jun 2008
5180 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 5:50 pm to
quote:

lying


Or committing fraud. Sometimes both.
Posted by TorchtheFlyingTiger
1st coast
Member since Jan 2008
3000 posts
Posted on 2/16/26 at 7:43 pm to
I DYI, but advisors can be valuable for sticking to a strategy for those that would otherwise panic sell. Many people need their hands held. For instance, I recently found out my mom went 100% bonds in her 401k when she retired out of fear. She should have used an advisor or talked to me first.
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